Apple Scratter

[Onoff]

Looking to start my next unfinished project, an apple scratter:

homemade homebrew DIY Apple crushing grinder scratter for cider and apple wine making

My experiments in a homemade homebrew DIY apple grinder and scratting machine - a concrete apple crushing machine!

www.thewinepages.org.uk

First off I need a bit of stainless tube or flask about 6" diameter.

https://flic.kr/p/2qbHJM6

https://flic.kr/p/2qbHJMb

Pillow blocks will be from the @KimB style bender box of bits etc.

Anyone got any suitable tube?

I'll 3D print ends to hold the axle whilst the concrete sets.

 

[Onoff]

Off the wall thought, mods please move as this might veer away from stainless.

I've a stack of pvc pipe offcuts about 200mm diameter:

https://flic.kr/p/2qbJenc

So, 3D printed ends, stainless axle up the centre. Screw masses of stainless woodscrews into the plastic so the heads poke out 1/2" like the pics above. Cross drill the axle for some bar as a key into the concrete. Fill with SBR laden concrete.

A plan? Hygienic enough? Cleaning would be a hose down / dip in sterilising solution before use.

 

[cheb]

Would the inside or outside of a piece of twinwall flue be good enough?

 

[Pond frog]

The easy solution is to just put the apples through a garden shredder I’ve a mate who does a lot of cider and that’s how he does it. On the other hand that would deprive you of a pointless project build and where’s the fun in that

 

[Agroshield]

It might be a good idea to put the bearings outboard of the chute/hopper.

You could 3DP some labyrinth seals to keep the pulp inside, perhaps in two-snap-togehter halves so easy to remove for cleaning.

How tenacious is the pulp? If it gets in the heads and/or threads of the screws, a quick hose might not be enough to remove it, so you either have to make something to which it will not stick or make the device jet-washable.

 

[Onoff]

If it gets in the heads and/or threads of the screws, a quick hose might not be enough to remove it, so you either have to make something to which it will not stick or make the device jet-washable.

The screws are A2 countersunk 5 or 6mm. Bought on clearance from Screwfix years ago.

I'm thinking screw them in then once the concrete is set, cut the countersunk heads off.

 

[Agroshield]

The screws are A2 countersunk 5 or 6mm

What I am saying is that if the recess into which the pozi screwdriver fits gets full of apple flesh, how easy will it be to remove?

If you screw them into the pipe such that all the threads are in the pipe, that removes that issue, but short screws are generally threaded right to the underside of the head, so that is an issue to consider.

If you are going for 5mm diameter screws, A2 coach screws, with a hexagon head might be an easy-clean option (you can sand the lettering off the heads for extra smoothness). Stainless steel solid rivets might be an option because the bottom end will be concreted in.

Look at any food-related machinery. It tries very hard to avoid any place organic material can accumulate, rot and breed bugs.

 

[Onoff]

What I am saying is that if the recess into which the pozi screwdriver fits gets full of apple flesh, how easy will it be to remove?

Just a case of zing the csk heads off with a slitting disc leaving 1/2" or so of plain shank sticking out of the plastic pipe.

 

[Onoff]

Collecting parts...

I've a couple of 25mm bearing blocks, all good. Then the PVC pipe.

https://flic.kr/p/2qbXhx

https://flic.kr/p/2qbWDhL

Unfortunately the only shaft I have is a length of Imperial 1 1/4" stainless.

https://flic.kr/p/2qbWf9R

The only 25mm stainless bar I've got is some old shafts from sheaves.

 

[Agroshield]

I've a couple of 25mm bearing blocks, all good. Then the PVC pipe.

Is the inner part of those bearings removable? If so, it might be easier to make them into 1 1/4" bore than to do anything to the bar. If required, it would be easier to post two bits of bearing to someone to bore out than a big long heavy piece of stainless.

1 1/4" bore bearings are not too bad, £11.78 each: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194351374783 (search ucf bearing imperial)

Is the 25mm stainless long enough to go through the bearing and project into the centre of the PVC pipe? If so, a piece at each end and a 3DP centre piece, which also centres them in the tube would act as scaffolding until your concrete sets.

For the one at the drive end of the shaft, leave the split pin in it on the inside as it will transfer the drive torque into the concrete.

 

[gaz1]

out of wood

stainless blades are better

as a final one view this one

 

[Hotstuff]

So no magnets then?

 

[Onoff]

So no magnets then?

Nor Strongbow or Woodpecker.

 

[gaz1]

the design reference is here

 

[gaz1]

what you have is bounce up and also you need to push down to compress the apple into the drum not a good thing

compared to self feeding and if you build right easy to clean as well

added advantage is its fast

 

[Smallfry]

Looking to start my next unfinished project, an apple scratter:

homemade homebrew DIY Apple crushing grinder scratter for cider and apple wine making

My experiments in a homemade homebrew DIY apple grinder and scratting machine - a concrete apple crushing machine!

www.thewinepages.org.uk

First off I need a bit of stainless tube or flask about 6" diameter.

https://flic.kr/p/2qbHJM6

https://flic.kr/p/2qbHJMb

Pillow blocks will be from the @KimB style bender box of bits etc.

Anyone got any suitable tube?

I'll 3D print ends to hold the axle whilst the concrete sets.

Why do you want to crush concrete apples ?

I have got some 6 inch SS single wall flue here somewhere, if you change your mind. Its been used though.

 

[Onoff]

Why do you want to crush concrete apples ?

I have got some 6 inch SS single wall flue here somewhere, if you change your mind. Its been used though.

That's a good shout. Might take you up on it if the 200mm diameter PVC doesn't work.

Currently printing a quick PVA cruciform to check the fit before committing to PETG end caps:

https://flic.kr/p/2qbVWti

 

[Beanwood]

Look at any food-related machinery. It tries very hard to avoid any place organic material can accumulate, rot and breed bugs.

Ah yes - but this refers to food hygiene.

What we're potentially talking about here is Scrumpy

 

[Onoff]

Test piece for the end cap:

https://flic.kr/p/2qbWhFN

 

[Onoff]

Scrumpy

Yarp.