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steel discs different sizes
By valterra, Section Mechanical Posted on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 07:31:15 PM MST
i have some discs and am wondering if theyd work

I have some steel discs... 16 inch diameter with a 3 inch hole. looking at the ones our hosts sell, I am wondering if my discs would work with a dexter hub.
the center hole is 3 inches, a quarter inch larger than the ones they use in their projects. I am stupid about how the parts all fit together, and am thinking that the size of the center hole doesn't matter as much as the "size" of the drilled holes... as long as the center hole is large enough to fit over the hub's center.
Or is there a 3 inch hub that I would have to use?
I may be able to get a lot of these discs. they are about 1/4 inch thick, are rusty, but otherwise is great shape:
Diameter - 14 or 16 inches
Center Hole - 3 inches
Thickness - 1/4 inch

steel discs different sizes | 11 comments (11 topical)

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by disaray1 on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 02:32:38 PM MST

They'll work- just need to get the bolt spacing right. How many do you have? Gimme some ademdam discs! Rust doesnt matter.

David

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by wind pirate on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 05:21:53 PM MST

Your assumption is correct. The center hole needs to fit over the center of the hub, and be smaller diameter than the bolt pattern which depending on the hub you buy can be 4x(?4 I think), 5x 4.5 (Ford) 5 x 5 (Chebby)- that means 5 holes in a 4.5 or 5.0 diameter.

So as long as the 3" fits over the center of the hub to fit against the face, you should be good to go. The rust - just hit it with a grinder or belt sander and knock it down. The hub I got from etrailer.com is 5x5 and is just 3" needed for the center hole.

I think you've struck gold although the larger diameter and powerful magnets for a good 10' machine (using 2"dia mags) - 1/4" is a little thin. They should be 3/8" or better. Using smaller magnets, say (12) 2x1x1/2, quarter inch plate should be fine.

I'm sure others can give examples of what they use.

Read Dan's chronicles of dual rotor design and manufacture here on the site. You will get to understand what is involved.

Here's an drawing that shows the pattern and the magnets on the outside.

Welcome to the addiction........

Arrghhhhh mate
WP

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by wdyasq on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 06:00:56 PM MST

IMO, the most difficult thing will be properly marking the holes. As Wind Pirate said those are the hole patterns. The six hole pattern actually has some advantages for a 3 blade mill.

IF all the center holes are indeed centered you build a good template that will have the 5 major hole patterns on one piece.

Standard hole patterns:

4 X 4"; 5 X 4.5"; 5 X 5"; 6 X 5.5"; 8 X 6.5"

Good Luck,

Ron
Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by valterra on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 07:51:41 PM MST

Hole patterns shouldn't be a problem. I can use a CAD program to make a full-sized mask and mark the holes for the 14 and 16 inch discs. I have to check at work, but I believe that I can drill them with a drill press.

If anyone is interested in these, please let me know. I have to buy them in bulk (at least 125 lbs.) and I'm not sure what they weigh individually. I'll weigh them tomorrow, and that'd help me figure out shipping costs.

I'll sell them for $10 apiece plus shipping. Cheap, yeah, I know. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? Send me an email to discs(at)jeharper.com if you're interested.

By the way, I don't think it'd be necessary to veer off course from The Dans' designs. I'd venture to say that you should be able to make the ring of magnets any size you like, even still using The Dans' molds. Of course, with these larger discs, you can squeeze more magnets into the same place. In fact, I plan to follow their design to a tee. Any money I make off these discs is going into my magnet fund! :-)

I'll post more information about these as I get it... weight, etc.

[ Parent ]

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by valterra on Tue Aug 07, 2007 at 10:05:03 AM MST

Well, I spoke too soon. everything at my work is steel... except for these discs! they are menganese!!!

sorry for any false hope there, guys.

[ Parent ]

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by CreativePower on Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 08:15:50 AM MST

So are you still interested in selling these types of disks? I potentially have some application for them.

DF

[ Parent ]

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by valterra on Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 08:46:28 AM MST

yes, so long as it is clear that these are NOT steel or iron after all, but manganese.

[ Parent ]

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by CreativePower on Sun Aug 12, 2007 at 08:58:59 AM MST

Contact me via email to discuss further details - thanks

DF

[ Parent ]

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by ZooT on Tue Aug 07, 2007 at 11:29:10 AM MST

It's most probably a steel alloy containing manganese for high shock, high stress, high abrasion applications.....check em' with a magnet.......

Re: steel discs different sizes (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by valterra on Tue Aug 07, 2007 at 02:37:54 PM MST

yep! that's how I found out! magnet no sticky. ;)

[ Parent ]

dexter part number (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by valterra on Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 08:42:54 AM MST

on the rotor page, it says:

The hub is Dexter part number 81- 9A

but I can't find that on dexter's website. is there a different part number or specs I can use? I want to get the right thing. Or if the dans sell it, I suppose I could buy from them too! Anyone know?

steel discs different sizes | 11 comments (11 topical)

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