Scrounging a pulley/flywheel/crank

[Porteiro]

I'm building a cider press, and I'd like it to be able to be human or motor-powered, so I'm looking to get at combination flywheel/crank/v-belt pulley like you see in these pictures:



As always, the last thing I want to do is pay full price of anything. So far I've only found one place where I can buy one new, and the price with shipping was $100!

I've got time on my hands -- I have almost a year until I need it. But I want to start keeping my eyes open right now.

Which brings us to my question: where would be a good place to look to scrounge for such a part? What machines might I keep my eyes open for on Craigslist because they might have such a crank/pulley, or even just a big v-belt pulley without a crank?

[Bear]

Ebay, just type meat grinders in your search. Thrift stores and farm auctions are also good places.

[Lorax_Of_Gilead]

Old bicycle rim? If you have a year you can always cast your own: http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/

[ace admirer]

try grainger, surplus center.

how are your junkyard skills? they are out there.

the lightduty ones are not too high a price on ebay. as others have already pointed out.

there was a day when one of the local hardware stores would have your choice....but those days are mostly gone....

[Farmerwilly2]

Keep an eye open for old clothes dryers. I've seen some with large pulleys. Some just run a belt around the drum, some use a large pulley. If you find one post the make of dryer, they'd be a handy thing to collect.

[agmantoo]

For a press it would be hard to have the pressure and the price of a high lift jack. Just mount the jacking mechanism and use the base(foot) as the press. 7000 PSI for $40. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...0544_200310544
For grinding use a sink type disposal. Motor and grinder for cheap.

[Porteiro]

I'm pretty sure that I can scrounge a motor, pulley, belt, and make a grinder drum for less than it would cost me to buy a new garbage disposal. Although I will keep my eyes open for a garbage disposal.

[Windy in Kansas]

For the flywheel effect you want a fairly heavy sheave (pulley). Allis Chalmers combines frequently have ones that would be about the right size. You could drill a hole in one of the spokes and mount the handle there. Doing so the handle wouldn't pivot on the mounting bolt so you might want to wear gloves, powder your hand so the handle slips easily, or figure a different mounting for the wooden handle.

The sheaves I'm thinking of are cast iron so use care when drilling so as not to break the spoke. A spindle/axle could also be brazed onto it instead of drilled and mounted.

Closest machinery salvage?? http://www.farmnetservices.com/salva...ARTS/37-0.html

[MELOC]

a couple of bushings set in the handle and mounted on a long shoulder bolt would work.

[Michael Kawalek]

I bought an 8" pulley wheel like that (except for the wooden handle) at my local flea market. Can't remember what I paid, but it was just a 3-4$ I think. I suppose you could add the cranking handle yourself by just drilling a hole and mounting a short peice of wooden rod. My flea market is great for finding little odds and ends like that are expensive to order peicemeal.
Michael

[wy_white_wolf]

http://cgi.ebay.com/13-3-16-DIAMETER...d=p3286.c0.m14

[beowoulf90]

Also some of the treadmills people are always getting rid of have a decent sized pulley. The one I got from someone to tear apart had an 8" pulley in it...

You can also use the rollers for supports when cutting long boards...etc... I use the tread on outside steps that need traction, just make sure you tack it down securely..