AusBonsai

At School on Tuesday, i have noticed Steven has a really cool desktop turntable that he brings along to work on his trees on. they are excellent to work on Shohin sized trees or cascades
He picked up in Japan on one of his trips and we have discussed it often and I thought I can fabricate them myself and then sell if there is any interest.

I have come up with a design and sourcing materials and parts now but are still waiting on some so thought i might create this thread to let everyone know and maybe generate interest in them.
I am purchasing enough materials to make 10 so let me know if you are interested.

The Steel from a local fabricators and cut to size.

Ken

Bearings ordered from overseas, Still waiting on the correct size as these 2 were purchased for my inital design which has been changed now.

Ken

Locking / tensioner screws,
Sourced from a local supplier

Ken

Waiting on the new bearings so i can then machine shafts to the correct size, then weld up and then final machining
Going to be a fun little project I think

Ken

very cool ken
cant wait to see how they turn out! love a good DIY

Good idea, it is always a bit difficult when working on cascades.
I might be interested in one.

How much do you think they'll cost, and would you be able to post one, or too heavy?

Beano wrote:How much do you think they'll cost, and would you be able to post one, or too heavy?

Not sure on cost as yet, as that will be dependent on final material bill, but hope I can keep to less than $150
Weight should end up at around 7KG so yep postage is doable

Ken

Could you build them out of alloy ken? Would be a lot lighter and cheaper.


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pebble wrote:Could you build them out of alloy ken? Would be a lot lighter and cheaper.


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Lighter yes, but not cheaper.
Alloy section would be more expensive and the welding I would have to outsource and thus cost considerably more

I am looking at ways to lighten the base, with smaller section steel or machining cutouts into it, but as soon as one dose that, labour costs go up fast. My quotes to do that would double the material cost at a minimum and lighter section Steel is much smaller
I could do some relief work myself but it would take a long time by hand, and look crappy in the end and probably not make it worthwhile.
ps if anyone has a Milling machine they want to let me use then I can do heaps

re the weight, Stevens original model is about 4.5 KG so not that much different I hope and to me the weight adds stability to the base for the tree when you are working on it

I will see how they pan out and possibly adjust materials and sizing from there.

Ken

Hi Ken,
Great little project you have there. Would love to help out with the engineering if needed. I am not sure why you have to have a particular size of bearing if you can machine the shaft to size??
Can you post a drawing of your idea or a pic of the original from the workshop?
Cheers
Dibbo

I am using thick walled tube rather than bar to reduce mass
So cannot macine much

Ken

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I was there when Steven purchased his, (and watched him lug it around Japan for two weeks!) and I would be delighted to be included on your list of potential purchasers.

Update.
I just received the first batch of bearings today so now can get on to machining parts and then fabrication of parts.

Stay tuned.

Ken