2017 Grow your own thread

[GroErr]

That pollen extractor looks like a modified encased rock tumbler, not shocking that it does not work overly well to be honest. I can do some digging on the mechanical shaker, used would be best to find as anything labeled "lab equipment" as you likely know carries a steep inflation on top of the actual cost to produce. For what it is it seems insane that a unit like this https://www.coleparmer.ca/p/cole-parmer-sieve-shaker/49954 costs that much, there is no way that it costs anywhere remotely close to that to produce it.

Funny thing with those tumbler-style units is that one looks exactly like some that are priced at $500 and likely sucks as bad - lol

Yeah you're right there, as soon as "lab grade" is anywhere in the description the price tends to triple or more. Good idea though on a used one, will start having a look around on that angle or what it would take to build a simpler version. I'm thinking a couple of plug-in dildo's rigged to vibrate the sieve might do the trick - lol

 

[Jay p123]

A siide branch lol.

 

[dienowk]

Funny thing with those tumbler-style units is that one looks exactly like some that are priced at $500 and likely sucks as bad - lol

Yeah you're right there, as soon as "lab grade" is anywhere in the description the price tends to triple or more. Good idea though on a used one, will start having a look around on that angle or what it would take to build a simpler version. I'm thinking a couple of plug-in dildo's rigged to vibrate the sieve might do the trick - lol

Hitachi wand motors are the strongest you will find of that type, also have the most rumble of any of them out there (which is what you would be looking for more so than a typical vibrators buzz type vibration).

A siide branch lol. View attachment 4038894

I am pretty sure that is bigger than my plants.

 

[GroErr]

Hitachi wand motors are the strongest you will find of that type, also have the most rumble of any of them out there (which is what you would be looking for more so than a typical vibrators buzz type vibration).


I am pretty sure that is bigger than my plants.

Yeah those are exactly what I was thinking, ordered one off Ali to try it and figure out if it's even practical to rig it. If it works I'll grab a higher quality one like the magic wand brand.

 

[dienowk]

This vid may give an idea of how you could diy a shaker, you would require a second round part that clamps down on top of the sieves to hold them together but this is pretty much how the old styles of them that I have seen all worked (new ones are whisper quiet)

 

[Jay p123]

Hitachi wand motors are the strongest you will find of that type, also have the most rumble of any of them out there (which is what you would be looking for more so than a typical vibrators buzz type vibration).


I am pretty sure that is bigger than my plants.

Lol

 

[WHATFG]

Yeah they're standard lab sieves, had thought of them about a year ago but when I looked around they were quite expensive here or even online through US manufacturers. But for around $60 CAD for a set with tray they're well worth it and difficult to make anything like that for less. They seem well built, time will tell but looks good. I had tried one of the Pollen Extractor units and tried a bunch of different methods to increase yields (ball bearings, dimes in the container etc.) in the last year, it works but the yields are dismal compared to using a screen and carding, like 1/3rd the yield with the same size screen and material.

Any ideas on where to find or make one of those mechanical shakers? That's my next project. That would be awesome, fill, flip the switch, walk away...

A paint can shaker.

 

[dienowk]

A paint can shaker.

Although it would work the intensity of a paint can shaker may be too much and result in plant matter broken down small enough to get through the mesh, I am not 100% sure though so it may be worth trying if one can be accessed cheaply enough.

 

[GroErr]

Although it would work the intensity of a paint can shaker may be too much and result in plant matter broken down small enough to get through the mesh, I am not 100% sure though so it may be worth trying if one can be accessed cheaply enough.

Yeah you're right, too much, I've seen those while mixing paint and the material would be flying out of the sieve. Not a lot of movement is needed, just good vibration. I have a simple concept design (sketch below), going to see if I can get something together enough to test it by end of the weekend. Trying to keep it as affordable as possible so anyone could build one for <$100.

Materials:
12.5" to 13" thick plastic bowl (dollar store should have this)
some spare 2x2 or 2x4" for a frame to hold the bowl & suspend it above the
magic wand
1.75" or 1.875" hole saw (have one which I'm sure is 1.75" I used for my DIY cloner)

Here's the concept sketch. May need a couple of clamps to clamp the bowl to the frame while in operation.

 

[redi jedi]

Yeah you're right, too much, I've seen those while mixing paint and the material would be flying out of the sieve. Not a lot of movement is needed, just good vibration. I have a simple concept design (sketch below), going to see if I can get something together enough to test it by end of the weekend. Trying to keep it as affordable as possible so anyone could build one for <$100.

Materials:
12.5" to 13" thick plastic bowl (dollar store should have this)
some spare 2x2 or 2x4" for a frame to hold the bowl & suspend it above the
magic wand
1.75" or 1.875" hole saw (have one which I'm sure is 1.75" I used for my DIY cloner)

Here's the concept sketch. May need a couple of clamps to clamp the bowl to the frame while in operation.

View attachment 4039422

Got any old playstation/xbox controllers kicking around? They have small motors with an eccentric weight on them for vibration.

Even a pager or anything that vibrates would have something similar.

 

[GroErr]

Got any old playstation/xbox controllers kicking around? They have small motors with an eccentric weight on them for vibration.

Lol, no but good idea, whenever I upgrade any old stuff or spares go to my grandkids now

I had already grabbed one of those "magic wand" imitators off Ali Express for like $15 to try it (even though I had no idea how I was going to rig it at the time!), got delivered yesterday, GF was like wtf? lmao

 

[dienowk]

You would need a way to provide pressure from the top while it is running (assuming you were not just going to use your hands) or it will not transfer the vibration properly. Not sure about the knock offs but the legit wands have 20 min timer built in so you can turn it on and do other shit for awhile without worrying about it running too long.

 

[redi jedi]

Lol, no but good idea, whenever I upgrade any old stuff or spares go to my grandkids now

I had already grabbed one of those "magic wand" imitators off Ali Express for like $15 to try it (even though I had no idea how I was going to rig it at the time!), got delivered yesterday, GF was like wtf? lmao

Lol...Im guessing a magic wand is a battery operated boyfriend? Anyways that will work, just duct tape it to the bottom of the bowl for now...or drill a couple holes in the bowl and zip tie it. Fill the holes with caulk.

 

[dienowk]

Lol...Im guessing a magic wand is a battery operated boyfriend? Anyways that will work, just duct tape it to the bottom of the bowl for now...or drill a couple holes in the bowl and zip tie it. Fill the holes with caulk.

Most are corded, far more powerful than most battery ones (the Hitachi/Vibratex one is as good cordless as it is corded, and also has the strongest motor).

 

[redi jedi]

Most are corded, far more powerful than most battery ones (the Hitachi/Vibratex one is as good cordless as it is corded, and also has the strongest motor).

Your well versed on these things...maybe you should get out more?..lmao just kidding

 

[GroErr]

You would need a way to provide pressure from the top while it is running (assuming you were not just going to use your hands) or it will not transfer the vibration properly. Not sure about the knock offs but the legit wands have 20 min timer built in so you can turn it on and do other shit for awhile without worrying about it running too long.

Yeah that's one area I was wondering about, was going to figure that piece out once I got something built to hold it. The trays are fairly heavy so I'm thinking they'll be a tight fit where the rim of the tray meets the bowl, then vibrate the bowl, but not sure if that will shake it enough to drop the sift. Some quarters on the screen itself or even a light plastic plate sitting on top of the trim material? This knock off doesn't seem to have any time-out but no biggie there, if I can get it to work hands-off and I have to turn it on every 20 minutes I'm good.

 

[GroErr]

Lol...Im guessing a magic wand is a battery operated boyfriend? Anyways that will work, just duct tape it to the bottom of the bowl for now...or drill a couple holes in the bowl and zip tie it. Fill the holes with caulk.

Yeah those are plug-in boyfriends - lol I'm going to drill a hole in the bottom of the plastic bowl and force fit the head of the vibrator to the bottom of the bowl. Basically the idea is to sit the sift trays inside the bowl and vibrate the bowl itself which should in turn vibrate the sift trays. The bowl also acts as a holder for the trays so it can be done hands-off.

Even if it doesn't work it's not a costly project to try and worst case GF has a new plug-in boyfriend

 

[redi jedi]

Yeah those are plug-in boyfriends - lol I'm going to drill a hole in the bottom of the plastic bowl and force fit the head of the vibrator to the bottom of the bowl. Basically the idea is to sit the sift trays inside the bowl and vibrate the bowl itself which should in turn vibrate the sift trays. The bowl also acts as a holder for the trays so it can be done hands-off.

Even if it doesn't work it's not a costly project to try and worst case GF has a new plug-in boyfriend

I would use a metal bowl instead...plastic tends to absorb vibrations depending on how hard it is...I mean dense..bahaha..sorry minds in the gutter.

 

[dienowk]

Your well versed on these things...maybe you should get out more?..lmao just kidding

lol, when I get into things I become borderline obsessed and find out as much info as I can about them. The thing about the Hitachi is that it was originally not made for that purpose, it is an absolutely amazing massager as long as you have someone willing to spend 10-20 min massaging your back for you.

Even if it doesn't work it's not a costly project to try and worst case GF has a new plug-in boyfriend

Either she will be very very thankful or be terrified of it, those seem to be the most common reactions lol.

 

[Jay p123]

Few more pics!.. last couple of pics are the my dog actually helping make a pile.
She picked up the 8 ft branch and put in pile lol