Has anyone any experience or recomendation for the Karat or
Contenti rolliing mills. The price is right, I am just wondering
about the quality and functionality.
Has anyone any experience or recomendation for the Karat or
Contenti rolliing mills. The price is right, I am just wondering
about the quality and functionality.
I have a Karat and it serves my purpose well. I roll sheet and
wire, rollerprint, impress. I would say my use is occasional,
with light to medium duty, and I’ve not had any problems. No
instructions are included with their “easy change rollers”, and
after disassembling it for 15 min., I put it back together and
decided to wait another day for frustration. If you plan on using
a rolling mill extensively, say mokume or rolling ingots on a
regular basis, I would go with a more heavy-duty type, but the
Karat is a good investment for a starter mill.
Hi Brian,
Has anyone any experience or recomendation for the Karat or Contenti rolliing mills. The price is right, I am just wondering about the quality and functionality.
I purchased a Karat mill about 2 years ago. The single set of
rolls that came with it have 2 grooves for 1/2 round wire & 12
grooves for square wire. The center section can roll a piece of
flat stock 25 mm. (1") wide. It has 4 to 1 reduction gearing. The
rolls will open 5 mm before the drive gear on the second roll
becomes unmeshed with the drive gear.
One disadvantage I’ve noticed is that 1 side of the mill is
obstructed to a degree by a support for 1 of the reduction gears.
This makes it impossible for wire going through the 1/2 round &
the 2 largest square grooves to leave/enter (depending on which
way the rolls are turning) the mill in a straight line.
This is mostly an inconvenience & has never caused me a problem
in using the wire that has been rolled on this side.
There are some newer models available that come with extra
rolls. I believe 1 roll is a pattern roll & 1 is a smooth roll.
Depending on the type of work you do this amy be an advantage.
Remember though, patterns can be created by placing just about
anything next to the metal you want to pattern & rolling the
sandwich through the mill.
The quality of the mill isn’t up to the Cavalin(sp?), but then
neither is the price.
Dave
Hi Brian, I don’t know the brands you mentioned but having bought
a low cost (200 UKP) combination mill a few month sago I would
strongly suggest getting a model with reduction gearing. Mine
hasn’t and it is really hard work - and I am not small !
Andy Parker, Agate House Lapidary
Ulverston, Cumbria, England