WheelMeet '03 9/26-29/03 Huntsville, Alabama

[Kerry Pinkerton]

We currently only have two people signed up but we will go ahead with the meet.

WheelMeet’03 and The OnLine Ewheel building seminar.

Before MM03, we will have a Ewheel building seminar on the Metalshaping list. This will be based on a Wray Schelin design and be designed to be built with a minimum of equipment and skills. The goal is to help people get a fully functional English Wheel for minimum cost. At the same time, I am planning on hosting a 3 day MetalMeet to build English Wheels at my shop near Huntsville, Alabama. Date to be determined. We will be cutting and welding frames, making anvils, and adjusters. Upper wheels will be the choice of the individual. (details below).

The link to the online seminar and building of the two prototypes is:

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

WHO

This event will be open to anyone and the cost will be very low for a complete mid size Ewheel. Details below. I believe we can build eight wheels but anyone is welcome to attend and help/observe

WHAT

You probably remember Wray posting that he and I were working on a ‘secret’ project a few weeks ago. Well, the secret project is an English Wheel built around some 2x8x1/4 tubing I had laying around the shop. This frame came out very nice and will be revealed later. However it turns out not to be a practical design for a weekend build event.

During the build of this original frame, I started thinking about holding a build meet similar to what Tom Lipton did last year with his bench wheel design. Wray agreed to provide a design and we’re still negotiating over it. A DRAFT copy of one possible design is attached. I like it a lot but it has considerable more cuts and welding than a simple frame with an angled lower like the other attached photo. We’ll talk and decide which frame we want. I’m flexible.

I have already acquired considerable ‘stuff’ needed to build the frames and anvils. The frame will be approximately 36” throat, support an 8” upper and 3x3” lowers. I plan on two versions, one with upper adjuster and one with lower. Both versions will be bolt on adjusters and both versions will have angled lower arms for clearance with tight bends.

Materials and APPROXIMATE Costs

Frame Material - I found a DEAL on some metal, specifically 40 pieces of 2x10x1/4”wall rectangular tubing, enough to build 8 frames. This is about 1/8 the cost of new metal although we will have to design around the pre cut lengths. Actually this may be an advantage as one design only has 4 additional cuts. Cost is about $25/unit for the material. Depending on the final design, I may choose to have the material cut precut. (or precut it myself for less than the lowest bid) If I do this it will probably add another $40 to each frame.
Anvil Material - I have obtained 8’ of 3” cold roll at my local salvage yard, enough for 4 anvils for each frame. Cost will be about $10/set of 4 obviously unhardened steel. They won’t be perfect but most of you have seen and used my wheel with my homemade anvils. They are about .002 true and seem to work fine. Not final on which anvils we’ll build yet but I’m thinking of a 3” flat, a 1” flat, a ½ flat and a ¼ flat. If anyone wants more we can make them if we have time or you could stay over. You can also buy them commercially from Joe Andrews at www.englishWheelRollers.com. He is going to cut us a deal and offers both hardened and non-hardened anvils done ‘right’.
Axles - I have found a source for 3/4c3/4x1/2”ID roller bearings. Cost will be about $10 or less for the set of 4 anvils..
Bearings - Roller bearings require hardened shafts which can be ordered from a variety of sources. Cost approximately $10.
Hardware and adjusters - Yokes and adjusters will be made from 1/2x4” plate. It comes in 20’ lenths for $53. You can figure probably $25 per wheel unless I can find some salvage. Misc bolts and screws will probably add another $20
Stand – not designed yet. Some people may want to bench mount it although it’s kind of large for a bench wheel. I expect I can find some salvage steel for 20 cents/lb. Figure 20 bucks
Upper wheel – We will not be making upper wheels However you will have several options for an 8x3 upper:
1- Purchase a cast steel caster with bearings from McMaster Carr or similar. Cost is about $110 plus tax/shipping
2- Purchase a cast iron caster with bearings for about $45 plus tax/shipping We can polish them at my shop.
3- Purchase a custom made wheel from Joe Andrews at www.EnglishWheelRollers.com Joe is going to make us a special offer for the wheelmeet. Price is to be determined but will be in the $200 range or less. This is a VERY true, polished, hardened wheel with bearings and axle.
4- Bring your own as long as it fits the machine design.
5- You will need to ship or bring your upper to the meet so we can make sure it fits and is properly aligned UNLESS you want to do this yourself at home.

Misc shop supplies – Probably about $40 for consumables and supplies, welding wire, sandpaper, gas, grinding wheels, etc.

Total APPROXIMATE Cost less upper wheel….about $200 figure $250 to be safe. Total will of course be dependent on what upper wheel you choose. We’ll keep it as low as possible and if I can scrounge other materials it will be reflected in lower cost.. I’ll probably expect people to kick in for food if we end up feeding everyone for 3 days. I’m not trying to make a profit, just cover my total costs. A deposit will be required with estimated total costs to be paid prior to the meet. Cancellations will probably result in loss of deposit for materials that I cannot dispose of and other sunk costs.

WHEN

Herein lies the rub. It would be GREAT if we can do this prior to MetalMeet03. Dates are September 26,27,28, 2003. This will be a 3 day event. Starting on Thursday night or Friday morning and going through Sunday afternoon. We’ll need everyone to be here all three days to get everything done.

WHERE

At my shop just north of Huntsville, Alabama. Lots of motels/restaurants in Huntsville 20 minutes away. I have plenty of space for camping. We’ll probably fix lunch and possibly dinner here (sandwiches and cold cuts) since there is not an eatery nearby.

HOW

Now this is a good question. I’ve talked to Tom Lipton about his event and got some great pointers. I will have build a prototype (will have it at MM) and have one cut out and labeled. The design will stress BUILDABILITY and functionality over art. In other words, might not be pretty but it’ll work.

I have the following equipment in my shop:
- Two lathes (neither with DROs or CNC)
- Bridgeport Mill
- Large and small bandsaw (probably can borrow another)
- Chop saw
- 210Amp Mig
- 90Amp Mig
- Large and small drill press
- I can probably borrow another Mig and I’m sure I can get a large stick welder if the Mig is not available.
- 8” grinder
- 6x24 belt and 9” disk sander
- most hand tools
- I’ll build a couple anvil spinners for grinding and polishing.

I’d want the attendees to bring some stuff like sanders/grinders etc. We’ll work that out.

The anvils have to be cut, faced, bored, rough cut, ground and polished.
The frames have to be cut, beveled, welded
Adjusters have to be build, aligned and bolted on.
Final grinding and paint can be done at your home.
At the very least we’ll have some type of stand so it will sit on a bench. If time permits we’ll build bolt on legs.

Each person will be assigned a series of steps based on skill. Everyone will work on everyone’s wheel and anvils, we’ll divvy them up at the end. This approach keeps people focused on getting everything done and not tied up working on ‘their’ machine more than anyone else’s.

My shop will have about 2000 sq ft available inside and another 2000 sq ft in covered carports attached to the main building. I plan on all grinding/polishing/welding being done ‘outside’ I can close up the area where the welding will be done to minimize drafts and keep the Migs working well.

The goal will be to build up to 8 COMPLETE frames. Some people who have welding equipment may prefer to weld up themselves.

I can transport the frames to Randy’s for pickup there. Plus it would be great to have the extra wheels for the MM. These things will be HEAVY. Probably 250lbs. I can help get it ready for shipping if you need it shipped but it’d be best if you could haul it or someone haul it near you and you come get it.

INTERESTED?

Attendance is FIRST signup = FIRST on the list for a wheel. What I need you to do is send me a private email to: pinkertonk@mchsi.com.

The meet will be held September 26-29, 2003. Also need to know, which version of frame you are interested in, and type of upper wheel you are thinking about.. If Your email will ‘reserve’ your initial slot. If we get enough people I’ll notify everyone and you will have a week to commit or your slot will go the next person on the list. Sorry to be hard about it but we have a short timeframe.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

We currently only have two people signed up but we will go ahead with the meet.

WheelMeet’03 and The OnLine Ewheel building seminar.

Before MM03, we will have a Ewheel building seminar on the Metalshaping list. This will be based on a Wray Schelin design and be designed to be built with a minimum of equipment and skills. The goal is to help people get a fully functional English Wheel for minimum cost. At the same time, I am planning on hosting a 3 day MetalMeet to build English Wheels at my shop near Huntsville, Alabama. Date to be determined. We will be cutting and welding frames, making anvils, and adjusters. Upper wheels will be the choice of the individual. (details below).

The link to the online seminar and building of the two prototypes is:

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

WHO

This event will be open to anyone and the cost will be very low for a complete mid size Ewheel. Details below. I believe we can build eight wheels but anyone is welcome to attend and help/observe

WHAT

You probably remember Wray posting that he and I were working on a ‘secret’ project a few weeks ago. Well, the secret project is an English Wheel built around some 2x8x1/4 tubing I had laying around the shop. This frame came out very nice and will be revealed later. However it turns out not to be a practical design for a weekend build event.

During the build of this original frame, I started thinking about holding a build meet similar to what Tom Lipton did last year with his bench wheel design. Wray agreed to provide a design and we’re still negotiating over it. A DRAFT copy of one possible design is attached. I like it a lot but it has considerable more cuts and welding than a simple frame with an angled lower like the other attached photo. We’ll talk and decide which frame we want. I’m flexible.

I have already acquired considerable ‘stuff’ needed to build the frames and anvils. The frame will be approximately 36” throat, support an 8” upper and 3x3” lowers. I plan on two versions, one with upper adjuster and one with lower. Both versions will be bolt on adjusters and both versions will have angled lower arms for clearance with tight bends.

Materials and APPROXIMATE Costs

Frame Material - I found a DEAL on some metal, specifically 40 pieces of 2x10x1/4”wall rectangular tubing, enough to build 8 frames. This is about 1/8 the cost of new metal although we will have to design around the pre cut lengths. Actually this may be an advantage as one design only has 4 additional cuts. Cost is about $25/unit for the material. Depending on the final design, I may choose to have the material cut precut. (or precut it myself for less than the lowest bid) If I do this it will probably add another $40 to each frame.
Anvil Material - I have obtained 8’ of 3” cold roll at my local salvage yard, enough for 4 anvils for each frame. Cost will be about $10/set of 4 obviously unhardened steel. They won’t be perfect but most of you have seen and used my wheel with my homemade anvils. They are about .002 true and seem to work fine. Not final on which anvils we’ll build yet but I’m thinking of a 3” flat, a 1” flat, a ½ flat and a ¼ flat. If anyone wants more we can make them if we have time or you could stay over. You can also buy them commercially from Joe Andrews at www.englishWheelRollers.com. He is going to cut us a deal and offers both hardened and non-hardened anvils done ‘right’.
Axles - I have found a source for 3/4c3/4x1/2”ID roller bearings. Cost will be about $10 or less for the set of 4 anvils..
Bearings - Roller bearings require hardened shafts which can be ordered from a variety of sources. Cost approximately $10.
Hardware and adjusters - Yokes and adjusters will be made from 1/2x4” plate. It comes in 20’ lenths for $53. You can figure probably $25 per wheel unless I can find some salvage. Misc bolts and screws will probably add another $20
Stand – not designed yet. Some people may want to bench mount it although it’s kind of large for a bench wheel. I expect I can find some salvage steel for 20 cents/lb. Figure 20 bucks
Upper wheel – We will not be making upper wheels However you will have several options for an 8x3 upper:
1- Purchase a cast steel caster with bearings from McMaster Carr or similar. Cost is about $110 plus tax/shipping
2- Purchase a cast iron caster with bearings for about $45 plus tax/shipping We can polish them at my shop.
3- Purchase a custom made wheel from Joe Andrews at www.EnglishWheelRollers.com Joe is going to make us a special offer for the wheelmeet. Price is to be determined but will be in the $200 range or less. This is a VERY true, polished, hardened wheel with bearings and axle.
4- Bring your own as long as it fits the machine design.
5- You will need to ship or bring your upper to the meet so we can make sure it fits and is properly aligned UNLESS you want to do this yourself at home.

Misc shop supplies – Probably about $40 for consumables and supplies, welding wire, sandpaper, gas, grinding wheels, etc.

Total APPROXIMATE Cost less upper wheel….about $200 figure $250 to be safe. Total will of course be dependent on what upper wheel you choose. We’ll keep it as low as possible and if I can scrounge other materials it will be reflected in lower cost.. I’ll probably expect people to kick in for food if we end up feeding everyone for 3 days. I’m not trying to make a profit, just cover my total costs. A deposit will be required with estimated total costs to be paid prior to the meet. Cancellations will probably result in loss of deposit for materials that I cannot dispose of and other sunk costs.

WHEN

Herein lies the rub. It would be GREAT if we can do this prior to MetalMeet03. Dates are September 26,27,28, 2003. This will be a 3 day event. Starting on Thursday night or Friday morning and going through Sunday afternoon. We’ll need everyone to be here all three days to get everything done.

WHERE

At my shop just north of Huntsville, Alabama. Lots of motels/restaurants in Huntsville 20 minutes away. I have plenty of space for camping. We’ll probably fix lunch and possibly dinner here (sandwiches and cold cuts) since there is not an eatery nearby.

HOW

Now this is a good question. I’ve talked to Tom Lipton about his event and got some great pointers. I will have build a prototype (will have it at MM) and have one cut out and labeled. The design will stress BUILDABILITY and functionality over art. In other words, might not be pretty but it’ll work.

I have the following equipment in my shop:
- Two lathes (neither with DROs or CNC)
- Bridgeport Mill
- Large and small bandsaw (probably can borrow another)
- Chop saw
- 210Amp Mig
- 90Amp Mig
- Large and small drill press
- I can probably borrow another Mig and I’m sure I can get a large stick welder if the Mig is not available.
- 8” grinder
- 6x24 belt and 9” disk sander
- most hand tools
- I’ll build a couple anvil spinners for grinding and polishing.

I’d want the attendees to bring some stuff like sanders/grinders etc. We’ll work that out.

The anvils have to be cut, faced, bored, rough cut, ground and polished.
The frames have to be cut, beveled, welded
Adjusters have to be build, aligned and bolted on.
Final grinding and paint can be done at your home.
At the very least we’ll have some type of stand so it will sit on a bench. If time permits we’ll build bolt on legs.

Each person will be assigned a series of steps based on skill. Everyone will work on everyone’s wheel and anvils, we’ll divvy them up at the end. This approach keeps people focused on getting everything done and not tied up working on ‘their’ machine more than anyone else’s.

My shop will have about 2000 sq ft available inside and another 2000 sq ft in covered carports attached to the main building. I plan on all grinding/polishing/welding being done ‘outside’ I can close up the area where the welding will be done to minimize drafts and keep the Migs working well.

The goal will be to build up to 8 COMPLETE frames. Some people who have welding equipment may prefer to weld up themselves.

I can transport the frames to Randy’s for pickup there. Plus it would be great to have the extra wheels for the MM. These things will be HEAVY. Probably 250lbs. I can help get it ready for shipping if you need it shipped but it’d be best if you could haul it or someone haul it near you and you come get it.

INTERESTED?

Attendance is FIRST signup = FIRST on the list for a wheel. What I need you to do is send me a private email to: pinkertonk@mchsi.com.

The meet will be held September 26-29, 2003. Also need to know, which version of frame you are interested in, and type of upper wheel you are thinking about.. If Your email will ‘reserve’ your initial slot. If we get enough people I’ll notify everyone and you will have a week to commit or your slot will go the next person on the list. Sorry to be hard about it but we have a short timeframe.