Thread: Rolling Mill
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Old February 17th 06, 09:16 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
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Default Rolling Mill

Kendall Davies wrote:
I'm thinking of buying a rolling mill. I want to use the mill to produce
texture and pattern on sheet and strip silver (and other metals). I'd also
want to use it to taper wire or at least begin/speed up the process of hand
forging.

I've read around the subject and looked at websites and catalogues but have
not had the luxury of actually getting my hands on one to get the feel of
the equipment in use.

I think this could be a really useful piece of equipment for me and I'm
willing to spend something between £500 and £1000 if I have to.

One of my dilemmas is how useful am I going to find a model with lots of
wire grooves? and will I need to build up more bits of equipment like draw
plates to get best use out of the mill.

So, in brief do I get a basic but solid, rugged rolling mill that will
handle the tasks of texturing and tapering well but not too much else, or do
I spend more and buy a machine with lots of grooves etc, etc.

All contributions to my decision making will be gratefully received, and
just in case it makes a difference to any responses, I'm in the UK.

Regards - Kendall





A small, hand cranked, rolling mill was the first major piece of
equipment I purchased over 30 years ago. I even opened a special bank
account in which I saved up to buy it; I called it the Mill account, and
its still in use today.
The mill has only 2 rollers, 2.5" diam and 4.5" wide, divided into a
2.25" flat area and a 2.25" area with 12 grooves. It is still very much
in use and is, without doubt, indispensable. On occasion I have found
the 2.25" flat a bit restrictive, but given the choice of the current
set-up or just a 4.5" flat without grooves, I would go for the current
set-up. The grooves are extremely useful.
2.5" diam rolls are better than 2" ones because, like large wheels on
rough ground, they make life easier. If you can afford it, a double
decker, 2x flat and 2x grooves, would be even better than my set-up.
I too am in UK, and I purchased my mill from H.Walsh and Son of
Clerkenwell, all those years ago.

--
Regards, Gary Wooding
(To reply by email, change feet to foot in my address)

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