BK Mini Skimmer build.... DIY !

OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
cant even find how much a 2.5" sheet cost but a for a 4x8 sheet of 2" thick it is about $4,000.00
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
lol yea thick cell cast is really expensive.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
BTW, these will be the last two I build. building two of these at once reminds me why I dont do this fora living. ITs a lot of time to make all these parts by hand. You get a premium product but its a lot of work. All said and done I will have 40+hrs in each skimmer.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
ok I just have to glue this one together. Although everything fits so precise I can take it apart and put it back together. and it holds water with glue.

well This might help.... Here is where I am at with the cup..... What do you all think?

0612000031.jpg

the base with the o ring installed

it is so clear its like a piece of crystal

0612000036.jpg



this pic helps show the curve in the transition up to the neck. All hand done.

0612000040.jpg


and this will help give you an idea of size

0612000038.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
this thing is som much more impressive in person. has me a little excited.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
a couple more pics for you all.

0612000341.jpg



0612000341a.jpg
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
All she needs is exit plumbing a lid and base. and skimmer #1 is done. Oh and I have to replace the steel bolt with a plastic one for the bubble plate.
 

MitchReef

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
709
Reaction score
6
Location
Sunny Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This is a monster build and I'm very impressed. I love DIY.

Just one question. Why did you machine the transition, when it seems a heated and pressed curve would achieve about the same curvature at much less expense and effort? I have made them by placing a piece of heated acrylic on top of the body tube and then pressing the neck piece down into it until cool. Then just cut it off at each diameter.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Becuase of this design and how the cup rest on the body you need the weight of the acrylic to help seal the cup to the body. without the weight the foam will raise the cup right off the top. Kind of hard to do what you suggested with a 2.5 in thick piece of acrylic.
 

gar732

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
2,354
Reaction score
364
Location
CT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It looks awsome! I'm tempted to give it a try myself, I'd just have to figure out how to tackle the neck. Any suggestion on where to get materials? And the 2.5in cell cast you used for the neck, is that something you can get in smaller pieces? Thanks for the informative thread.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
yes I buy almost all my acrylic as scrap pieces. Saves a ton of money. For example the 2.5 in piece was about $60 shipped fora 13x19 in piece. so that was way cheaper to buy it that way.
The neck I cut it out square first. Then cut the corners off. then I put a bolt through the middle of it so I can turn down the outer radius. One I get that down I use a hole saw to cut a circle out of the middle. less machining that way. then go from there.
 

Troylee

all about the diy!!!!!
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2010
Messages
18,054
Reaction score
13,286
Location
Vegas baby!!!!
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I might be able to cast them Jesse once I see it in person.... Just make a mold and mix up some weldon40... Just a thought anyways I'm sure it is easier than turning it on a lathe.... I have made transtion pieces by forming cones and molding cones but like you mention the weight is not there... If it was cast in a sigle block might be able to do it thou.... Although I'm thinking it would get very pricey....
 

revhtree

Owner Administrator
View Badges
Joined
May 8, 2006
Messages
47,603
Reaction score
85,991
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Bro this is awesome fo sho!
 

MitchReef

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
709
Reaction score
6
Location
Sunny Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I understand what you are saying. I didn't even think of needing the weight. This is an amazing build.
 
OP
OP
mojo

mojo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
36
Location
IN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
the cup is glued together. i ll start machining the second transition here soon. I would imagine that I ll be done with both units by the end of this coming week.
 
Back
Top