Serving tool

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Aug 8, 2019
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My serving tool is ready and working precise, fast and is automatic.

See the pictures and movie.

Most parts come from Ali express and the motor and power supply are scratch from an old Canon pixma printer.
On Ali I got a direction unit for 3 euro, left turn or right turn just by pushing the button, even the speed is adjusted.
Most parts are cnc parts
If there are questions let me hear.

In post #13 you find an exact description and part list to make one on your own.


IMG_1627.JPGIMG_1628.JPGIMG_1629.JPGIMG_1630.JPGIMG_1631.JPGIMG_1632.JPGIMG_1633.JPGIMG_1634.JPGIMG_1635.JPGIMG_1637.JPGIMG_1638.JPGIMG_1639.JPGIMG_1640.JPGIMG_1641.JPGIMG_1643.JPGIMG_1644.JPGIMG_1645.JPGIMG_1646.JPGIMG_1653.JPGIMG_1654.JPGIMG_1656.JPGIMG_1657.JPGIMG_1599.JPGIMG_1602.JPG
IMG_1603.JPG
 
Last edited:
My serving tool is ready and working precise, fast and is automatic.

See the pictures and movie.

Most parts come from Ali express and the motor and power supply are scratch from an old Canon pixma printer.
On Ali I got a direction unit for 3 euro, left turn or right turn just by pushing the button, even the speed is adjusted.
Most parts are cnc parts
If there are questions let me hear.


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View attachment 235139
Genius. Great work.
 
My serving tool is ready and working precise, fast and is automatic.

See the pictures and movie.

Most parts come from Ali express and the motor and power supply are scratch from an old Canon pixma printer.
On Ali I got a direction unit for 3 euro, left turn or right turn just by pushing the button, even the speed is adjusted.
Most parts are cnc parts
If there are questions let me hear.


View attachment 235114View attachment 235115View attachment 235116View attachment 235117View attachment 235118View attachment 235119View attachment 235120View attachment 235121View attachment 235122View attachment 235123View attachment 235124View attachment 235125View attachment 235126View attachment 235127View attachment 235128View attachment 235129View attachment 235130View attachment 235131View attachment 235132View attachment 235133View attachment 235134View attachment 235135View attachment 235136View attachment 235138
View attachment 235139
Hi Stephan,

Now that's how to serve a line in my opinion.

Fantastic work, I like the use of industrial Aluminum extrusion.

Great video on making a mouse as well.

Cheers,
Stephen.
 
@Jimsky asked me to make a tutorial to build this tool with a parts list, where to buy and explanation how too.

So let’s start.

First you need a wooden plate where the tool will build on. Mine is 20x160 x 600 mm. That is a good size to start with. Longer will give problems with stability. The width may be more. 160 to 200 is okay. The thickness is what you have, 2 cm is okay but less or more is okay to. It has to be solid. On the back of the board I mount a wooden batten. Over the length. My batten is 28x44x60. It’s important that it is on an angle of 90 degrees. In the next picture you can see what I try to explain.

001.JPG

Now you have a good base to start with.
There are extra parts you need for your serving tool. You can scratch them or buy them. I did part buy and part scratch. Look what you have and what you can do with it. When you going to buy the parts this is what you need. (mostly parts needed in 3D technology)

002.jpg

1. 2 pieces of 2040 aluminium profile each 200 mm. long
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...;11.71;-1;384@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

2. connectors 2020 4 pieces
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000...%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

3. end cap 2 pieces 2020
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3280...%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

4. T-track nuts for 2020 profile 20 pieces M4
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3285...%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

003.jpg

5. bolts M4 x 5 mm. and M4 x 8 mm. local store or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

6. M4 spacers local or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...-1;1.44;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

7. Linear rail guide SK10 4 pieces
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...-1;3.53;-1;42@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

8. bearings 10PCS 5x10x4mm
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3283...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

004.jpg

9. metal bus set
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3290...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

10. drive pulley 30T W6 B5 6PC
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3282...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

11. drive belt 200 mm width 6 3PC
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3296...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

12. Brass tube OD 5 mm. local store 1 meter long

005.jpg

13. DC motor high torque 12 V. 1PC 1000 speed
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3298...-1;3.06;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

14. Bracket
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000...-1;1.65;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

15. copper tape to make shaft of motor thicker for pully width 5 mm smallest amount.
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

16. Speed controller
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4001...1;2.31;-1;201@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

006.jpg

17. DC adapter 1 a 2 ampere 12 volt
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...=glo2nld&spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.55de2e0eWZY9J2

18. adapter female 1 pc
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dNoyQ24

19. shaft couplers 5x5 mm I have 4PC 5x5 en 2Pc 5x3
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3295...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.3a994c4dukHBXJ

20. sewing spool In the admiral's tool chest or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...-1;1.23;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

2 piece of hardwood like boxwood or similar 10x15x60 mm. and 2 pieces of 10x10x60 mm. Or MDF/polystyrene sheet 2 mm. thick.
1 screw M4x50 and 4 nuts and spacers and some, I think they are called in English, “Phillips Flat Head Wood Screw” different lengths.
Some electrical wire and shrink sleeve.

When you have everything in home we can start building our serving tool.

Take the base we made before. On the ends we mount the 2040 profiles we use here the parts 1 to 6 for. Look at the length of the bolts. Make sure to use the correct length. On part 2, the 2020 connectors, is on the back a little tab. You need to remove the one that is going to the side of your base plate. So that it sits flat against the plate. The tab against the 2040 profile have to stay.
Make sure that the profiles are fit 90 degrees to the base. Use the Phillips flat head screws to fit them to the plate like the picture below

007.jpg

You see in this picture I use spacers between the connector and the 2040 profile. Better is not to use them on that place. I use them because the bolts I had where a little too long J
If this is done, We start to put the bearings into the linear rail guides. Just one bearing in each bottom guide and 2 bearings in each top guide. The other 4 bearing you have you can save. Maybe you need them for your next project.
Then we fit the lowest guide to the 2040 rail on each side. Make sure they are on the same height.
The Brass tube (part 12) need to go through the guides with in between the guides 2 metal bus (part 9) On the outside you fit 2 pulley’s (part 10) on the motor side and 1 on the other side. Use 3 spacers (part 6) between pulley (part 10) and guide (part 7). Cut the brass tube on length. Let 2 centimetre spare tube on the side of 1 pulley. See picture below

008.jpg

Make sure when everything is in place the tube can rotate easy. In the picture you can see I use instead of a brass tube a threaded rod. You can do that too if you want, but you need the brass tube anyway for the next step. If the tube is rotating heavy find the reason in the alignment of the components. When it is working fine make sure all the bolts and screws are fit tight and we go to the next part of the tool. The upper guides.
Cut 2 piece of Brass of 100 mm. And put the parts together like below picture. You need parts number 4(4PC T-track nuts), 5(4PC bolts M4x8), 6(6PC spacers), 7(2PC guide), 8(4PC bearing), 9(3PC metal bus), 10(2PC drive pulley) and 11(2PC belt 200 mm).

009.jpg

The distance between the upper and the lower guide on the rail is depend on the belt. Not to tight and not to lose. On the outside of the tube I made for each side something where I can turn the remaining rope around. I made this of wood and fit them to the tube with an extra metal bus and some 2 component glue.

010.jpg

I use for the electrical part of the machine a motor and power supply of a used printer. Even the metal parts where the motor was screwed on. If you don’t have scratch and want to build with a new ordered motor you can use the one I listed before (part 13 and 14). The shaft of the motor is smaller in diameter than the hole in the pulleys (10). Fill this space up with metal tape like the copper tape (15) in the list of parts. When fit the motor to the back of the rail that the belt (11) is straight between the pulley’s. Maybe you need to change it to take away or ad some spacers. In the picture below you can see how. (part A in the picture is the power supply of the printer).

011.jpg

In the next picture I let you see how the other parts are mounted. You need an soldering iron to solder the electrical wires to the motor. Use shrink sleeve to secure it and protect the motor against short circuit. The electrical part to regulate the speed and direction of the motor can be put in a little plastic box. I used empty screw containers. They are only needed to stay away from the parts with your fingers during operating the tool. You can make a small box of wood, or whatever you have. I used 2 because the containers I use where too small to put all parts in. I think the idea is clear.

012.jpg

Connect the 2 wires of the motor to the green connector next to the black capacitor and the female adapter (part 18) next to it. This adapter is to connect your power supply. If you don’t have this adapter, you can cut the adapter of your power supply and connect the wire direct to the speed control unit. The rest is easy, and can’t go wrong. After this you can try to run the machine and see how it’s turning and if there were some problems. If everything is okay, your done with this part of the machine. And we can go on to make the serving mallet (A serving board or serving mallet can be used to help get the outer twine as tight as possible. Despite the name (arising from its shape) the serving mallet is not used to hit anything; it forms a kind of guide and tensioning lever for applying the twine to the rope. Source wiki)

013.jpg


The one we going to make will be a little different in look but the principal is equal. And it works automatically. In the picture below you can see how I made mine. I made it with parts I had in my box of leftovers but it can made totally out of wood if you want. You also can choose for brass or aluminium. Whatever you like to work with. I will here explain how to use wood. Because most of us are used to work with wood.

014.JPG

I did a little Photoshop on the tool to let you see how you can make it

015.jpg

Use hardwood for it. It need to be firm. I used boxwood for the gliders on top and bottom and a piece of very tropical hardwood (name unknown, but I can tell you it’s hard) I have in my box of leftovers.

I will attached an pdf what you can print to make it out of MDF or polystyrene sheet of 2 mm. Even a template for laser cut.

If you use the pdf, then you must put it together like the example. Make sure the edges are chamfered where it meets the brass tube. Drill a small hole of 1 mm in the middle of the top. If you are making it from separate parts, you will have to make it as a likeness. Above a slot for the rope of 4 mm wide and below a guide for the brass tube. Then mount an M4 bolt with nut on the side of your plates like in the picture before. There is a recess in the mdf or plastic plate for this. You can then mount your sewing machine bobbin on it. You can then make 2 discs from plastic that you cover with felt. By tightening the nuts, you can determine the tensile strength of the rope.

If the serving mallet is humping up and down when you serving the rope. Put in the middle a piece of wood under the brass tube to give it more stability

016.JPG


I hope the story was clear enough to help you to build such a tool by your own. If you have questions please asked.

Soon I will upload a pdf for the mousemaking jig.
 

Attachments

  • Template.pdf
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Last edited:
My serving tool is ready and working precise, fast and is automatic.

See the pictures and movie.

Most parts come from Ali express and the motor and power supply are scratch from an old Canon pixma printer.
On Ali I got a direction unit for 3 euro, left turn or right turn just by pushing the button, even the speed is adjusted.
Most parts are cnc parts
If there are questions let me hear.


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great engineering !
 
@Jimsky asked me to make a tutorial to build this tool with a parts list, where to buy and explanation how too.
WOW!!! This is the most comprehensive and educational step-by-step tutorial we have ever had on SOS! I am sure, many members will benefit from it. Many, many thanks, Stephan!!!
 
Great Stephan! I have always tried to create the tools to do my rigging by myself, even if so far I have not even done a line. I think this is the most comprehensive tutorial I've ever seen. How much did you pay for it?
 
Great Stephan! I have always tried to create the tools to do my rigging by myself, even if so far I have not even done a line. I think this is the most comprehensive tutorial I've ever seen. How much did you pay for it?
Thanks Enzo, I don't know what it total cost me, but when you part scratch it the price will stay below the € 50,=. In the tutorial there is a parts list to order on Aliexpress. When you put everything in you shopping cart you see the price what you have to pay for everything.
 
@Jimsky asked me to make a tutorial to build this tool with a parts list, where to buy and explanation how too.

So let’s start.

First you need a wooden plate where the tool will build on. Mine is 20x160 x 600 mm. That is a good size to start with. Longer will give problems with stability. The width may be more. 160 to 200 is okay. The thickness is what you have, 2 cm is okay but less or more is okay to. It has to be solid. On the back of the board I mount a wooden batten. Over the length. My batten is 28x44x60. It’s important that it is on an angle of 90 degrees. In the next picture you can see what I try to explain.

View attachment 287871

Now you have a good base to start with.
There are extra parts you need for your serving tool. You can scratch them or buy them. I did part buy and part scratch. Look what you have and what you can do with it. When you going to buy the parts this is what you need. (mostly parts needed in 3D technology)

View attachment 287872

1. 2 pieces of 2040 aluminium profile each 200 mm. long
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005002488977182.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.73a4492aDHhR0p&algo_pvid=b065bf38-78bd-4ff9-988c-8b2d6e18196e&aem_p4p_detail=202201260318154216778188303770005751990&algo_exp_id=b065bf38-78bd-4ff9-988c-8b2d6e18196e-19&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000020841508686"}&pdp_pi=-1;11.71;-1;384@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

2. connectors 2020 4 pieces
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000071607141.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2nld&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.12.3fec3637iV1ClT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.266918.0&scm_id=1007.40050.266918.0&scm-url=1007.40050.266918.0&pvid=66b42c6e-9d2c-4daf-97d5-b292a0dd7a96&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.266918.0,pvid:66b42c6e-9d2c-4daf-97d5-b292a0dd7a96,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8107#1934&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000000183574433%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B1.43%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

3. end cap 2 pieces 2020
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32803772494.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2nld&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.18811225OyUjwh&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=61a35f87-6b32-4f40-baf1-3f7ff81dd99a&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:61a35f87-6b32-4f40-baf1-3f7ff81dd99a,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8107#1934&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000015599831878%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B0.72%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

4. T-track nuts for 2020 profile 20 pieces M4
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32859918655.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2nld&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.5.1c6c38662KB3X7&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.266918.0&scm_id=1007.40050.266918.0&scm-url=1007.40050.266918.0&pvid=6bd1cf69-df29-4de5-9f13-fdbbedf2ef59&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.266918.0,pvid:6bd1cf69-df29-4de5-9f13-fdbbedf2ef59,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8107#1934&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000000714525019%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B2.1%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

View attachment 287873

5. bolts M4 x 5 mm. and M4 x 8 mm. local store or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005002187969166.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2nld&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.14.6f3232c6XXYqir&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.266918.0&scm_id=1007.40050.266918.0&scm-url=1007.40050.266918.0&pvid=de278be4-f268-4873-b699-a4ccb12cc0e7&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.266918.0,pvid:de278be4-f268-4873-b699-a4ccb12cc0e7,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8107#1934&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000018998905391%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B0.83%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

6. M4 spacers local or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005002368258089.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.ed774573y251xI&algo_pvid=e217ddb5-a858-45ca-84ba-6363d532cd40&algo_exp_id=e217ddb5-a858-45ca-84ba-6363d532cd40-11&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000020355270325"}&pdp_pi=-1;1.44;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

7. Linear rail guide SK10 4 pieces
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005003744766658.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6aba12b4TSPN6E&algo_pvid=9728f5d9-d4c4-4a5f-b15d-e6542c9a3f54&aem_p4p_detail=202201260352355795869723937200042882556&algo_exp_id=9728f5d9-d4c4-4a5f-b15d-e6542c9a3f54-24&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027016168980"}&pdp_pi=-1;3.53;-1;42@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

8. bearings 10PCS 5x10x4mm
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3283...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

View attachment 287874

9. metal bus set
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3290...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

10. drive pulley 30T W6 B5 6PC
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3282...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

11. drive belt 200 mm width 6 3PC
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3296...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dDTq9cd

12. Brass tube OD 5 mm. local store 1 meter long

View attachment 287875

13. DC motor high torque 12 V. 1PC 1000 speed
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32987942205.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.32e3b3c4AVI9M7&algo_pvid=23244e57-6373-4dec-97fa-f9c5d912138d&algo_exp_id=23244e57-6373-4dec-97fa-f9c5d912138d-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"66839729421"}&pdp_pi=-1;3.06;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

14. Bracket
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000180416805.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3ac93cec8shU6h&algo_pvid=966ef42e-e752-4a41-b3b5-eb17dc00dbcb&algo_exp_id=966ef42e-e752-4a41-b3b5-eb17dc00dbcb-8&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000000656913651"}&pdp_pi=-1;1.65;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

15. copper tape to make shaft of motor thicker for pully width 5 mm smallest amount.
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005002963790156.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2nld&spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.593a36825yWF0d&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=989c3202-721c-4332-b484-d4dabc47eef5&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:989c3202-721c-4332-b484-d4dabc47eef5,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8107#1934&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000026814217692%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B0.81%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BEUR%3Brecommend-recommend

16. Speed controller
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4001361732892.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.32e3b3c4AVI9M7&algo_pvid=23244e57-6373-4dec-97fa-f9c5d912138d&algo_exp_id=23244e57-6373-4dec-97fa-f9c5d912138d-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000015804283562"}&pdp_pi=-1;2.31;-1;201@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

View attachment 287876

17. DC adapter 1 a 2 ampere 12 volt
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...=glo2nld&spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.55de2e0eWZY9J2

18. adapter female 1 pc
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.57a64c4dNoyQ24

19. shaft couplers 5x5 mm I have 4PC 5x5 en 2Pc 5x3
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/3295...=glo2nld&spm=2114.13010708.0.0.3a994c4dukHBXJ

20. sewing spool In the admiral's tool chest or
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005001868850653.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.73955e0b8Rjtfj&algo_pvid=c4b6c50f-533c-4ab6-8176-de7197803b4a&algo_exp_id=c4b6c50f-533c-4ab6-8176-de7197803b4a-20&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000017945649635"}&pdp_pi=-1;1.23;-1;-1@salePrice;EUR;search-mainSearch

2 piece of hardwood like boxwood or similar 10x15x60 mm. and 2 pieces of 10x10x60 mm. Or MDF/polystyrene sheet 2 mm. thick.
1 screw M4x50 and 4 nuts and spacers and some, I think they are called in English, “Phillips Flat Head Wood Screw” different lengths.
Some electrical wire and shrink sleeve.

When you have everything in home we can start building our serving tool.

Take the base we made before. On the ends we mount the 2040 profiles we use here the parts 1 to 6 for. Look at the length of the bolts. Make sure to use the correct length. On part 2, the 2020 connectors, is on the back a little tab. You need to remove the one that is going to the side of your base plate. So that it sits flat against the plate. The tab against the 2040 profile have to stay.
Make sure that the profiles are fit 90 degrees to the base. Use the Phillips flat head screws to fit them to the plate like the picture below

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You see in this picture I use spacers between the connector and the 2040 profile. Better is not to use them on that place. I use them because the bolts I had where a little too long J
If this is done, We start to put the bearings into the linear rail guides. Just one bearing in each bottom guide and 2 bearings in each top guide. The other 4 bearing you have you can save. Maybe you need them for your next project.
Then we fit the lowest guide to the 2040 rail on each side. Make sure they are on the same height.
The Brass tube (part 12) need to go through the guides with in between the guides 2 metal bus (part 9) On the outside you fit 2 pulley’s (part 10) on the motor side and 1 on the other side. Use 3 spacers (part 6) between pulley (part 10) and guide (part 7). Cut the brass tube on length. Let 2 centimetre spare tube on the side of 1 pulley. See picture below

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Make sure when everything is in place the tube can rotate easy. In the picture you can see I use instead of a brass tube a threaded rod. You can do that too if you want, but you need the brass tube anyway for the next step. If the tube is rotating heavy find the reason in the alignment of the components. When it is working fine make sure all the bolts and screws are fit tight and we go to the next part of the tool. The upper guides.
Cut 2 piece of Brass of 100 mm. And put the parts together like below picture. You need parts number 4(4PC T-track nuts), 5(4PC bolts M4x8), 6(6PC spacers), 7(2PC guide), 8(4PC bearing), 9(3PC metal bus), 10(2PC drive pulley) and 11(2PC belt 200 mm).

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The distance between the upper and the lower guide on the rail is depend on the belt. Not to tight and not to lose. On the outside of the tube I made for each side something where I can turn the remaining rope around. I made this of wood and fit them to the tube with an extra metal bus and some 2 component glue.

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I use for the electrical part of the machine a motor and power supply of a used printer. Even the metal parts where the motor was screwed on. If you don’t have scratch and want to build with a new ordered motor you can use the one I listed before (part 13 and 14). The shaft of the motor is smaller in diameter than the hole in the pulleys (10). Fill this space up with metal tape like the copper tape (15) in the list of parts. When fit the motor to the back of the rail that the belt (11) is straight between the pulley’s. Maybe you need to change it to take away or ad some spacers. In the picture below you can see how. (part A in the picture is the power supply of the printer).

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In the next picture I let you see how the other parts are mounted. You need an soldering iron to solder the electrical wires to the motor. Use shrink sleeve to secure it and protect the motor against short circuit. The electrical part to regulate the speed and direction of the motor can be put in a little plastic box. I used empty screw containers. They are only needed to stay away from the parts with your fingers during operating the tool. You can make a small box of wood, or whatever you have. I used 2 because the containers I use where too small to put all parts in. I think the idea is clear.

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Connect the 2 wires of the motor to the green connector next to the black capacitor and the female adapter (part 18) next to it. This adapter is to connect your power supply. If you don’t have this adapter, you can cut the adapter of your power supply and connect the wire direct to the speed control unit. The rest is easy, and can’t go wrong. After this you can try to run the machine and see how it’s turning and if there were some problems. If everything is okay, your done with this part of the machine. And we can go on to make the serving mallet (A serving board or serving mallet can be used to help get the outer twine as tight as possible. Despite the name (arising from its shape) the serving mallet is not used to hit anything; it forms a kind of guide and tensioning lever for applying the twine to the rope. Source wiki)

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The one we going to make will be a little different in look but the principal is equal. And it works automatically. In the picture below you can see how I made mine. I made it with parts I had in my box of leftovers but it can made totally out of wood if you want. You also can choose for brass or aluminium. Whatever you like to work with. I will here explain how to use wood. Because most of us are used to work with wood.

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I did a little Photoshop on the tool to let you see how you can make it

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Use hardwood for it. It need to be firm. I used boxwood for the gliders on top and bottom and a piece of very tropical hardwood (name unknown, but I can tell you it’s hard) I have in my box of leftovers.

I will attached an pdf what you can print to make it out of MDF or polystyrene sheet of 2 mm. Even a template for laser cut.

If you use the pdf, then you must put it together like the example. Make sure the edges are chamfered where it meets the brass tube. Drill a small hole of 1 mm in the middle of the top. If you are making it from separate parts, you will have to make it as a likeness. Above a slot for the rope of 4 mm wide and below a guide for the brass tube. Then mount an M4 bolt with nut on the side of your plates like in the picture before. There is a recess in the mdf or plastic plate for this. You can then mount your sewing machine bobbin on it. You can then make 2 discs from plastic that you cover with felt. By tightening the nuts, you can determine the tensile strength of the rope.

If the serving mallet is humping up and down when you serving the rope. Put in the middle a piece of wood under the brass tube to give it more stability

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I hope the story was clear enough to help you to build such a tool by your own. If you have questions please asked.

Soon I will upload a pdf for the mousemaking jig.
Great instructions Stephan.

Cheers,
Stephen.
 
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