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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Prospector's Crafts & Creations _ Red Dog Fabrication Channel on YouTube

Posted by: amorton Sep 6 2012, 04:54 PM

Hello everyone,

Thought I would share my new YouTube channel. I have a few videos up and will be uploading more as I make them and can get them edited down and uploaded. I am concentrating the channel on self sufficient living DIY projects and touching on the prepping movement. I dont want to put myself in any one category because along with my planned topics I will be putting up mining videos and anything else I can share that might be of usefulness to any one willing to listen. some of the videos are a little long but I think there is and will be some valuable information in the videos to come. I also plan on using this channel so showcase some products I will be making in the feature, but for now I just want to share what I am doing.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-21QlLRnvkdQ9YphLdKGoA/videos

Thanks Andrew

Posted by: amorton Sep 10 2012, 03:57 AM

Updates to the Bugout / Utility trailer

Part 4 building the battery Box: http://youtu.be/Y8VOM5sjnrQ

Part 5 building the double hinged tailgate: http://youtu.be/78dlEURiigY

Posted by: amorton Sep 13 2012, 10:35 PM

Trailer part 6: http://youtu.be/fVZx1IbXdak
this one might be handy to any one with a trailer. The tailgate was too heavy so I built a trailer gate assist

Quick video on a handy water purification method: http://youtu.be/EjhiDWWqa0U

Demonstrating how you can use a food saver type vacuum bag to purify 11.5 gallons of water using the SODIS water purification method. Bag should be filled with clear water and placed in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. This method uses UV "ultra violet" light to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. This method will do noting for chemical contamination.

Posted by: amorton Oct 3 2012, 01:22 AM

Trailer part 7: http://youtu.be/WPYFzm1cagU

tailgate limiting chains to keep the gate from going past 45 degrees when opening it.

Posted by: amorton Oct 3 2012, 01:24 AM

Building a set of .22 hanging steel targets / stands http://youtu.be/FgLi8b59bDU

This is the set of targets I built last night as practice targets for a .22 competition later this month

Posted by: swizz Oct 3 2012, 05:18 AM

Andrew,
Another good vid! This looks like something I might be able to do (minus the welding). And... 100-200yds with the .22... that's some mighty fine shootin!
I also watched your AR vid, very nice piece. I didn't know you were into weaponry.... I have a lightly used (accessorized + ammo, etc) SKS. We may have to talk trade sometime (either weaponry or other) for your fabrication skills if you're ever interested or would have time. I'm in need of a 2X72 belt grinder (or just the grinder frame) which doesn't look too terribly complicated to build but I definitely don't have the shop, skills, metal, or welding equip to make that happen and certainly can't afford a retail belt grinder... all the cool kids make their own. Impossible for me to build but maybe easy for you? Maybe not, but thought I'd throw it out there.
Something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ONrJB5sDQk (actually a 5 Part vid)
Many different configurations and build options for DIY 2X72's on the tube (and I'm not married to that design) but he explains it pretty well with measurements, etc. and it is a very good design. If you have the welder and access to scrap metals it appears to be relatively inexpensive except for the Grizzly contact wheel and the AC motor. Unknown motor, he doesn't go into that but typically they are 1hp and they can be pricey... I may have to suck that up.
Anyway, a 2X72 would make my life SO much easier for knifemaking and other stuff. It's just out of reach for me, I had a really tuff year.
Give it some thought if you're inclined and apologies if this is an absurd request but it dawned on me while I was watching your vids.... you're a very talented fabricator! Maybe this is within your realm and possibly I have something (SKS or other) worth bartering. If not, really no big deal... I'm just hard-up for a 2X72 and I'll have one eventually one way or another.
Good luck in the competition later this month!

Posted by: amorton Oct 3 2012, 10:45 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Oct 3 2012, 06:18 AM)

Andrew,
Another good vid! This looks like something I might be able to do (minus the welding). And... 100-200yds with the .22... that's some mighty fine shootin!

I also watched your AR vid, very nice piece. I didn't know you were into weaponry.... I have a lightly used (accessorized + ammo, etc) SKS. We may have to talk trade sometime (either weaponry or other) for your fabrication skills if you're ever interested or would have time. I'm in need of a 2X72 belt grinder (or just the grinder frame) which doesn't look too terribly complicated to build but I definitely don't have the shop, skills, metal, or welding equip to make that happen and certainly can't afford a retail belt grinder... all the cool kids make their own. Impossible for me to build but maybe easy for you? Maybe not, but thought I'd throw it out there.
Something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ONrJB5sDQk (actually a 5 Part vid)
Many different configurations and build options for DIY 2X72's on the tube (and I'm not married to that design) but he explains it pretty well with measurements, etc. and it is a very good design. If you have the welder and access to scrap metals it appears to be relatively inexpensive except for the Grizzly contact wheel and the AC motor. Unknown motor, he doesn't go into that but typically they are 1hp and they can be pricey... I may have to suck that up.
Anyway, a 2X72 would make my life SO much easier for knifemaking and other stuff.

It's just out of reach for me, I had a really tuff year.
Give it some thought if you're inclined and apologies if this is an absurd request but it dawned on me while I was watching your vids.... you're a very talented fabricator! Maybe this is within your realm and possibly I have something (SKS or other) worth bartering. If not, really no big deal... I'm just hard-up for a 2X72 and I'll have one eventually one way or another.
Good luck in the competition later this month!

Chris, I watched the videos and did a bit of research on the grinders, it looks like a easy enough project. As for design considerations do you want to use a contact wheel or just the flat plate or both? if both do you want to change them out like in the video or would you like them integrated on the belt at the same time? Second do you want the contact plate to be oriented vertically or horizontal? If vertical do you want a guide plate similar to the guide plate for a bench grinder. Speaking of bench grinders, we could utilize one as a power source by placing a pulley on one side of the grinding shaft. How do you want to mount this thing? Will it be on a table top or a standalone unit? Everything is possible so there is no wrong answer, it comes down to what works best for you. I am willing to work a trade, we can work out the details in private, but you left out the most important trade item, I think a Swizz custom knife should be added to the pot. I have my eye on one of these but the price is a lot a bit steep, think you could pull off a bushcraft knife? http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=609

Posted by: swizz Oct 4 2012, 10:21 AM

That's great news Andrew!
Like I said... I'm not married to the design in the youtube link I posted for the 2X72 belt grinder but it gives a good idea of what a knifemaking belt grinder looks like (one design anyway). It does look like a good one though. I'm researching other designs now in an effort to present something that is relatively simple and inexpensive for you to make. Here's another example: http://usaknifemaker.com/plans-for-the-no-weld-grinder-sander-nearly-50-pages.html Looks similar to a KMG.
KMG Belt Grinders are great and probably the best out there. There are plans for "KMG Clone" builds also available but that may be a tuffer build, not sure since I don't fab much with this type of stuff. Take a look at the Grizzly 2X72 on their site. A completely different design but would also work very well for my needs, very simplistic. I want to trade for your talent, not parts. I would like the project to be as easy and inexpensive for you to complete as possible... we can toss some ideas around when I have more researched plan options available but I am stoked that you would be interested! In short, a removable vertical platen would be nice and interchangeable contact wheels would also be nice. The platen plate is primarily used for handle shaping, flat grinding, and things of that nature... yes on the 90 degree guide plate for the platen. The contact wheel is used to create hollow-grind knife bevels and an essential part of the equation. Like I said, I really don't want you to spend much money on this and I will probably have to come up with a motor and contact wheel which are the most expensive parts. Most typical "bench grinder" (not belt grinder) motors are only 1/3 hp which is terribly underpowered (torque needed). A good 1.5 - 2hp will likely run me past $200 unless I can score one on craigslist or something. 1.5 hp is minimum.... needs to be beastly STRONG. Contact wheels run a little under $100 and I can purchase one from Grizzly. I will probably get a 10" Grizzly wheel for starters but would like to use 8" or smaller eventually. I plan on mounting the 2X72 flat to a table or bench. I'm fishing for some acceptable plans to run by you and we can work out the details later... I don't want to derail your thread any further. No problem on the Bushcraft. That is well within my skill level and I can do better than the Spyderco version. Not sure why they used 01 tool steel for that Bushcraft. There are much better steels out there and most of their knives incorporate s90v steel which is much better in my opinion. We can tailor the steel and handle material to whatever you want. I will need the 2X72 however to give the Bushcraft bevels a nice hollow-grind (concave bevels). That's something I can't currently do with draw-filing and why I want a 2X72. "Shoot" me a PM with your email addy and we can continue from there. I have two sets of plans coming my way from another knife enthusiast that I can forward to you later for review. I'm not in a hurry.

Here's a pic of the SKS... you can have it whenever you like, come & get if now if you want. Lightly used, mostly a wall hanger so it's dusty. I haven't taken inventory but probably have about 200 rounds or so to give with it. Stock is composite and outdated.... no picatinny rails. It is non-folding and completely legal. I added a flash suppressor to the barrel. I also have a K mount for a scope but never had it installed... picatinny rails would make that obsolete. I still have the original folding bayonet but never liked it and use that as a fire poker. 30 round mag included and I also have a recoil pad for that stock. 10-round speed loader pictured and included.... probably some other minor stuff for it laying around too that I can't think of. Trigger lock included. Good shape, no scratches... trigger lock "looks" scratched in that pic but it is shiny and reflecting light from my flash or something. No case.

Posted by: amorton Oct 4 2012, 03:57 PM

OK Chris, I only had time to put this simple model together, just an idea I was playing with on paper last night and wanted to see it in 3D before I go to work. The top wheel would be your contact wheel with the contact plate below it. I am thinking just building the whole thing off a sold plate and only support the wheels from one side. Trying to get it as space conservative as possible. Bottom wheel is your tracking wheel and the obvious one with the spring is your tension pulley. This is just a quick visual nothing is to scale. I was watching Star Trek the return home "the one with the time travel to San Francisco and beaming whales" while building this so any resemblance to a Klingon bird of prey is just coincidence.

This by no means has to be your design but was just some ideas I had in my head last night.

Posted by: swizz Oct 4 2012, 05:20 PM

Andrew,
That looks pretty good at first glance.... however, a fresh design scares the B-Jesus out of me. Making serious knives with a 72" belt, king kong torque, and over 3000rpms can kill a maker in a heartbeat if everything is not tried and true. There are several known and widely used designs out there which are highly functional and safe (well.... as safe as the user is). I still have all of my fingers and need to keep them.
Here is a KMG Clone plan that is very popular with the pros, highly recommended, and actually submitted by the KMG creator: http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf
I know you're not the type of guy who likes to follow someone's plan but I wanna live long ~~and prosper~~... actually just living long would be fine. High rpm physics scare me.
If this is within your scope, let me know. If not there are a couple more I could run by you that I would still feel safe running but this one is truly the cat's meow. I don't think it requires much if any welding.
Looks like this with 10" contact wheel attachment

Looks like this with Platen attachment

Posted by: amorton Oct 6 2012, 08:04 PM

Ok Swizz round two, this is should be relatively easy with basic scrap steel I either have of can pick up cheaply. I could make it aesthetically more pleasing but it we be more expensive to build. The front section can be swapped out easily for a contact wheel. The model is mostly to scale I am sure a few bits will have to move here and there. This will also let you run whatever motor you want via a V belt. I can also make it shorter but it will have to overhang your workbench, you may want that.

Posted by: swizz Oct 6 2012, 08:22 PM

WOW... now that looks like a really, really good design. I'm leaning toward a 2hp motor with pulley drive. Also a 10" contact wheel. I should buy these and get them to you during the build, correct? Idler wheels too.
You're extremely talented with the CAD software, very well done. Aesthetics are definitely of no concern.... no worries there.

Posted by: amorton Oct 6 2012, 08:54 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Oct 6 2012, 09:22 PM)

I will need 3 idler wheels the drive wheel and a belt to get started, I wont need the contact wheel until later. Same with the motor and the V belt wheel I dont need them until later. I can actually get some of the steel work done without the wheels but once I get to the alignment I will need them. These guys seem to have everything in one place, their stuff is spendy but, I have yet to find a cheap alternative for the wheels. Pallet Jack wheels could be subbed for the idler wheels I think but the other stuff is fairly specific.

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/

http://usaknifemaker.com/2x2-idler-wheel-aluminum-with-bearings-for-a-1-2-shaft.html

Posted by: swizz Oct 6 2012, 09:03 PM

I can get my 10" contact wheel from Grizzly for under $100.
I'll need to know the specs on the 3 idlers and drive wheel. I can order them, not from Beaumont though... way too pricey. I can find other vendors through my knifemaking network or maybe eBay.

edit: USA Kinfemaker has very reasonable prices. Make me a shopping list and I'll order the idlers, drive, etc and we can get the ball rolling if you're ready.

Posted by: amorton Oct 6 2012, 09:53 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Oct 6 2012, 10:03 PM)

Its all about what works best for you the idler wheels are all basically the same the decision is do you want 2" or 3", I think we should use a solid aluminum wheel for one and a contact wheel for the other. These are for the the platen. the platen is going to have a 90 degree tilt so you can run it vertical or lay it down and use it horizontal. So a small contact wheel for the bottom of the platen would give you some extra working area and they cost the same as the solid aluminum wheels. We also need a solid 2" or 3" wheel for the tensioner / tracking arm. onto the drive wheels, they dictate your final drive so depending on what size we use and what size the pulley is going to be will effect your torque and RPM. We will need a keyed shaft for the drive wheel and a set of pillow blocks for the same size shaft. The V belt pulley can come later I just need to know about how big you want it so I make enough clarence. So two solid idler wheels 2" or 3" and one 2" or 3" contact wheel a keyed drive shaft and a drive wheel "size depends on desired speed of the belt.

Posted by: swizz Oct 7 2012, 07:45 AM

I'll get these things together. The Grizzly contact wheel has a metric arbor so I may go a different direction on that unless we can find a way to make it work.
Here's a link to a few more ideas... this guy used a gas strut instead of a spring for the tensioner: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/949335-How-to-make-a-KMG-better-%28GIB-content-also
I also like his adjustable guide plate for the contact wheel attachment.

Posted by: amorton Nov 3 2012, 01:02 PM

Took the .22 out again, this time I started at 300 yards, and later set up at 410 yards. I was able to get a few hits on at 410 but I am almost out of scope / reticle and the target is rather small at that range. I think if I put a larger steel plate out at 500 I beleive I can hit at that range but that's about it I will be completely out of scope elevation and mil marks in my reticle. Just goes to show the old statement that a .22 is only good to 100 is just plain wrong.

http://youtu.be/sykplMjpUTM

If any one is interested in a set of the targets I am using I can build them for $20 per target / stand, and if you buy five I will throw in a sixth for free. They are only made from mild steel so I can only rate them for rimfire cartridges.

Posted by: Caveman Feb 25 2013, 09:29 PM

Hey Andrew, what's the latest?

Posted by: russau Feb 26 2013, 05:34 PM

hahaha, my latest project is right shoulder surgury for Thursday and repairing three herniated vertabras with the spinal coretizone shots........ . everything else is on hold, but Leonards video got the fever burning and to top it off he called today and offered me a deal thatll be REAL hard to not go for!