Last Post 16 Jan 2016 07:44 PM by  Jeff Martin
Scale model ball mill plans wanted for school and library shows.
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TOM FEST
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27 May 2014 10:25 AM

    I would like to have a small ball mill to run (as an introduction while people are seating) that is approximately to scale for free library and school shows.  Are there any plans or is there an engineer or metal worker out there with some free time who might like to help?  The balls I have were found in Eastern Oregon (thrown out when worn out) and are 1.085 inches.  I don't know their original diameter.  Does anyone know?  Thanks.. when it is built, it will be available to clubs to borrow for educational purposes.  festfam@wwest.net

     

    DONALD BAILEY
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    02 Aug 2014 08:37 PM
    Is there any gold mines around where you live that are still milling gold? I know that Homestake Gold Mine in Lead went out of business in 2001 and they used I think both a rod mill and a ball mill but I dont think that Wharf Mine also in Lead SD is active and may be able to help you with answers. If not I will check around with some of the old timers and see what they have to say about the size of the balls when they were new now I am a bit curious.

    Don
    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    05 Aug 2014 01:20 PM
    IIRC there have been at least a couple of old Gold Fever shows that have been done with ball mills, either still running or not.  Might be some info available there.
    Jeff Martin
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    16 Jan 2016 07:44 PM

    When it comes to grinding balls, shape, sizes, it depends on the grind size required.  This is usually determined by what is needed to liberate the desired product from the ore.  The ore coarseness and hardness are some of the determining factors.  In the wet milling process ball mill operation, we use anything from a mixture of 1" ball or larger.  Sometimes ball sizes (mill charge) are mixed with multiple sized ball types.  The metallurgist usually does most of the determination based on the ore type at the time.  Ball wear is very seldom if ever uniform.  The balls will deform or even have a flat side sometimes. 

    As for a as ball/rod mill plans for a scale or small scale.   There are a few nice ball and rod mill small scall examples on you tube that use gallon paint cans with a clear see through lid.  I use this method with marbles, large and small with corn flakes or rice crispies to show the example of how the process works in a dry ball mill for training.  It also allows one to show how speed effects the process.  To slow all the media and ore just rolls, to fast the centrifugal effect happens.  With just the right speed one can see the effective impact of the media on the ore at the toe of the mill.

    Below link is a good basic overview.  Hope not to much detail or to technical.

    http://www.rocketsaway.co...eory_sponenburgh.pdf

    Hope this helps.

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