Rolling Mill Gear Reducers

I just ordered a 100 mm flat rolling mill (Grobert). I bought it
without the 4:1 gear reducer. The reducer is an add on, so I can
buy it and bolt it on at any time. The dealer I bought the mill
from told me that he almost never sells a gear reducer with a mill.
The purpose of the gear reducer is to make it easier (takes less
energy) to use the mill.

So my question is, can anyone comment on the pros and cons of a
4:1 gear reducer.

Thanks

Milt

So my question is, can anyone comment on the pros and cons of a
4:1 gear reducer.

Just use it alot and you will go out and buy a reduction gear or
you will develop an asymetric body build form all the effort to
roll the sheet. I do a lot of rolling so I bought a power mill
but before that I had two other mills one with reduction gear and
one without. You realy want a reduction gear on your mill if you
are going to use it.

Jim

@jbin
James Binnion Metal Arts
2916 Chapman St
Oakland, CA 94601
510-436-3552

  So my question is, can anyone comment on the pros and cons of
a 4:1 gear reducer.

By experience, I say if you use a lot of sheet and will be using
the mill, the gear setup is the way to go if you can’t have a
power mill. I suspect that your salesman would find that most
buyers opt for the lower priced mill without the gears because of
cash concerns.(a lot to buy to get started.) You could also
convert the mill to power yourself later, which is what most I
know do. This being the case, you won’t need the 4:1 gears, but
others. I personally, having used a lot of varieties, hate to use
a hand mill without gears, but you do what you gotta do, right?
Regards- Rick

Well, as a female, I have one that has no gear reduction and have
never had a problem. At the school where I teach, we have gear
reduction and although easier, you have to turn the handle alot
more. So I think its a toss up.

Hi Milt,

I am one who firmly believes in doing things as easily as
possible, without wearing myself out in the process. I have an AP
rolling mill with a 4:1 reduction gear, and I would never go back
to a rolling mill without one. They make rolling sheet a LOT
easier. That’s it’s purpose. To make it easier on us to roll
metal.

Barry
Hansen Designs
Corona, California