Rolling mill - uses/thoughts?

keeena

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My FIL saved this from the dumpster and gave it to me. When he first described it I was hoping it was a ring roller, but only has 2 wheels. I figured out that its a Cavallin 120mm Rolling Mill. Its used by jewelers for forming thin stock and bar. (link). Cavallin is supposedly the cadillac of rolling mills...it is ridiculously stout. Its missing the middle spur gear/handle at the top for the height adjustment and the guard for the end-gears, but otherwise complete and functions well. They fetch quite a bit of money (this example just sold on ebay last month for $1300... :oops: )

I don't have any use for it as it is. I would be a neat restore project; I haven't cut gears before and this might be a fun project for that.

My main question: I was wondering if there are applications (besides profiling) or modifications to this which might make it useful in a home machine shop? The geometry wouldn't be practical to make it into a ring roller. A pasta machine for really tough dough?

PS - curious: what is the point of the double end-gear arrangement? Is it to remove lash similar to scissor gears used in some camshaft systems?

PXL_20210816_121057050.jpg
PXL_20210816_121107557.jpg
What it looks like complete:
s-l1600 (3).jpg
 
The double end gear arrangement might be to smooth out any motion as the gears mesh and unmesh to prevent small bumps in the rolled stock . Just a guess though
 
Old laundry wringers used the same double gear arrangement to smooth out motion with varying center distance so as to not damage clothes.
 
If I were designing a rolling mill, one of the important functions is to accurately set the distance between the rollers. Both ends of the upper roller must be adjustable, and they must move in a parallel fashion.. This looks like a quick way to make sure that the ends move in synchrony. Typical usage would be to roll the stock (flat or wire), then tighten the top shaft which would bring the rollers closer together. The stock would be rolled again, making it flatter and flatter. These tools do a great job and excel for hot work. If working non ferrous metals cold, make sure to regularly anneal, maybe even with the aid of sparex to keep things clean.
 
It is for changing the size of rods,or thickness of metal, mainly for jewelry making.
 
Fix it up, sell it on eBay. Buy something you need, like a ring-roller and several other things.
 
My guess is that you could order the center gear to complete the roll mill if you decide you don't want to venture into cutting your own gear. I know that you can order replacement rollers if the company is still in business which will probably need to be done looking at the state of the current rollers. I doubt that chucking the rollers up in a lathe to smooth them out will be sufficient to make it acceptable for a jeweler. I would also look at the bearings for the rollers if you decide to fix it up.

Like said above, fix it up and sell it.

Buy a ring roller if you need a ring roller, or better yet make your own from scratch. :)
 
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