Home made roaster

[nunu]

Re: Home made roaster

Geez, how heavy gauge is the drum?

That thing should hold heat like nobodys business.

Nice look with the vanes. Staggered panels might work better than several solid vanes, and save a bit on material.

[robusto]

Re: Home made roaster

Oh, youre so vain, youd think this post is about you (apologies to Carly Simon)! Very, very impressed, Framey. Nice neat job.

Robusto

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

nunu,

I cant let you have all the bean burning fun.

Heres a shot of the vanes.

[nunu]

Re: Home made roaster

Ill save you the trouble mate. Ive burnt about a kilo so far :P

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

Money spent so far would be up around the $1k mark...

When I started this, I didnt think it would have cost as much as it has so far. There are areas where substantial money could have been saved though. The first motor I bought through US eBay only cost about $50 and most of that was postage. Unfortunately I was never sure if that motor was ever going to turn up. It took 3 months to get here. Now it is my back up motor. Last time I try to save a few bucks on ground shipping. If Id had a usable motor around the place or went with one of the many suggested cheaper alternatives I could have saved as much as $150.
If Id made the drum from mild steel instead of stainless, actually if I didnt go stainless crazy I could have saved quite a bit of money and probably some time.

If I was doing it all again I would be able to make something similar for a lot less... I think. If youre handy with a welder or have access to machine shop stuff you could do lots of things yourself and save some bucks. I guess it is like any prototype work, lots of expense and learning.

Without sounding too weird it really has been more about the journey. Ive learnt a great deal along the way and if this crazy roaster actually works then Ive got lots more to learn, and enjoy.

PS: The vanes were welded in today and within the next 24hrs I might actually be burning some beans  

[nunu]

Re: Home made roaster

BTW, how much are those 1kg electric jobs?

[Boris]

Re: Home made roaster

Framey,
Without getting specific, not including the bench, ball park rough guestimate, how much have you dished out? Dare to say? Dont get me wrong, I love the project. Its got to be one of things alot of home roasters would love to have. Lets assume it becomes fully functional and performs, for all intents and purposes, just like a bought one (Im sure it will). How close are you to actually coming to the line where it may have been easier (though not as rewarding or as much fun) as buying a 1KG electric job? :-?


Boris

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

Yeah, it can be painful. I try to do as much as I can but my metal fabrication skills and equipment are severely limited.

Im getting good at drilling holes in stainless, and Im on a first name basis with half the staff at Bunnings...

[AndyCJ]

Re: Home made roaster

Things sure are shaping up Framey! It may be a slow process, but Im guessing itll be a very consistent roast, especially with the control that duel burners will give you. Ive still not got down to the steel fab guys... mainly becasue Im affraid what Ill end up spending!! eh eh eh.

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

I ended up buying a stainless bench (bless you eBay) to use as a base for the roaster. Ill bolt the roaster onto the SS bench with 10mm bolts that will act as legs leaving a gap between the bottom of the roaster box and the SS bench. Something like 30mm should allow enough airflow. The roaster has to be bolted to something as it has gotten top heavy.
In the photo you can see the PTFE bushing the nose will spin on. I really hope it can take the heat...

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

Everything is just loosely together atm, not quite final product. Tomorrow the vanes get welded into the drum and a chimney with a butterfly valve is going on top of the box.
The burners arent bolted in yet either You can see some of the insulation through the burner holes and as a gasket under the bearing.

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

Just some more photos of the slowest roaster build ever...

As you can see there is now a handle and a motor attached.

[robusto]

Re: Home made roaster

You might strike it lucky and find a ball-bearing which slips over the end. Or, a even a regular bearing.

Alternatively, why not use a longer straight-through rod with some kind of conventional bearing, placed well away from the end of the drum so the beans exit isnt blocked.

Robusto

[Boris]

Re: Home made roaster

Framey,
Dont know if youve already solved the bearing grease issue, but yesterday in Bunnings of all places I saw some food safe grease made by Lanotec (h)? Its a by-product of the wool industry, good for all sorts of things, corrosion protection, lubrication, water proofing electrical boxes etc.

Just a thought.

Boris

[Framey]

Re: Home made roaster

Java,
That shot in a higher quality is my desktop now  

AndyCJ,

The half inch shaft is solid, but Im not sure the bearing or motor would be happy supporting the 4.5kg drum plus some green beans. Hopefully the ring of PTFE will take some of the weight.