jeffflan Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 I would like to attempt the Anders S Lunde 'Nothing Factory' whirligig, but, I want to split the drive train using very small wooden universal joints. The 'Nothing Factory' will probably require a four blade propeller to generate enough power to move the characters, usually placed in (a straight) line. I have cut two universal joints (using my scrollsaw) however I would appreciate the views of other members, and any pictures available. My trial universal joints were cut from baltic pine and employ fine brass tube bearings, for minimal friction. Picture attached. Thanks. amazingkevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasemonkeyredneck Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Those look great to me. My only experience with U-joints though are on vehicles. The only real test will be how long they last. From looking at your photos though, with strong enough wood, those may work on a vehicle too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 I don't know much about wooden mechanical parts, but they look good to me. The only thing I can think of is to make the grain run slightly diaganal, perhaps? I think that might add a bit of strength to the joint. It would be less likely to break at the corners of the joint. But this is only a guess. I know with puzzles, I have to pay attention to grain direction to make sure the grain runs parallel to the delicate areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffflan Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Thanks for your comments. I think you are correct in that while the test universals 'look' robust, only loading them with a wind power source will prove their worth. Wood grain angle is also important (as suggested). The universal in the photo (in two pieces) did snap along the grain. It has been repaired with clear wood glue however I do not have much confidence in its durability. Maybe I should look for a tighter grained wood, however I think that would also be heavier (weight) and present other issues. Huon Pine is tight and light, and very expensive. It would sacrilege to use Huon Pine on a whirligig. Tempting but. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John (JC) Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Hi Jeff, I am new to the site and was looking for whirligig info when I spotted your question. I realize it was an old (2009) post and was wondering if you got the U-Joint finished, how did it turn out and did you get a pic of the final joint? Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings from Minnesota U.S. John (JC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 You can get hold of william and say hello from me athttp://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 I would be tempted to go with Burl ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 It's amazing how old threads can come to life again. No wonder I can't see the picture. I made a whirligig some years ago after watching Roy Underhill make one on his TV show. It didn't run very well but I'm a better woodworker now and maybe I should try again? They are a great example of folk art. I'm feeling inspired but I won't put out a whirligig in the middle of winter so it'll have to wait until spring. Fat chance I'll remember this then, huh? Wilson's Woodworking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 HUD, I stick to ducks and planes and air boats ,I use pvc textured 1x6" threaded alum screw in inserts 8-32 sholder bolts bronze sleeve bushings, pvc siding wings and props ,pvc hubs glued and pinnailed ,out winter and summer ,only problem is excessive flex of wings in high winds knocking out the eyes of the ducks and cracking wings in cold weather .no warp no weather issues ,bleach body once a yr. Kryton plastic paint on planes and snoopy ,best longest lasting ,1/2 pvc cross spacer for duck wing s .NO_LOX on threads in to alum inserts .works great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 HUD, I stick to ducks and planes and air boats ,I use pvc textured 1x6" threaded alum screw in inserts 8-32 sholder bolts bronze sleeve bushings, pvc siding wings and props ,pvc hubs glued and pinnailed ,out winter and summer ,only problem is excessive flex of wings in high winds knocking out the eyes of the ducks and cracking wings in cold weather .no warp no weather issues ,bleach body once a yr. Kryton plastic paint on planes and snoopy ,best longest lasting ,1/2 pvc cross spacer for duck wing s .NO_LOX on threads in to alum inserts .works great ! I would like to see some pictures and maybe even a tutorial of these. If you have the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Here is an old picture with two ducks shown ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Cool! My wife would love those light houses! She is from Indiana, right on the tip of Lake Michigan and they would make her think of home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) Cool! My wife would love those light houses! She is from Indiana, right on the tip of Lake Michigan and they would make her think of home. For your wife ,mine is from maine has same love for them ! If you look out on the corner of the fence ,there are 4 airplanes behind the big diy light house , and 1 air boat .This was when the pond was being put together version1 ! Changed drasticly since ! Edited December 12, 2014 by Multifasited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 What a beautiful back yard! Love the pond, the light houses, the blue bird houses and the whirly gig! I bet there are many enjoyable hours spent there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 What a beautiful back yard! Love the pond, the light houses, the blue bird houses and the whirly gig! I bet there are many enjoyable hours spent there. THATS IS ACTUALL MY FRONT YARD ,beyond the fence is my diy 18 hole golf course House sits 850' off the road . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I tried golf one time. I was pretty good at it too. It is the only sport that I achieved highest scorer. It looks GREAT anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Do to my wifes health concerns ,I built my own ,to be close ,great to be this close ,able to go out for a few minutes as weather permits and in the event my score exceeds yours ,I can leave with my wallet uncathed .great way to clear the mind for a few minutes ,takes 1 1/2 hrs to play 18 .200 yd longest shot ! keeping grass cut is only down side . Wilson's Woodworking and amazingkevin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 You know how to live it up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimper Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 I love making whirligigs and have 5 in my garden at the moment I use all sorts of scrapped items in mine, including bearings from old vacuum cleaners, bit's of rod from old clothes airers and fan blades from thin scrap metal sheets such as old metal shelving sheets. Bit's of Meccano are useful too. I love the books by Anders S Lunde they have inspired me to make my own designs. Wilson's Woodworking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John (JC) Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Hi Jeff, The pics of your U-Joint is now visible -- I guess I needed to get Logged in before I could see it ... Duh . It looks good and should work -- I agree that if wood is used for the knuckle parts, it would need to be strong and I would think hard to prevent breaking and wobbling out at the pin holes. Dimensional uniformity and alignment accuracy would be necessary to reduce vibration as a whirligig main shaft can reach higher than imagined speeds during a strong wind. Great job ... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hi Jeff, The pics of your U-Joint is now visible -- I guess I needed to get Logged in before I could see it ... Duh . It looks good and should work -- I agree that if wood is used for the knuckle parts, it would need to be strong and I would think hard to prevent breaking and wobbling out at the pin holes. Dimensional uniformity and alignment accuracy would be necessary to reduce vibration as a whirligig main shaft can reach higher than imagined speeds during a strong wind. Great job ... John I don't know why but I can also see the picture now but couldn't see it before. I know I was logged in before. You might look and see if you can find some Iron wood for the knuckles. If they can make bushings out of it they may work well for this purpose. The stuff is darn hard to cut though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John (JC) Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Iron wood should work well and grows in the southwest - I do not believe that a scroll saw project "Must" be out of wood though (unless wanted by the craftsman) and poly, brass, or aluminum would also work quite well, and there are metal blades available for the soft metals. I do not know the end project or size of the U-Joint, but am assuming it is a replica of some sort of vehicle. Just as a thought though, if the U-Joint is being added for bind-reduction in a long shaft (and not for realism) and in the range of +/- 1" O.D. or larger, a pin-gear arrangement would allow for a small amount of misalignment and could easily be made from wood ... oak for example is a hardwoods that is fairly stable and often used in whirligigs ... just a thought. JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John (JC) Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hi Danny, The Ironwood is quite attractive when polished and would look nice in any project ! Good idea JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 The more I actually think about it the more I am convinced ,even a carrier bearing will not be enough ,there is just too many tolerance factors against any amount of life especially out doors even with a slip clutch ,JMHO ! Good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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