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Willing to help in my fab shop
By Ideal Fabrications, Section Mechanical Posted on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 10:02:35 PM MST
Ideal Fabrications

Hello to All,
I am new to this site. I came upon it by accident and really enjoyed the topics. I am writing this post because I would like to let people know that I would be happy to work with others that share an interest in renewable resorces. I am a 51 year old retired guy and I have lots of time, and a real nice "Hobby Shop" for steel fabrication including a 6" X 12" CNC Plasma Table, Machine Lathe, Brake, Roll, Drill Press, American Bender tool, Fork Lift and lots of other "Toy's". I recently designed and built a 33" X 34" wind turbine from 16ga aluminum. I know fabrication, but nothing about electrical stuff for this type of application. I live near Green Bay Wisconsin, and would like to work with others that enjoy building new projects. I'm not looking for a job, been there, done that...
If anyone shares this interest, let me know.
don@idealfabrications.com

Willing to help in my fab shop | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 04:42:07 PM MST
(User Info)

Hi Don
I'm near New London and would love to meet you sometime.I'm a 48 yr old vawt builder.

Mark

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Ideal Fabrications on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 06:21:45 PM MST
(User Info)

Dear Mark,
Good to see your reply. I am free most of the time, and really don't have a schedual. I am very interested in building VAWT for fun. I will check to see how far you are from me. Perhaps we can hook up and talk wind stuff. I look forward to meeting you.
Don

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 05:13:13 PM MST
(User Info)

Don,
If things went through you got mail from me.Puter stupid.

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by ZooT on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 11:50:54 AM MST
(User Info)

Er uh....... chances are you'll see a new turbine flying between New London and Waupaca by the end of next month...

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 05:02:00 PM MST
(User Info)

Er uh... Zoo are you from round here der hey?(kidding)

I got the itch to get back at it this weekend with temps in the 60's but only a itch.
Now more snow is on the horizon. :v(

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by ZooT on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 11:12:54 PM MST
(User Info)

No.......but I will be then......

I'm looking forward to having a 20'x40' quanset hut to work out of instead of an 8'x8' tin shed 8^P

And I'm looking forward to actually having a tower to fly my turbine on rather than a 14 foot piece of black iron gas pipe......

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 05:09:52 PM MST
(User Info)

Where?

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by MattM on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 08:48:04 PM MST
(User Info)

I bet that plasma machine would spark a lot of interest from the folk around here. Many people love their wind turbines to use hubs cut from steel and often the bigger wind turbines fasten to the wood blades with both face and back plates cut from hardened steel. You have the big toys... err... tools we all dream about.
----------------------------- Go Huskers!

16 ga Al = .050 thickness aka "Oh-fifty" (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by MattM on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 09:03:08 PM MST
(User Info)

I've toyed around with a few 18 gauge/.040 ("Oh-forty") aluminum blades. They don't have the rigidity for handling sustained winds over 35 mph. Definitely wouldn't recommend doing more than a 7' wind turbine with the .040 material, and only that big if it furls. My three blade 10' test rig showed considerable deformations from 40+ mph winds after around three months of handling stuff upwards of 35 mph - even with three layers at the hub (two layers out to the tip) and a few strengthening bends in the material. The 18 gauge test rig in mild steel and built using the same plan handled it without noticeable problems.

How is the 16 gauge/.050 aluminum of yours holding up?
----------------------------- Go Huskers!
[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by finnsawyer on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 08:55:11 AM MST
(User Info)

If you could cut me 20 inch disks out of 1/2 iron that I mentioned in another comment I might want to talk to you later. Of course, they can't have much warping, and I want to see what the Dans come up with. I'm located north of you near Houghton in the U. P. This posting is going into my Hotlist.
GeoM

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by Ideal Fabrications on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 09:09:01 AM MST
(User Info)

Hi GeoM,

I can cut plate up to 72" in Diameter with no distortion. Mill tollerance vary from one mill to another so be sure you have a flat plate to start with.
Don Simons

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by finnsawyer on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 09:20:46 AM MST
(User Info)

In other words, I have to provide the plate. You have no way to do any milling, then? Thanks for the response. As I said, I've marked this post.
GeoM
[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Ideal Fabrications on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 at 10:12:35 AM MST
(User Info)

Yes, you would have to either provide the plate, or I can provide it for cost. I can't provide the materials for free cause well, I think thats easy to figure out...

I can only swing 18" on my lathe, but a friend of mine has a small machine shop less than 2 miles from me and we trade favors back and forth all the time. If you want, e-mail me at don@idealfabrications.com and I'll send you a phone number you can reach me at.

Take Care,
Don Simons

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Wed Apr 9th, 2008 at 04:40:40 PM MST
(User Info)

Finn,
Maybe you could use sanitary sewer covers from the streets of Houghton.Kiddin but would be cool to see your build at least getting a start.

I'll call the mayor and warn him. :v)

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by Ideal Fabrications on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 08:44:20 AM MST
(User Info)

I just saw a typo in my post. My CNC machine is capable of cutting 6'(72") X 12'(144"). Also, the turbine I am playing with is made of 16ga (.0625)aluminum, an so far has held up well. Sorry for the error's...
Don

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by Tritium on Wed Apr 9th, 2008 at 10:42:51 AM MST
(User Info)

Don
I could certainly use a set of 1/2" or 5/8" thick, 24" diameter disk made for a 5 stud wheel hub (5 1/2") centers. What would that cost made and shipped to zip 79370?

Thurmond

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#19)
by Ideal Fabrications on Wed Apr 9th, 2008 at 11:56:50 AM MST
(User Info)

Hello Thurmond,

I did some checking, but I don't know if it will meet your needs. I would be more than happy to make the 24" disk at no charge, but the material for 12" plate would be about $125.00(that's my cost) and the 58" plate would be about $145.00.

The shipping would be about $146.00 from my place (54115) to yours (79370). I can supply the pallet at no charge since I have some I don't need. I wish I could help you out. I have no problem making the things people might need to build there machines at no cost , but I can't afford to supply the matirial or shipping.

Wish you were closer, I looked at you photo's and really like your design. I you want to contact me you can either email me at don@idealfabrications.com or our shop number is (920)339-6340.

Take care,
Don Simons

[ Parent ]

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by Old F on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 08:25:49 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.oldf.homestead.com

Don

I think DanB one of are hosts here will be teaching a wind generator workshop in May out side of Forestville, WI

You mite want to check an see if there are any
opneings left for the class if its not to far
from you
just a thought

Old F

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#16)
by Ideal Fabrications on Tue Apr 8th, 2008 at 08:57:16 PM MST
(User Info)

Thanks Old F(riend?)
Accually, I think I saw something about that just this evening. I believe it is near the power plant by the lake shore, and will be schedualed for May. I really need to get a better understanding of what I want to do before I start to do it. Call me crazy, but I am one for putting some real thought into what I'm about to fail at...

I must say this web site is just what I've been looking for!!! The informations and people here trully are a breath of fress air, with an after taste of "I think I can, I think I can!... Anyway, Thanks for the info and take care.
Don

Re: Willing to help in my fab shop (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by DamonHD (d@hd.org) on Wed Apr 9th, 2008 at 01:40:20 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.earth.org.uk/

Indeed, one must fail in the the most highly-skilled and educated way possible.

That's one reason to have University, after all! B^>

Rgds

Damon

[ Parent ]

Willing to help in my fab shop | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial)

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