Guru
Joined: 15/07/2006
Location: AustraliaPosts: 640
| Posted: 12:05pm 09 Jan 2011 |
..............and fillm too has posted on his AXFX.
I must give all credit to Gordon though, for the info and help to get an AXFX on the go. Gordon's work, experiments & experience is very valuable. It is what I have learned from Gordon that got me excited, more than a year ago, about making one. Thanks heaps Gordon.
Well, I have finished off the fitting of the magnets. Getting them apart is a big fight. Marcy helped me a lot to get them apart. When we were down to the last 2, and had no ply between them, I had to try the vice (thanks Glenn). But the vice is made of steel and so you need to be very careful because these magnets have the power to squash your fingers (experience says, it hurts too). With one clamped you can slide the other one off. It is easier to get them off the steel vice than off another magnet.
The steel ring is machined to the right diameter for the magnets, so just had to be level on the outside and spaced equally between. The magnets can be slid on the steel or bumped along gently with a piece of wood. I used an aluminium/plastic soft hammer. The alloy is not affected with the magnetic force. the washers added with the wood spacers are 316 stainless steel which is also not affected. But my vernier calipers (stainless steel) are. Sure gives you a fright when they are pulled from your hand and you are not expecting it. My watch is stainless steel, and not affected, except the magnets stop it working while they are close.
All in place, then are just glued with super glue. With paint on, I went to work on the next bit, drill holes to hold the stator in place. I couldn't remember what drill I used, and habit, just check anyway. I very quickly realized this was not a good thing to do at this point in time. The drill bit was pulled from my hand cutting 2 fingers, not bad thankfully. Anyhow, its the pain that hurts, doesn't hurt anymore when the pain goes away. Just goes to show, you can't be too careful.
After 5 layers of paint...I hate rust.....I decided to put some silicon around the bolts to ensure the moisture can't start rusting under the bolts. The paint is taking too long to harden up too, so I don't intend to paint again to cover up the brown silicon.
Cleaned up the stator and gave it a coat of resin all over, including the coils. Wired the 3 coils in series. These are all external for checking voltage once I get it all set up.
I have put together a new set of blades and balanced them. Getting closer now.
Trev @ drivebynature.com