All A-buzz
Many times in the studio I need to shake something, just a teeny bit.
For example, when casting plaster or plaster like materials, such as ceramic media for lost-wax casting investment, it is sometimes necessary to tap on the mold container to dislodge air bubbles that all too often get lodged against the surface. If they remain there the casting will be diminished, even ruined. Many years ago I looked into getting a vibration table for buzzing the molds while the medium was still liquid, loosening the bubbles to rise to the surface. After pricing the available devices I decided to go another route.
What could I use to cut the cost of a vibrating table down to near-zero?
Hearkening back 55 years to my times with Stan the Barber I recalled two things — Stan always had the latest comic books for the boys to read, a real treat for me because we were too poor to get them, and the tickle of the vibrating electric clippers on my neck when he was trimming up. Could electric hair clippers be part of the answer?
The next time I ran across some clippers at the thrift store I decided to roll the dice with a buck-and-a-half for the clipper. I combined the tool with some scraps of wood, two pieces of plumbing strap and a few screws.
Viola’. A vibrating table for a couple bucks and a couple minutes.
Love the idea – and if it works, it works! What about a dremel with an old conical grinder bit as an agitator as well? Thinking of something like the agitators they use for poured foundations. Maybe that’s not necessary, or is a belt and suspenders approach but just thought I’d throw it out there. Anyway, you are a wealth of knowledge and creative solutions – thank you for sharing!
Oops. Now I see that it is upside down on the first picture and that in use t will sit on some kind of rubber. So there is an elastic suspension.
Sylvain
It seems your device is just posed on the bench.
Two possible improvement:
– An elastic suspension;
– Adding some mass to the movable cutter.
Otherwise any rotating motor with an unbalanced attachment will do.
Of course an unbalanced load might ruin the bearings more rapidly.
There are many ways to make a vibrating system.
– Using an electromagnetic system similar to a loudspeaker;
– transforming a rotational movement with crank and connecting rod;
– pneumatic or hydraulic system;
– piezoelectric system (ultrasonic jewel cleaner);
– …
The beauty of your solution is that it uses the intrinsic properties of the clipper which, if of a professional quality, should last long.
Sylvain
I don’t know, Don. I have a lot of years of experience with vibrating plaster and other dental stones for use with the lost wax technique. I am skeptical that the clipper provides enough energy to properly vibrate the mediums used, especially in the volumes used. Seems to do great with water. But I am certain that it would be too weak for modest amounts of plasters. Might I suggest looking into a dental supply catalog and seeing what kinds they have there, then going to eBay and checking out what they might have there.
Well, all I can say is that it works for me and my applications. Your suggestion to look on ebay is a good one I will pursue. I wonder of the medium for dental work is the same viscosity as that for sculptural work. I know when I am casting plaster positives it is about the consistency of light cream, and the investment medium is only slightly less viscous. I use Ransome&Randolph UlraVest.
Glad to see R&R is still in business. They always had high quality products. I suspect that the dental materials were thicker than what you are working with, so more prone to air incorporation. Some of our vibrators were heavy duty. Ideally, they should be mixed with a mechanical mixer. The investment material, in particular, required a vacuum mix, but not the stones. I still have my small paddle-in-a-rubber bowl mixer and use it if I am mixing a small amount of plaster. It does a much better job than I can do with manual spatulation. Anyway, it was just a thought.