Castor wheels for the mill

[liveaboard]

Thanks, Harold;
This project has escaped the realm of practicality a while ago.
I think there are more than 100 parts!

But once started, there's nothing to do but keep going until the job gets done.

[liveaboard]

I assembled the hydraulic pump;
Mixed results.
The o rings work ok against pressure, but are quite ineffective against vacuum.
So even though the hydraulic reservoir is above the pump, when drawing oil in through the check valve and convoluted bores, air gets pulled in.
Still, it lifted the 1.3 ton mill right up onto the wheels after a while.

I need to get a real hydraulic seal for the pump. It's not expensive but $10 minimum purchase + $8 postage is irritating.

And that size of seal can't be squished into an open groove, and the smallest od is just 2mm smaller than the rod I made the cylinder from...
So after boring, there's not enough material to add a retaining ring.
Ah well, it's all for fun, right?

[Bill Shields]

Sometimes it is the journey not the end result...or is it the result and not the journey?

Eithery way, we all have gained a lot from your stick-to-it-ivness and creativity.

[Harold_V]

If nothing else, "failed" projects are quite valuable in teaching one the lessons that avoid future failures. I had one such experience many years ago when I built a charging system that would fit in the bilge of our 24' Cruisers Gran Bateau. It came equipped with a small electrically powered refrigerator so battery life was quite limited. The first iteration of the charging system was a resounding failure but provided the needed information that allowed for a successful second build, which included converting an 8 horse Kohler engine to being water cooled. The charging system, which included two deep cycle batteries, independent of the primary battery, worked exceedingly well and was still performing to expectations when the boat was sold years later.

Your project has been interesting!

H

[Glenn Brooks]

Live aboard,
Just saw your last page, where you’ve got everything built and in place! Nice work! I recently visited a retired machinist with a two man shop that served a now closed lumber mill near by. He made a good living sliding 20’ long shafts needing repair from the old mill through the hole in his shop wall.