[TheForge] Rolling Mill reply

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

I'm sorry that I haven't written back in response to the question on the cam 
action of the trust rod that raises the bottom roller.  I have to say that a 
picture is worth a thousand words.  I will take a picture, or several 
pictures and post them on my site.  Until then, If you just think of an 
offset rod (the cam) and the pedal acting as a teeter-totter, you will have a 
reasonably good understanding of the operation of the machine.
  You first adjust the rolls to contact the work with the pedal in the down 
position.  Then remove the work and turn the thrust nut up about a half turn, 
I tend to go about 3/4 turn , but start on the lite side first.  When the 
steel is hot, anywhere from cherry red to orange will do, place all the way 
through the rollers and step down on the pedal.  The pedal will teeter-totter 
or lever the bottom roll up and the work will come out towards you.  If 
however you get the steel close to welding heat, it will have to have all 
flux wire brushed off or else the flux will act as a lubricant.  I've also 
noticed that when the steel is at near welding temp that it is too easy for 
the rolls to dig in and spin.  
  When you pull back on the lever this raises the off set portion of the cam 
into the up position allowing for more rolling and greater sensitivity to the 
steel and more work to be done.  I really love my rolling mill and think once 
a person takes an hour or so he or she will find that it works wonders.
  I only get to work on the computer once in a while.  So my answers may be 
delayed.

Steve Rollert
doveknives.com