Conveyer Build

[Rvjimd]

Someone on YouTube asked for more pictures and detail of my conveyor build. Hope there is something in the video you can use.

This was a pretty satisfying build for me. Fairly simple, yet quite useful and once I got this one running it make me think I need about a half dozen more of them!

http://youtu.be/l09iAWVR9Lg

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Guys,

I'm starting on a new bigger conveyor. Question, I'm planning on turning the end drums on the lathe but HOW do I get a nice convex taper on them? I do not have power feeds so I can't imagine turning it slow enough and manually moving the cross feed and lateral feeds smooth and consistent enough to get a descent drum?

Impossible to do without power feeds?

Thanks

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Well,

I did end up finding the fixture that seems to attach to the cross feed and allows a convex, but, I ended up turning a small diameter on each end and then putting a taper on it using a file freehand.

I think that is going to be good enough in this application.

Jim

[Jared]

I would turn the compound slide to the angle I want and use it to do the cutting and lock the carriage. Then if I want it more rounded I'd change the angle again or use a file. Or turn them between centers and offset the tailstock a little.

[Rvjimd]

Jared,

Thanks for the response. I have figured it is easy enough to just use a file.

Next question - does the entire length of the drum need to be convex or just the outside ends of the drum? For instance, I'm making 1.5" wide drums. Will it keep the belt in the center by only putting a taper or curve shape on the outside .25 " of each end ?

Jim

[Jared]

I would divide it in thirds to more closely replicate the convex shape if you're cutting a straight angle. But if it's easy to disassemble the conveyor and remount the rollers in the lathe you could try .25" on each end first and cut more if it still doesn't work right. If you're going for a curved surface I think it would be best to make the entire surface a constant radius so the point of largest diameter is more concentrated in the middle instead of being two-thirds or three-quarters of the length, if that makes sense.