1800's home

 https://youtu.be/evosx1_kvg0?si=4Z2gBWP3m-uB1CGB

saw this video.  He builds a home in Oklahoma the 1800's way

Project Mircofilm

 We processed 15 sacks in 2 hours.  This was in spite of still figuring work flow.

The sacks of microfilm were tied shut tightly, then dunked in a tank of water and protease enzyme.

The liquid circulated with the sewage pump.

We turned the sacks over a couple times, then on a rack to drain.

Spot checks revealed all the gelatin was dissolved and the liquid turned a black soupy concoction.

After 15 sacks we pumped the tank into a ibc and added floculant to collect the silver.  i noticed large amounts of fine silver particles on the bottom of the tank during transfer.

Flocculant should collect the silver, leaving the enzyme solution clear and for re-use.

The congealed silver is collected with a spoon, spread out to dry in a pan, then run thru a electric foundry which will burn off the gelatin, flocculant, and leave behind a disc of silver.

So far so good.  

Meanwhile, in the shop, machine orders slow, despite advertising.  i sold one sheet press. 

The shipping damaged machines were fixed, and shipped back out 

re plastic pellet mill mechanism

**Clear comparison of feed-mill vs. plastic-pellet-mill mechanisms**

**Feed-mill design**  

In a typical feed mill, the rollers are mounted on a fixed (non-rotating) axle that is pressed downward against a spinning die. The rollers themselves rotate only because they are driven by contact with the moving die.  

This arrangement works adequately for dry grains, which flow readily under gravity. It does not, however, feed material quickly. Plastics tend to bridge and interlock; without active agitation they do not move freely into the die openings.

**Plastic-pellet-mill design**  

In a plastic pellet mill the die is fixed and does not rotate. A central axle passes upward through the die and drives the roller axle so that the rollers spin while the die remains stationary. The continuous rotation of the roller axle supplies the agitation needed to keep plastic moving into the die.  

**Clamping / pressing method**  

- Feed mill: the entire roller assembly is pressed tightly against the die by force applied from above.  

- Plastic pellet mill: the roller axle itself is drawn downward (pressing the rollers against the die) and is locked in place by a nut on the axle.  

This inverted drive-and-clamp arrangement is what allows the plastic mill to generate the stirring action required for materials that do not flow under gravity alone.

Plastic pellet mill test again fail

 My guy had it all assembled by 415pm.  I tried to test run, but he re-assembled a part wrong so the rollers make the nut loosen rather than tighten during operation.  

We messed with It Friday, but it will take more mods, prob a locking collar.  Shafting still moves as the mechanism is designed to press down against the machine frane, not pull from the shaft.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we start the microfilm processing (at last) 

I got a 1hp submersible sewage pump to circulate the enzyme.  I initially thought i would use baskets and extract it like a coffee pot.  However it turns out the sacks it is stored on, holds it like a tea bag. So I will just open the bag, use the hose to run the enzyme thru the bag.

Plastic pellet mill part.. I dunno

The machine has now been modified to operate in the same manner as the other unit shown in youtube links in previous posts. (see video above current iteration)

However, when the nut on the shaft is tightened, it draws the shaft upward. The tapered thrust bearing is oriented to exert force in the opposite direction, so the assembly does not remain tight. As a result, the rollers do not press flat against the die and simply waste effort.

I therefore removed the shafting again, took out the thrust bearing and its housing, and reversed the orientation of the housing. Because the thrust bearing is now seated from the top, it must be positively locked in place against the upward forces. A flange is required to retain the bearing under these loads.

That flange has been sent out for laser cutting. Fortunately, a plastic flange was previously bolted in place for dust protection, so existing tapped holes are available to secure the new flange.

If the timing works out, the flange may arrive today along with the new bent heat shield for the extrusion machine (both from the same shop).

I could implement a half ass solution, but that would only leave me frustrated; I prefer to complete the modification correctly the first time. However IF I can pull this off, I have a relatively low cost method to mod acheap china feed mill I can buy locally, and convert it to a plastic pellet mill which I can then sell for 2x the price. Also a meme..

my competition posted this today.  I guess this side up only applies until you load it sideways in a truck.  it is a hydraulic baling  machine, so I can gurantee it shipped leaking hydraulkic oil from the vent.  haha