SamSuka
Primitive Technology
Primitive Technology

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One Way Spinning, Rope Stick Blower

I made a type of forge blower that spins continuously in one direction only, driven with a simple rope and stick, using a novel technique I developed. The rope, wrapped around the rotor, is pulled down and back via the stick on the power stroke, tightening and causing the rotor to spin clockwise. The stick is then lifted up towards the rotor and pushed forward on the return stroke, loosening the ropes grip around the rotor, allowing it to continue to spin in the same direction due to its momentum. The cycle is then repeated producing uninterrupted, one way, high speed rotation.  Until now the blowers I made intermittently spun clockwise, stopped, and then turned anti clockwise driven either by a stick and rope mechanism or by a string passed over a groove in the top of the rotor (see start of video). Energy was wasted each time the rotation was halted and reversed. This also meant that only symmetrical blower housings could be used, more efficient volute shaped housings could not.  But with the new operating technique producing one way rotation, a volute shaped housing was built and tested, working as intended.   The other change to the blower was that it is now mounted vertically rather than laid out horizontally. The rotor is suspended between two upright stakes that have a single hole partly bored into each of them. These hold the ends of the rotor, acting as thrust bearings. This simple frame allows the rotor to spin freely.  The new blower will be used for iron smelting and will be compared with the older blower designs. The potential advantages are better efficiency and ergonomics. Less effort seems to be expended due to the continuous momentum being conserved through each cycle. Also, one hand is left free during use which might be an advantage during forging (i.e. using tongs, adding charcoal etc.). The disadvantage is that it's less portable than the original, the wooden stakes need to be driven into soft ground meaning there's less places it can be used. But this is a negligible issue if the forging area is permanent.

One Way Spinning, Rope Stick Blower

Comments

Yes, I've seen versions like this where it is rolled against the leg to make it quickly. I tried that method but the manual twisting seems to make a tighter rope. Good to see though, thanks.

Primitive Technology

I just found this video on Japanese sandal making that has a fiber rope making technique at 1:10 that you might find helpful? https://youtu.be/Mq76W9GHCgA?si=tfJBDfBSiK_7pYej

Judah Sher

It seems to be more efficient too, worth a try at building if you get a chance. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

Sophisticated idea and construction. Congrats on your success.

Hizuna

Congratulations on finding a better way to do unidirectional rotation! I still think that the "stirring a hoop" idea that I described to you before would work even better. You get to drive the axis 100% of the time instead of only 50% of the time and you can keep the vertical axis from your previous designs. I uploaded a short video of the concept, I hope it is more evident in this way how it works. Imagine the thumb+index finger of the right hand on the video being a big circular hoop that you hold with your dominant hand. https://videos.trom.tf/w/m4ifkh811s4pTniM2P1A1B

Julian Gonggrijp

Yes it should but I only just got it done last week and didn't have time. Ideally, any clay left out in the weather needs firing but the blowers still work without firing, needing to be stored inside when not in use. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

Shouldn't the housing go through firing? Or is this still a prototype that will undergo further changes?

Mario Stoilov

Thanks. I think it might be possible to attach it to the foot with a stirrup and used instead of the hand but need to test it. I tried it left handed and it was hard though, I imagine having it foot powered would require practice. I'll put it in future videos to show how the new design works. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

This is fantastic! Would it be feasible to make a treadle mechanism rather than using the bow? It would probably be much more ergonomic, and free up both hands! Although I imagine you'll have more trouble with friction at the bearings with this new design without adding any additional complications. Love it, and I'm interested to see how well it is working for you in future videos!

John Dalton

It's so that they don't break the housing if they hit the walls (leaves bend). You're welcome for the fire making!

Primitive Technology

I'm a little surprised you used leaves instead of strips of wood for your fan blades. Thanks for the satisfying firemaking!

Amy Tobol

I guess it's where the imperial foot measurement comes from. Yes, should be easy to make, much appreciated.

Primitive Technology

I got a chuckle out of using your feet to measure a meter. The Internet ruin anyone else? Definitely excited to see what the addition of a flywheel could do to help efficiency wise.

VoidWalker

Plus the gearing system or pulleys and what not. That's the complex part that needs to be made. I've experimented with cane wheels but they're rickety and the rope keeps coming off. Could be done though.

Primitive Technology

Definitely, anything that will conserve momentum. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

Yes, A fly wheel is a good idea in any case, maybe as part of the fan, the whole unit being of clay. I'll think about how to loosen it during the return phase in an automated fashion.

Primitive Technology

I logged in to talk to you about this. It made me think of a spindle whorl, like the Romans and others used for spinning yarn. Basically a chunky bead on the spindle to keep it going.

Corey Newell

Some sort of a flywheel might do the trick fix up a foot pedal that is string like your bow to work in one direction and the flywheel would carry it through.

Kenneth Crips

The water would have to be damned up and for that location the only practical water wheel would be the undershot type they need more water flow to work they don't have the energy overshot wheels have.

Kenneth Crips

Yes but no large falls. I'd need to make a pulley and wheel to make use of the stream. I considered a direct drive where the water falls till it has enough speed and hits a small diameter wheel but it would need to be really high. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

Probably just make the spokes heavier or make the fan wheel from clay. I'll test it and see. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

Yes, the trick is to figure out how to make an idle phase so the fan continues in one direction unlike a conventional pole lathe where it spins both ways intermittently. Thanks.

Primitive Technology

water power is the ticket . I know there is a stream nearby. Is it suitable for a small waterwheel?

Andrew K Dickey

This is incredible! I wonder if there is a way to add more weight, like a flywheel, so that you can build up and maintain a higher rotation speed over time.

Kurt Bruns

https://coppicecrafts.blogspot.com/2014/

Kenneth Crips

All right you almost have it now go look up a Spring Pole lathe. You want the style that uses a tree branch like a spring.

Kenneth Crips


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