Its amazing that something posted so long ago is still useful today. Just finished making my own slab roller after watching this video. So wonderful of you to post it all those years ago. Works perfect and I'm sure the grand children are going to love it! (they hate the roller pin)
oh funny about the grand kids; I feel glad it worked out for you. I always intended this one to be my 'working prototype'.. but it actually works fine for what I do. Be sure to add plenty of structure under the table top for nice even slabs. I believe someone else posted the same design but used oak boards and filled the rollers w concrete.. both great improvements. I wish you well edward
Thank you so much for posting. This is not only going to fill out the wife's studio equipment list very nicely, but it will be the coolest Christmas present EVER!
I have been dreaming of making my own die cutting machine. I did figure out how to make one that uses a lever after watching many TH-cam videos. I still kept wondering what it takes to make one that uses a roller. Thank you very much for posting this video. Now I know that I am one step - a HUGE step - closer to making my dream come true, alhamdulillah! I like that it truly is so easy. May Allah reward you for generously sharing your knowledge.
Thanks. I believe the larger thicker PVC is best for up top. You can also do it with smaller tube down below with crank on it for greater torque. Take care.Bill
yes I've heard of doing that sounds like a good idea; at least for the upper roller. You can also use a smaller roller on the bottom and put the crank there for more leverage.And the table obviously doesn't need to be that deep. Mine is the working prototype; the final would be made from channel iron. But his is a cheap way to get a slab roller I wish you well, Bill
Built mine last week. Super awesome. I will cut 3/4" plywood parts (latest design) for lower 48 folks (for $100 plus wood/materials and shipping) if folks want them.
Now I like this one simple design and operation sweet only thing I would do different would be to make it table top or with fold away legs as I have a very small work shop so Foot print is always a worry. Great idea.
hi Ayala my rollers are 4 1/2" diameter but the diameter doesn't matter too much bigger better for one that contacts clay you can use a smaller one on bottom and put crank there for more leverage I would keep distance between rollers close... mine are probably too far i wish you well Bill
that will depend on the size of the slab roller and the diameter of the rollers; you'll figure it out as you go... maybe assemble the table and rollers and use a length of string to run it as I ran it w cable then go get a little more than that length of the cable you want to use
to make drum more rigid add caps to each end and fill with tightly packed mud before second cap there is a guy on youtube that does wood working that made a thikness planer that has a bed adjustment design you might barrow so you can do away with the extra planks. it is also very inventive in its design. By using simple geometry he has it to were he can adjust it a little or a lot as his need dictates.
magnificanet! I am going to build one like this. Can you specify what size the table is? and what is the diameter of the roller? What shall be the distance between the rollers? (I was thinking to make the internal surface 60X100 cm and to use 4" diameter pipes as a roller ). Your response will be gighly appreciated.
I made my own and it works very well. The only issue I have is that the cable walks along the rollers and the rollers don't stay parallel to each other. I've tried to make sure the tension is the same by making them the exact length and the eye bolts tightened to the same length. Any advice?
hi 2L,I've not had that issue; but, thinking about it 'bout the only thing I can imagine is that the distance between the two rollers is different one side to the other.. in other words the two sides upon which the rollers ride are of unequal thickness dimensions. also i found it a little difficult to get the two rollers to start out exactly from the same place; finally i turned the thing on end and secured the two rollers all the way to one end and to the frame before I ran the cables around the figure "8" pattern. Are the cable both wrapped in exactly the same pattern. Or just loosen the cables enough that you can gragually work them both back all the way to one end then snug up the cables.
hello Sara, I used mostly 1x6 boards, 2x4s under table top for strength; masonite sheets to govern slab thickness. also 5" PVC pipe steel cable, cable clamps, "I" bolts with wing nuts to tension rollers and a wooden dowel through holes to turn the top roller. hope that helps
@nicksmiley Hi nick, yes I've heard of that.. these dont flex enought to even notice Probably if the thing was wider they would but yea I'm sure that would eliminate flexing I wish you the best Bill
you make it seem as if the cable is one length that goes from one end of the table, around the rollers, to the other end of the table. I don't believe that's the actual case. It seems like you have cables on each side that keep the roller in line with the table and figure 8s on each side of the table going around both rollers and inside of the cables on each table side. Amiright??@@newearthclaypottery
+John Gleeson Hi John that's a great Idea. Actually this is only a working prototype; I have a couple steel rollers about same diameter as these PVC pipes I plan to use on the final version
yes it works well; not as precise as I imagine the final welded metal with metal rollers will work.. but it suite me for the amount and size of slab work I do
@@newearthclaypottery I am thinking of making one! copying the idea of 2 pvc pipes, filling it with concrete to make sold . Attach both of them to the same side holders. Make the lower one as a drive by adding handle to the side. While The upper piper will move up and down for variable thickness!! What do you think?
@@mibrahi05 well a crank on lower (possibly smaller one for more 'leverage') roller seems like a good idea.. but it's easier to just change thickness by lowering and raising the bed than trying to create a rising upper roller. I wish you success
Its amazing that something posted so long ago is still useful today. Just finished making my own slab roller after watching this video. So wonderful of you to post it all those years ago. Works perfect and I'm sure the grand children are going to love it! (they hate the roller pin)
edward shearer Hi, I’m interested in building one also. Did you use pvc? Any changes from video? What size did you make yours? Thank you, dorie
oh funny about the grand kids; I feel glad it worked out for you. I always intended this one to be my 'working prototype'.. but it actually works fine for what I do. Be sure to add plenty of structure under the table top for nice even slabs. I believe someone else posted the same design but used oak boards and filled the rollers w concrete.. both great improvements. I wish you well edward
Thank you so much for posting. This is not only going to fill out the wife's studio equipment list very nicely, but it will be the coolest Christmas present EVER!
This looks great. I would say you do not need steel rollers. Just fill the pvc pipe with concrete to stop the flexing.
I have been dreaming of making my own die cutting machine. I did figure out how to make one that uses a lever after watching many TH-cam videos. I still kept wondering what it takes to make one that uses a roller.
Thank you very much for posting this video. Now I know that I am one step - a HUGE step - closer to making my dream come true, alhamdulillah! I like that it truly is so easy.
May Allah reward you for generously sharing your knowledge.
Thanks.
I believe the larger thicker PVC is best for up top.
You can also do it with smaller tube down below with crank on it for greater torque.
Take care.Bill
Well explained. I am going to build one and I will use the PCP but will fill it with concrete plaster.
I love that!! Thanks for the info! I might just give it a go! I don't DO a lot of slab work but a smaller one of these would be a treat!!
yes I've heard of doing that sounds like a good idea; at least for the upper roller.
You can also use a smaller roller on the bottom and put the crank there for more leverage.And the table obviously doesn't need to be that deep. Mine is the working prototype; the final would be made from channel iron. But his is a cheap way to get a slab roller
I wish you well,
Bill
Ohh thank you very much for sharing, a boon for someone like me who cannot afford the expensive ones
Built mine last week. Super awesome. I will cut 3/4" plywood parts (latest design) for lower 48 folks (for $100 plus wood/materials and shipping) if folks want them.
Thank you so much! I made one and I love it !
I am making handmade tiles for my shower !
Brilliant! This is why I Love TH-cam!!!
+David DeWitt yes I've and still do.. am getting much inspiration from the vids here
thank you for youtr kind words
Brilliant have you the plans
So smart.. Thank you for posting this.
Thanks I made my own and it work great!!!!!!
DOING IT!! hope to make the tile for my kitchen remodel.
it is pretty simple I wish you success
I like yours. Mine required some machining. Got the directions from an old Ceramics Monthly issue.
Now I like this one simple design and operation sweet only thing I would do different would be to make it table top or with fold away legs as I have a very small work shop so Foot print is always a worry. Great idea.
+Th Linn gill
thank you Jill others also noted that possibility good idea
@ford7653
Hi,
Thanks.
I've heard of that: however the flexing, if it actually does flex is not a factor w sizes I roll.
hi Ayala my rollers are 4 1/2" diameter but the diameter doesn't matter too much bigger better for one that contacts clay
you can use a smaller one on bottom and put crank there for more leverage
I would keep distance between rollers close... mine are probably too far
i wish you well
Bill
This is great! Can you tell us how much cable wire you used for this?
that will depend on the size of the slab roller and the diameter of the rollers; you'll figure it out as you go... maybe assemble the table and rollers and use a length of string to run it as I ran it w cable then go get a little more than that length of the cable you want to use
@newearthclaypottery thank you!
@resolutionist
Thanks. Making the model helprd me work it out
@juneyb01
You're welcome
Thanks for saying...
Bill
that was great...keep up the good work.......
thank you, i made one and i love it!
you are grate!!! Dafna :)
Gracias!!! es un gran invento para planchas o placas. Muy muy bueno!!!!
Marisa Nuñezez: danada (sp?)
+newearthclaypottery De nada :)
@juneyb01
You're welcome.
I wish you the best if you try to make one.
Bill
What does it look like under the masonite bed? Trying to figure out the structure of what is holding up the masonite pieces.
under the masonite I built a 2x4 frame like floor joists; then 1" boars on that, then the masonite
thats so cool and easy to make thanks a lot :)
to make drum more rigid add caps to each end and fill with tightly packed mud before second cap there is a guy on youtube that does wood working that made a thikness planer that has a bed adjustment design you might barrow so you can do away with the extra planks. it is also very inventive in its design. By using simple geometry he has it to were he can adjust it a little or a lot as his need dictates.
magnificanet! I am going to build one like this.
Can you specify what size the table is? and what is the diameter of the roller?
What shall be the distance between the rollers?
(I was thinking to make the internal surface 60X100 cm and to use 4" diameter pipes as a roller ).
Your response will be gighly appreciated.
I made my own and it works very well. The only issue I have is that the cable walks along the rollers and the rollers don't stay parallel to each other. I've tried to make sure the tension is the same by making them the exact length and the eye bolts tightened to the same length. Any advice?
hi 2L,I've not had that issue; but, thinking about it 'bout the only thing I can imagine is that the distance between the two rollers is different one side to the other.. in other words the two sides upon which the rollers ride are of unequal thickness dimensions.
also i found it a little difficult to get the two rollers to start out exactly from the same place; finally i turned the thing on end and secured the two rollers all the way to one end and to the frame before I ran the cables around the figure "8" pattern. Are the cable both wrapped in exactly the same pattern. Or just loosen the cables enough that you can gragually work them both back all the way to one end then snug up the cables.
Great video! May I ask what kind of metal wire is used here? Thanks :)
hello Sara, I used mostly 1x6 boards, 2x4s under table top for strength; masonite sheets to govern slab thickness. also 5" PVC pipe steel cable, cable clamps, "I" bolts with wing nuts to tension rollers and a wooden dowel through holes to turn the top roller. hope that helps
you can get two nice steel rollers from old discarded treadmills
thanks for that suggestion; I will keep it in mind when I start on the final version
Can you show it compress a slab?
@newearthclaypottery Built mine last week. Super awesome.
thanks I wish you well
Bill
so what about pouring concrete into the rollers?
thanks Shanna 1950
@nicksmiley
Hi nick,
yes I've heard of that.. these dont flex enought to even notice
Probably if the thing was wider they would
but yea I'm sure that would eliminate flexing
I wish you the best
Bill
Hi do you have a link to the plan i would like to build one too. TIA!
@DirtKickerStudio
Thaks.
Just what I am looking for, and the plans were offered but the link would not open, am I too late, I do hope not. Mo Duck
Maureen Duck I did not offer actual plans; perhaps you're thinking of one of the other home made slab rollers on you tube
you make it seem as if the cable is one length that goes from one end of the table, around the rollers, to the other end of the table. I don't believe that's the actual case. It seems like you have cables on each side that keep the roller in line with the table and figure 8s on each side of the table going around both rollers and inside of the cables on each table side. Amiright??@@newearthclaypottery
@pj6991 yes; two cables one n each side
beginning at one end of the table to the roller.. then a couple fig 8s and then to the other end
@credenza1 Oh my.. never thought of it that way but.. thanks!
Hi I was wondering do u still have the little mini one if so could I have it or one like .
Hi I do have it and will keep it to show friends and visitors to my shop... look close; I feel confident you can replicate it yourself
Hi maybe you could cast concrete into the pipe, that would make it more rigid
+John Gleeson
Hi John that's a great Idea.
Actually this is only a working prototype; I have a couple steel rollers about same diameter as these PVC pipes I plan to use on the final version
Very cool!!
How about plaster cast rollers (from your pvc pipe) instead of metal? I find clay sticks to metal rollers.
yes it does but I always use a medium of some sort; most potters do be it paper canvas andf old sheet something between the rollers and the clay
Awesome!!! Thanks so much!
Thank you.
I git a kick outa makin' my own quipment
superb, thank you for sharing.
Does it really work?
yes it works well; not as precise as I imagine the final welded metal with metal rollers will work.. but it suite me for the amount and size of slab work I do
@@newearthclaypottery
I am thinking of making one! copying the idea of 2 pvc pipes, filling it with concrete to make sold . Attach both of them to the same side holders. Make the lower one as a drive by adding handle to the side. While The upper piper will move up and down for variable thickness!! What do you think?
@@mibrahi05 well a crank on lower (possibly smaller one for more 'leverage') roller seems like a good idea.. but it's easier to just change thickness by lowering and raising the bed than trying to create a rising upper roller. I wish you success
Hi! can you provide some draws or scetches, dimensions etc, pls?
love it!
@karenchristutube
Cool....cant wait to see what u come up with
@jmg1957
Thank you
Brilliant.
Awesome!
Made a Slab Roller and turned it into a Woodblock Press
Woodblock Press
awesome thanks
thank you carlos
very cool. thanks.
@codyjones1969 Cool!...Not very hard was it..?
I'll visit yur site ...... maybe see it in action...?
I wish you the best..
Bill
@nicksmiley
Hope she likes it !
Bill
pretty cool
@akasha1211
Thanks!
pretty cool