Hey Pike Man can you go over the design of your stuffer. Materials and parts. Thanks.
I have designed 2 different hydraulic stuffers. My small counter top stuffer can be made in any size you like, just add more pipe to hold more meat. I make the parts out of UHMD poly plastic. This is the same plastic found in poly sprinkler pipe but they make it in flat sheets up to 4 inches thick. The pipe for the small stuffer is 4 inch S&D pipe. and my larger stuffer is 8 inch pipe. My small stuffer use to hold 10# but I extended it last week to hold 15# I call it my sausage Howitzer. I have designed these stuffers on my computer and I intend to sell plans which includes the patterns and instructions. I intend to ask $25 for the patterns to cover my cost and postage. I built the small stuffer in a weekend but I would expect a inexperienced person to take a little longer. The parts can be cut out with a band saw and a router on a router table.
Here are two pictures of the same stuffer in the 10 pound and the 15 pound formats.
This the 10# format.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad274/pikeman_95/German%20franks%20at%20home/smallhydrolicstuffer.jpg)
Then I extended it to 15# The sausage Howitzer. The counter top stuffer uses the water from the kitchen sink to stuff with then uses a water bed venturi to suck the ram back to get ready to fill the stuffer again. I have a ram about like a black powder cannon I use to pack the stuffer full.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad274/pikeman_95/EXTENDED%20%20COUNTER%20TOP%20STUFFER%20WITH%20NEW%20TIP/Copyof100_6365.jpg)
And last is my large stuffer. It is also hydraulic using the house water to provide the force. With 60# of water pressure The ram in the big stuffer pushes up with 3000# of force. I have a RV water pump plumbed into the system so that if I use this stuffer where there is not enough water pressure I can boost the pressure with this pump. But in most situations I do not need to use it. The stuffer works just fine with 40# of water pressure. There is another small pump used to suck the ram back down. I have not tried to use a venturi like the small stuffer but I believe it would work. The big stuffer holds 65 pounds. Both stuffers have stuffed more then 1000# each with out fail. I am presently working on a smaller stuffer in the 5-6 pound range with simpler construction. When I joined the forum I though everyone would be like me and my hunting friends and would get together and do larger batches. It seems that more of the members make more 5-10 pound batches then any thing else.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad274/pikeman_95/large%20stuffer/Picture021.jpg)
THUD.....that was my jaw hitting the floor when I got to the 65lb stuffer. WOW! I think I could get by setting up a 15lb suffer on momma's kitchen counter but I think she would flip out if I would drag in a 65 pound stuffer. That is some serious looking machine. I think I would by tickets just to see that thing in action. What a fantastic job you do with your homemade smokers, stuffers and the likes. Whoot!
Thanks for the nice comments. I thought some of the guys might like to see some of the equipment. My friends and I have a good time when we get together to make sausage. When I figure out the smaller stuffer I will get some pictures out.
Those are a work of art Kirby. You designing anything in the 20# vertical range?
Not as of yet.
We usually do 30# batches or larger so that is why I made the 15# counter top. The 10 pound counter top worked fine we just had to refill it a couple of times to get through a 30 pound batch
Kirby
Dang, M1A1 / M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank. ;D
Awesome Job!!
All I can say is WOW ! :o
It's all very impressive and that vertical stuffer is a wee bit scary. I really like your hot water cooking tank - that solves a lot of the issues with cooking sausages vs. fat out and temp control. Wish I hadn't thrown out that old lab constant temp circulator a few years back.
I remember the impressive mixer but I'm curious, what kind of grinder are you using at the front of your operation?
So... for the time challenged....
How much (for you) to build the 15lb'er....
Including shipping....
;D
I am working on a simplified version right now and will get back to you when I get done. As of yet My intent was to have the plan buyer to build their own. Give me a few days to work out the details.
Kirby
Quote from: BuyLowSellHigh on October 25, 2010, 07:29:45 AM
I remember the impressive mixer but I'm curious, what kind of grinder are you using at the front of your operation?
I am guessing it is a home built monster that mounts on a 3 point hitch and runs off the 1000 rpm shaft for boned out meats and on the 540 rpm shaft when they just want to drop the whole hog down in there still squealing!! ;D ;D
You are very close. It is a grinder that they used to use to grind horse meat for the fish at the fishhatchery where I was raised in the 60's. It is a beast on it's own wheeled base and I load it into my truck with a ramp. I also have a comercial mixer in the same size class.
Kirby
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on October 25, 2010, 08:12:16 AM
I am guessing it is a home built monster that mounts on a 3 point hitch and runs off the 1000 rpm shaft for boned out meats and on the 540 rpm shaft when they just want to drop the whole hog down in there still squealing!! ;D ;D
With two power input options -- 208 3-phase or the 300 hp diesel attachment. :o
I'm guessing a power take off is going to be required on the next vehicle I purchase. :o I am just amazed at what a man can do with the proper tools and the brains to figure stuff out. I surely take my hat off to Mr. Kirby.
What was your total investment cost into the big stuffer, looking to find something that we can make 100lb batches for summer sausage, brats, italian, ring sausage.
How does it work with smaller items like snack sticks. Right now we have 3 smokers, so we can handle 80-90lb batches that need to get smoked.
Also how soon until you have plans available...would prefer to have them emailed
The large stuffer cost me a little over $350.00 to build mostly because of the pumps. The 15#er that I am building now will be much much cheaper. I am about half way done and will post pictures of it when I get finished. I am working for low cost construction and ease of construction. If this 15# stuffer works out well It would be the answer for batches up to the 100# range. You will also use the same parts to make a small stuffer in the 5-10# range.
Kirby
I'm liking that Kirby keep us informed. and Thanks
You must have found parts cheaper than I did. My piston alone cost darn near 140.00
UHMW 6" plug is 100 per foot. And they made sure they billed a foot for only 6 inches in length.
4 ft X6" SCH80 PVC was 55.00 and 2 flanges @ 60.00 per.
12 sq X 1" UHMW for top and bottom were 48.00.
1 3 way dump vave so tap or pump. 8.00
1 pony pump (princess auto) 99.00
2 o rings for piston 12.00
As for tap hook up I used a old dishwasher (portable) connector so it will exhaust and fill through same opening. I had a incident where the pump exhaust hose was flailing around the kitchen during a reload. :-\
So mine has cost about 490 +/- and I still wanna finese it a bit. like wheel and handle to move. and a removable pump mount for ease of cleaning press.
Cleaver
I built all of my own parts including the ram.[plug as you call it] I use a router mounted on a router table to cut it out and the same goes for all the other parts. Some of them I cut out with a band saw. I design all my parts on a cad program and make patterns for the parts. I used 8 inch S&D pipe and if you look at the bottom of my stuffer there is a pressure support system so that bottom cap can take the pressure. I can dead head my ram against the top of the stuffer at 60# and it holds the pressure.
My discharge pump does not put out enough thrust to send the hose flying around the kitchen. Though it only takes a little less then a minute to suck the ram back to the bottom. We are loading up the next load of meat as it is going down. I only use the pressure pump if there is not enough pressure in the system that we are using to supply our water, does not have enough pressure.
When you use Schedule 80 Pipe they want to sell you the whole stick and the fittings are very expensive. As for the cost of the UHMD you might ask your suppliers to look in there bone pile. I have found some of the suppliers willing to sell their trim pieces a lot cheaper then if they have to cut plastic out of their sheet stock.
Do you have any pictures of your stuffer. I would like to compare them and see if they are comparable. How many pounds does you stuffer hold?
Looking forward to some pictures
Kirby
Holy COW!
I will try and get some on my days off. I like your design better. I still have to finish the 2 UHMW plates for top and bottom.
I have a 1/2 inch plate aluminum for top and bottom right now. And my stuffer is 5.75 inch ID so I used the metal lathe at school and turned the 6" pistom to fit with in .003" clearance and then used 2-6mm viton rings to seal. I found buying cheap rings better and just throw away when done. I think it costs 4-5.00.
and the 1 inch ball valve at the top I just throw it out as well. My stuffer I leave the water pressure on until finished and have never had water pass the piston.
Or air for that matter, first tested out on the deck and ended up with air and water. and no lidon first run, so when the piston got closeto top it made a heck of a boom and shot the piston about 30 ft in the air. Darn good potatoe gun prospect as well.
Stuffer holds about 25-30 lbs. Like I said yours is a nicer design, wish I had seen it before building mine.
And I was just out in the garage and see I still have enough SCH80 pipe to make another. If I had gotten the full foot of the piston I paid for I would have built a horizontal one for counter top as well. The reason I'm going to the UHMW plates top and bottom is so the stuffer will sit right on the floor and dead head at top and bottom. But I need to find a lathe that will turn 12" square so I can get the perfect cut. Right now I have bulk head fittings and loose about 1-2 pounds that don't get into casing. which is great for spagetti sauce the next day.
I am a plumber so i can get the fittings pipe ect. What are the clamps you used on the ends called. When you get the plans done let me know as well
I designed and made the clamps my self out of UHMD plastic and modified carriage bolts. The new design I am working will not have clamps. I am working on a different seal system. Being a plumber this is right down your alley. There are only two parts that you will have to make and they are not too difficult. When I get it finished I will post pictures. I am having a little problem finding time working on the project as our general hunting season just started.
Kirby
Quote from: pikeman_95 on October 30, 2010, 02:16:01 PM
I designed and made the clamps my self out of UHMD plastic and modified carriage bolts. The new design I am working will not have clamps. I am working on a different seal system. Being a plumber this is right down your alley. There are only two parts that you will have to make and they are not too difficult. When I get it finished I will post pictures. I am having a little problem finding time working on the project as our general hunting season just started.
Kirby
A man has got to have priorities!!! It's hunting season so we are sorry to inform you that all design elements have been placed on temporary hold until the completion of hunting season!!
Pretty sure hunting is a trump all....well almost all ;)
My brother is working on designing me a water stuffer. He is a mechanical engineer and thinks we should make it out of stainless steel...he can get the supplies for essentially nothing due to his job so I don't think I am going to argue.
Looking forward to seeing the advanced plans.
Stainless would be the best medium to work with but the cost for the average guy would be prohibitive and the building skills and equipment needed would also be difficult for most. My plan is to make something that works well with the minimum of building. It is easy to glue pipe fittings and making a few simple parts, and should be with in reach of most anyone on the forum. I have most of the parts built or bought I just need to take a some time to make the last few parts. I have spent the most of my time finding the right pipe fittings that will work for the project.
Kirby
Love all of the "stuff" that I have seen that you have made, U are a very talented!
I am really excited to see what you come up with, I have small 5lb LEM right now
but would love to build my self a bigger one. can't have too many toys ;D ;D
Good luck with the hunting.
SnC