Another DIY skimmer

[DonW]

This time its a single beckett.

Don

 

[big t]

Well Don, it looks pretty much just like what I had imagined it would when we were talking today. Looks like some damn good work too, it will be different and cool. BTW that clutch pack fell apart again lol.

 

[reeffan]

Don, how big is this thing and what size pump are you using? It looks pretty darn good project. Also, the base that you are using, is that a thick piece acrylic sheet?

reeffan

 

[DonW]

Don, how big is this thing and what size pump are you using? It looks pretty darn good project. Also, the base that you are using, is that a thick piece acrylic sheet?

reeffan

Its not going to be a monster, I havent decided on height but the main tube is 8". Pump will be what ever works, propably Iwaki. The base is 2" acrylic. I dont know it you can see in the pic Ive machined the base instead of going through the tube.

Don

 

[DonW]

Here a different twist for flanges. Should be easier than key holes.
This is just a test piece.

Don

 

[DonW]

Time for a neck. This was just plain 1/4 flat acrylic.

Don

 

[wrightme43]

Ok Don How did you do the neck. I am guessing heat, and a bowl. Is that right?

 

[DonW]

Ok Don How did you do the neck. I am guessing heat, and a bowl. Is that right?

Close! A bowl works but then you have no way to finish cutting it perfectly. I turned a mdf cone on the lathe, used a stack of 6 3/4 thick glued together. Leave the chuck on. Cook the acrylic then press. Now the trick is to use thin carpet / wood turners tape and stick it back on the cone. Go back to the lathe and do the finish cutting. This way its all perfectly round and even.

Make sense
Don

 

[DonW]

I dumped the cone flange for twist lock. Its official you do not need a cnc.

Don

 

[wrightme43]

Close! A bowl works but then you have no way to finish cutting it perfectly. I turned a mdf cone on the lathe, used a stack of 6 3/4 thick glued together. Leave the chuck on. Cook the acrylic then press. Now the trick is to use thin carpet / wood turners tape and stick it back on the cone. Go back to the lathe and do the finish cutting. This way its all perfectly round and even.

Make sense
Don

Uhhh no. Whats a MDF? Whats 6 3/4 Whats the carpet tape? Sorry I am ignorant when it comes to this stuff.
Diggin on the home made twist locs. I like that idea alot. Steve

 

[DonW]

Uhhh no. Whats a MDF? Whats 6 3/4 Whats the carpet tape? Sorry I am ignorant when it comes to this stuff.
Diggin on the home made twist locs. I like that idea alot. Steve

MDF, Medium density fiber board. 6 3/4" thick pieces stacked and glued together. Carpet tape, very thin plastic double sided tape.

Don

 

[DonW]

Still have a long way to go but you can get a general idea. Nothing is glued just stacked.

Don

 

[reeffan]

Sweeeeet Don, can wait to see it finished!

reeffan

 

[big t]

So what are the 2 tubes on the right for? Looks like it is coming right along, good job Don

 

[DonW]

Tom,
Those are the waste collector. They will be connected together with 1" clear tube. You will be able to install and remove like a aaa battery in your tv remote. Push down (spring loaded) and they will tip out as one unit. You can barely see in the pic there is a acrylic rod threaded and tapped from the black lid down through the base.

Make sense
Don