Picture of a Powered English Wheel for shaping aluminum sheets

Discussion in 'Metal Boat Building' started by Suspended Animations, Apr 26, 2018.

  1. Suspended Animations
    Joined: Apr 2018
    Posts: 2
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: San Diego

    Suspended Animations New Member

    If you are near San Diego, you might look at my Powered English Wheel to see if this type of machine could be an option for your boat building project. I attached a picture to give you an idea, and I can send or post more pictures for anyone who is interested in building such a machine. This machine is a modification of plans used by Radford Yachts.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum.

    That's lovely, though English Wheels are fairly easy to come by. What's special enough about this to warrant the bother of building it?
     
  3. Suspended Animations
    Joined: Apr 2018
    Posts: 2
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: San Diego

    Suspended Animations New Member

    Let me add some more info since a number of you have viewed my original post.
    1. The frame must be very stout. My machine is a bit of overkill because I also wanted to roll steel. It is amazing how easily a frame will bend. With a hand operated English wheel this bending will suck the energy out of your back and forth movement. That isn't the critical part with a powered roll like this one because the motor is doing the work. However, the action of the rolling is affected by movement of the frame, and the roll is less than perfect if the frame is sloppy.
    2. You will need speed control or you must gear the movement to be fairly slow. The variable speed on mine was a bit expensive, so that is a consideration. You could just change the sprockets out for a different diameter. As you get better with coordination you could change sprocket to a little faster. This would be the cheaper way to go. Remember, with a variable speed control you will buy a 3 phase motor even though the controller runs off of single phase 220V. I used 1 1/2 HP which is plenty.
    3. You must use foot control with MO switch so that the rolling stops with each foot change (forward/reverse). Absolutely, do not make a direction control setup where it would be easy to push the wrong direction. Moving the foot for each direction like my setup is slightly more trouble with leg movement, but it is way more safe. Keep it simple for a monkey.
    4. I use a hand pump operated hydraulic ram from the bottom die holder. It is a bit awkward if you roll off the sheet and have to start over. But you could add another controller to the hydraulics (more expense). I am fine with the way my setup works with a very simple approach to the pressure. You will need a gage to keep track of pressure for working different jobs.

    I attached a couple of more pictures, and I repeat the offer to anyone near San Diego that you can play with this machine (Your own material) to see if it is anything you are interested in.
    Mike Clark in Deerhorn Valley
     

    Attached Files:

Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.