Make or buy blades?

[machinist]

I found this site about a month ago. Since then I've tooled up and made the 10 foot turbine shown on the otherpower site. I made it with the 12 volt coils. Need to start on the blades now,but I'm thinking of buying some blades off ebay. All I want this thing to do is heat the wife's greenhouse at night. I'm in the 6 mph windspeed zone in central Texas.

What are the pros and cons of makeing vs. buying?

Thanks

machinist

[Flux]

If you are in a 6mph wind zone then I don't think your greenhouse is going to get much heat except on a few odd occasions.

Don't know anything about the ebay blades but for wind power I don't trust much on ebay.

Flux

[wpowokal]

I shied away from carving my own wooden blades because it seemed too hard, but once I had done it try stopping me. It's the personal touch I like.

allan

[machinist]

The zone map states 6 mph, but someone is putting up those large turbines about 10 miles from my house. Also all over the northern part of the county. I'm from west Texas where the wind really blows. I don't care if the thing heats the greenhouse or not. That is just an expense justification for my learning curve.

Thanks and have fun

machinist

[Flux]

I like that approach to justify your hobby.

Much will depend on your actual wind conditions not predicted figures. We have about 8mph average here and it is not a good wind area for useful power so if it really is 6 then  not so good but you can still have fun.

For the poor wind area I really think that carving your own blades will give you a better chance than using something not intended for that design. You might strike lucky but without knowing anything about the blades it is a chance and it robs you of a lot of pleasure and learning experience. Carving blades is perfectly easy.

Flux

[TheCasualTraveler]

     Perhaps you are in wind Class 6. That is different than 6 mph average. West Texas is a great wind area but it will depend on your exact site. None the less I'm guessing your a good candidate for a turbine. Look at the map in this link and point out where you are.

http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm

[Tritium]

I don't know your exact location but I am 75 miles east of Lubbock, TX and in a class 3+ wind zone. The McAdoo wind Turbines just north of me 20 miles are in a class 4.

6 mph seems a bit low for any of west Texas.My average measured at my location for the last year and a half is 12 to 14 mph.

Thurmond

[machinist]

I'm in Dublin Texas. Looks like a 3 to me on the map. I have 2 brothers in Ozona that want a turbine also. Good family project.

I have another question. What are people doing for the swivel electrical connection between the turbine and pole? I haven't seen anything on the sites I've been on.

Haveing a blast. Think I'll make a machine to make my blades.

have fun

machinist

[Tritium]

Dublin, TX  the home of REAL Dr Pepper. Check your other thread for the answer to your slip ring question.

Thurmond

[wdyasq]

Average windspeed, Stephenville, TX is ~11mph.

Ron