How To Make A Wind Generator From Scrap

22 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by used2bee in Advice, How To, Projects

Tags

bike, bike frame, cycle, Devon, devon england, diy generator, homemade, plastic blades, plastic bottles, recycled, treadmill motor, upcycle, used motor, used to bee, Used2bee, wind generator, wind power, wind turbine

Colourful Homemade Wind Turbine

Using a few simple tools, you can set up a homemade wind generator. This device will help in reducing your dependence on other energy sources. This in turn means more savings down the line.

Required Tools and Materials

Treadmill motor
Hose clamp
Hacksaw
6 bottles (2 liter)
1 inch pipe
Scissors
Zip ties
Metal bicycle frame
Welding tools
Instructions

One of The Things You’ll Need

Mount The Motor

Use the welding tools to modify the motor so it is centered on the bicycle pedal’s axle. Before you do this, remove the pedal. Use scaffolding if necessary. Put the motor housing in place by welding a pipe. Make sure the welded material connects the frame section up to the motor housing.
To ensure this homemade wind generator works, double check the motor housing. Make certain the motor is fastened. If it isn’t, the housing will spin along with the axle.

Recycle a motor from a scrap treadmill

Create the Blades

Get the bottles and secure plastic with the zip ties. Set the spokes so the wheel will spin when the wind blows. Make a cut on the bottle (2 inches) in a spiral manner. Punch a hole and set the zip ties here. Put in another zip tie if there are spaces left.
Make sure about 30% of the wheel is covered with the blades.
Slice the blades so they don’t hit anything when they start spinning. With this homemade wind generator, you can take away the rest of the bike’s components; they are not necessary and will only take up space.

Make Plastic Turbine Blades

Mounting the Generator

Position the generator high up. Use the scaffolding or ladder if necessary. A pole is the best option. Now set the wires to the power location. You can use batteries. However they can present problems. Number one, they can overcharge. Secondly, it might run the motor and not get a charge.
If you’re going to use batteries, install a heat sinker so it won’t overcharge. If you’re not sure how to set this up on your homemade wind generator, talk to an electrician. Don’t try installing the batteries if you are unsure.

Tips and Warnings

These treadmill motors can be found in a variety of places. Your best bets are the apartments near colleges. These are usually just placed by the dumpster. You can get one there. The Web is also a good place to look for treadmill motors near you.
Be careful when using welding tools and equipment. Follow all the instructions. If you’re not sure how, have a welder shape the pipes for you. Do not stand near the blades when they’re running.
If you are having trouble mounting the generator, have some of your friends help you. This will prove especially useful if you’re going to use the scaffolding.
If the blades move too fast, they might fly off. Double check to make sure they’re installed properly. Wrongly installed blades won’t just fly off; they might shatter and explode.

These homemade wind generators require more work than most DIY projects. However the payoff can be substantial, so it’s worth giving it a try!

FURTHER READING

Buy A Book! – Dan Martin “How to build a wind turbine” http://diysufficient.com/product/diyguides/diy-build-a-wind-turbine/

eHow http://www.ehow.com/how_4796396_build-homemade-wind-generator.html

Project – Plastic Bottle Greenhouse

07 Wednesday May 2014

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bottles, greenhouse, installation, Paignton zoo, plastic, recycle, recycled, spoon handles, Used2bee

172 plastic water bottles went into making this Greenhouse

I originally had this idea last November when I was Inspired by an installation at Paignton Zoo. The local school had built a greenhouse there entirely from re-using recycled plastic drinks bottles to show an effective use of one of our most wasteful single use products.
Since November our lovely customers have been bringing their bottles in for us and had collected enough to get started; in fact 172 plastic water bottles went into making this Greenhouse.

Paignton Zoo Installation was my inspiration

cutting, measuring, sawing, drilling and screwing!

You have to start by laying out your tools and materials: 2×1 treated timber frame, enough water bottles for the job(see below), screws, and bamboo canes. You will also need 3×3 treated corner posts to support the frames but i already had these in place.
I hope your good at cutting, measuring, sawing, drilling and screwing! The bottles slide onto each cane by drilling a hole in the bottle base, then assembling the canes into each cut frame to make the sides and roof of your greenhouse, and then screwed to the posts.
You will need to estimate about 3 bottles per square foot for your panels, plus an additional row on top to cap off. The bottles are aprx 10cm wide so your greenhouse size should be a multiple of that plus the timber width. Each panel is made up of 2×1 timber 20mm thick so add 40mm to your total bottle width when cutting your timber ie: 1600mm +40mm = 1640mm.

Allow 10cm bottle cane width + 40mm for timber frame

Decide on your greenhouse size

The height usually is up to 1830mm for convenience as this is a standard 6′ length from most DIY stores. The bottle length are then cut to size to fit.
So decide on your greenhouse size: length, width and height to get your upright panel sizes.
Allow a space for the doorway, and decide on your roof style. Paignton Zoo featured a pitch roof made up of 2 panels and 2 triangular shaped ends; but my design was only a ‘lean to’ against my fence panel. This made mine alot easier to do!

‘Lean To’ style roof panel is alot easier

drill a hole in the bottom

Once you have assembled your frames for the panels, remove caps/labels and clean bottles, then you can begin to cut the bottles and slide them onto the canes. You will need to remove the necks from two and drill a hole in the bottom, for each cane as the top and bottom caps.

remove the tops from 2 bottles for each cane
Then remove the bottoms of as many bottles required to fill the length of cane, and slide the neck over the cane to fit snug into each other.

with bottoms removed the bottles fit snug into each other

quick and easy to finish

Once all your bottles are on the canes and cut to fit into the frame, drill a hole big enough (about 10mm) for the canes into each frame, top and bottom 100mm apart starting 50mm from one side. This will make the job quick and easy to finish, but you may have to loosen the frame a little to get each one in.

Drill holes in frame to allow canes to fit

Dont forget to recycle your waste

This just leaves fitting it all together! My design was for two big barn doors at the front with fixed sides and lean to roof. So i completed the door frame, fixed the roof section to it and the fence posts, then mounted the doors on recycled hinges, using recycled spoons as handles!
Dont forget to recycle your waste! Most council sites now recycle hard plastics and bottles.

Recycled spoons as handles!

Further Reading

Paignton Zoo Green Projects. http://www.eaza.net/activities/sustainability/Documents/Paignton.pdf
Inspiration Green- Homes made from plastic bottles. http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-bottle-homes.html
Recycling Guide- plastic bottle facts. http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/facts.html
Used2bee – This is our shop website! Recycled Organic and Fairtrade products. Great for gifts furniture and clothing. http://www.used2bee.com

PROJECT -1950s GPlan Coffee Table

24 Monday Mar 2014

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1950s, astronaut, atomic age, buckinghamshire, devon uk, furniture, g-plan, Gplan, high wycombe, mid century modern, recycled furniture, space race, table, upcycled, Used2bee

Working on this table I look back over the 20 years I had been director of a Waste Management company. Not a job I had picked when I left school, but who really knows what occupation is going to pay the bills when leaving school?

i was going to be an Astronaut

At school I demanded I was going to be an Astronaut, but when that wasnt achievable, an electrician, then fate had steered me in another direction and i became an Entreprenuer!
Having your own business has its own rewards, upsets and responsibilities: but the goals, achievements and direction are your own. It was being in the waste business so long that gave me ideas for making use of our mountains of unwanted things. Now i set upon restoring and upcycling furniture in my own unique way.

E Gomme Ltd, famously known as G-Plan

This English made Coffee Table came to me via a second hand furniture shop in Paignton Devon. It was originally made in the 1950s by E Gomme Ltd, famously known as G-Plan, who at the time made very high quality Danish style furniture from their Birch premises at High Wycombe in the glorious royal county of Buckinghamshire.

high-quality arts and craft furniture

This group of buildings was originally owned by Wm Birch Limited, manufacturers of high-quality arts and craft furniture. The three-storey factory was newly built in 1901 with a later four-storey range built fronting at Leigh Street in 1913 by Architect Thomas Thurlow. Time marches on and so production finished sometime in the 1990s: the site now has been developed for offices and mixed commercial use.

With this heritage in mind I want to reveal the quality of the fine workmanship found in the jointing and the use of different timbers to great effect in the top.

You realise the quality of materials

I have stripped off the layer of varnish to show the natural bare wood(pic), which i have now polished with beeswax.
The base is jointed with mortice and tenons, and originally painted with a black gloss that I have brought up to date with several coats of Blue Teal, sanded and polished.

You realise the quality of materials used when you see the solid brass adjustable feet and leg caps, which i have polished with brass cleaner.

reflecting Mid Century ideals

I love this piece and I am really impressed with the level of quality in its original manufacture. Growing up in the 80s this style of furniture went out of fashion in the UK, to be replaced by Scandinavian Pine. Fashions change and the classic simplicity of this style is back! reflecting Mid Century ideals of technology, the Atomic Age and the Space Race.

This item can be bought at http://www.used2bee.com/Gplan_Mid_Century_Table_Torquay_p/fh1st-gp.htm
Or from our ETSY page at https://www.etsy.com/listing/183810746/g-plan-british-1950s-upcycled-coffee

Project: Sandra’s Table Turns Gypsy

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by used2bee in Projects

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Tags

70s teak table, caravan, danish furniture, dining table, drop leaf, g-plan, gypsy, gypsy artwork, handpainted, nick dow, romany, rose pattern, Used2bee

G-Plan turned Gypsy

Sandra used to be a Carer, loves chocolate pudding, and regularly visits our shop.
She lives around the corner from the shop, beside the church and above the barbers shop, where she has a cosy snug cabin at the end of their garden. In this cabin, they both enjoy their time in the quiet reading the paper, watching the wildlife, and relaxing. Lovely!
The snug cabin is kitted out quite comfortably with the basic requirements: chair, cupboards, light and table. Over christmas, they decided to change the table.
After the christmas holidays had ended, Jo was working on the sale tickets in the shop when in she come and said ” can you recycle and old table?” : Jo agreed to send me round to have a look.
I found a 1970s Danish style G-Plan Drop-Leaf table sat centre stage in the cabin, waiting to be collected. Sandra knew i am a sucker for a new project, and that we needed one for a new dining shop display, so i obliged and said yes and her dad gave me a hand to carry it to the van.

This is why they were so popular for over 30 years!

It was in good clean condition, which is quite unusual for most of my recycling projects!
The table could seat six at a push, and didnt come with any chairs, so i may have to find those. Its original teak veneer is polished to a semi gloss finish and exposes the light golden grain. The two tapered ends drop neatly down when the supports are folded inwards and under, revealing a neat quarter moulded edge. The whole finish to the frame is smooth and rounded danish style, not a harsh corner in sight. This table amazingly folds down to virtually no space at all, this is why they were so popular for over 30 years!

the hardest part was deciding on the design!

The hardest part of this project for me was not the actual work, although the detail of the artwork was quite a challenge: the hardest part was deciding on the design!
I had found my inspiration when i researched the internet, trendy furniture shops, Kirsty Allsop Homemade Home show (@KirstieMAllsopp), and George Clarkes Amazing Spaces https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeClarkesAmazingSpaces. The best way to attack this was to make a plan of the design and practice some of the techniques.

I had already collected scraps of wallpaper and cuttings of floral designs i had found, so i could use these as decoupage within the design. I would make a large square of rose patterned paper the dominant block in the centre of the table and embellish with additional artwork around it.
Giving the table a good all over rough sanding to remove dirt and varnish, i then added a sound coat of chalk emulsion that was rubbed down to a smooth finish using fine sandpaper. This gives a good base to apply the paper design and paint on the final decoration.

you only grow when you seek to improve yourself

I could imagine the incredible flowing artwork used on traditional Gypsy caravans as the final decoration on my table, but these techniques take years to master, i would have to apply them in weeks. I had found much useful resource on YouTube, particularly with Nick Dows work. He famously restored a Romany Caravan for Ronnie Wood and you can watch him talking on the subject of gypsy art, life and his blues band http://youtu.be/9O8LyVnz9ls
My efforts are simple by comparison but you only grow when you seek to improve yourself.

Further reference on the subject of traditional gypsy caravans, their restoration, art, furniture and lifestyle can be found at http://www.gypsy-wagons.com. This site represents the Ingham and Fallon families, who are the oldest Irish families still living the traditional lifestyle in the UK.

PROJECT: Recycled Cat Bed

03 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by used2bee in Projects

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Tags

bed, blanket, cat, dog, jumper, recycled, sweater, sweatshirt, Used2bee

for anyone with a couple of hours, likes sewing, and who has a cat

We love feedback from our followers, and we received this one recently. I thought it was quite an easy one for anyone with a couple of hours, likes sewing, and who has a cat. The credit goes to Steven Bishop for discovering it on elizabethskitchendiary.co.uk, which is a really intelligent site for craft ideas and for healthy homemade food.
Elizabeth is a mum, secret wannabe adventurer, scientist-in-training, RNLI volunteer, crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain’s most northerly food blogger. She also loves cats, and has four of her own from the rescue centre which is what inspired her to this comfy cat creation.

Does your pet need a new bed? Recycle your old sweaters

Homemade pet bed for your dog or cat. Minimal sewing ability required. This is the recipe

Time: 2 hours, including cutting up scraps for stuffing

Materials:
-1 unwanted sweater
-2 terry towels or unused dishtowels or bath towels
-Scraps or cotton for stuffing
-Thread
-Wool
-Needles
-Scissors

Cut your stuffing fabric into small pieces. Fold towels so that they are nearly the size you want the base of your pet bed. Layer with scrap stuffing if required. Baste the layers together in a rough oval shape.

Turn over the edges toward the inside of the circle and loosely sew in place. Place inside the body of the jumper.
Sew in place using some thick wool. Stuff the arms and neck area with scraps or cotton.

Arrange in a circular shape around the base area. Using a thread and needle, sew into place. If you use a matching thread you don’t have to worry about how perfect your stitches are. Embellish as desired!

Source: http://www.facebook.com/l/jAQE9YmY3AQFufKLgn3cDE1ch2-etGn8KbA2YPfOxpeBlzg/bit.ly/1cWKd8y

New Recycled Shop Sign

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

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recycled shop sign, recycled wood, recycling projects, torbay devon, torquay shop, Used2bee, wood carved letters, wooden sign

LETTERS DONE! Another Step Closer

Using templates made this easier, but it was still difficult work due to the font style ‘Papyrus’ being so complicated (see logo pic at header). There are 8 character letters which were cut and prepared using firstly a course sandpaper then a fine paper after they were painted.

We have continued with the main colour for the business of Lime Green and used a vintage chalk paint smoothed to a perfect finish to make it as waterproof as possible. I tested this briefly under the tap and it runs off nicely 😀. Though just to make sure, a final coat of sealer was sprayed onto each letter to make sure.

Next stage is to cut up some pallets i have collected to make the boarding to mount the letters onto.

Hannah’s Chistmas Gift Fayre

17 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by used2bee in Events, Recycled Art

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christmas fayre, devon fayres, eco gifts, hannahs charity, newton abbot, recycled gifts, seale hayne college, Used2bee

A Wonderful Day, An Inspiring Place, And Beautiful Gifts

Set in 90 acres of lush Devon countryside, Seale-Hayne College is on the outskirts of Newton Abbot where Hannahs provides learning, care, support and real choice to children and adults with a range of disabilities.
Hannahs vision is to live in a society where people with disabilities experience the same opportunities to work, train, learn and live. To fulfil their true potential without judgement or limit: a society where disability is incidental.

The 2 day event captured the spirit of the organisation perfectly, with several stalls proudly manned by their students showcasing their impressive products. Opposite us were students of the Horticultural College Green Woodwork course selling garden related products. These included Log trays, Planters, Birdfeeders, Shelves and Boxes of original design and superb handmade quality.

The event opened from 10am and visitors were welcomed at the entrance by a 20ft recycled metal sculptured Cola Can Christmas Tree- amazing! Through the granite archway into the main square revealed the Main Staging area for live music, Artworks, Bistro Bar and refreshment stalls serving mulled wine, fresh coffee and mince pies.

Each of the buildings off the main square and beyond was host to the 90 stall holders in 20 rooms located around the grounds and a map was provided. This provided an exciting journey around the college and on the way discovering project rooms, Santas grotto, and childrens choir singing christmas carols!

We were located to the north west of the main square in The Chapel, which provided a snug place to find 12 stallholders selling their precious creations. We were showing Upcycled Furniture, Vinyl Record Clocks and various unique Eco gifts. Whilst our neighbours offered jewellery, recycled christmas decorations, beautiful childrens inspired art, amazing mozaics, garden craft products, wood carving, lavender bags and autumn inspired pottery. The great hall held the most sellers, and popular items across the site included Bags, Clothing, Blankets, Sculptures, Recycled Lamps, Housewares, personalised Plaques, Wood Craft Bowls, felt Jackets, and Glassware .

The event lasted until 4pm both days with attendance well over 2500 for the both days. With thanks to the Hannahs Charity for this superb christmas event and special thanks to Susan for her excellent organisation to bring us altogether without a hitch!

A donation was made to the charity from our profits

New Recycled Shop Sign

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

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devon recycling, eco shop, pallet wood, shop sign, torquay recycle shop, United kingdom, Used2bee, wood recycling

It really is about time we had a new sign on the shop front

this shop sign has to say we are about recycling

We have both been looking at the shop branding since we sold off the Recycling Collection Service business last year, this shop has to say we are about recycling i have been saying to Jo.
We currently have the corporate office style lettering on a plain white plastic board, well thats ok for recycling waste services but doesnt inspire excitement for customers looking for beautiful homeware, gifts and crafts!

Jo recently done a facebook post on recycling pallets into furniture, so theres a great supply of underused resource that i could use! The pallet wood i recently used to remake a metal framed table in a beach hut style with each short piece of timber a different colour. This effect would look great above the shopfront window in our shop colours of Lime Green, Berry and Chocolate Brown. These colours we use in the shop to represent the types of product we sell -Recycled(green) Organic(brown) and Fairtrade(purple)

I have begun to cut the letters from old pine furniture as the pallet wood is not wide enough, and they will be mounted proud of the boards to stand out. Jo had the idea of fixing them with bedsprings so they move in the wind, and i suggested that i could backlight them with a Solar Powered LED string.

Looking forward to seeing it now!

New Bottle Wall Project 2013

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by used2bee in Projects

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Bottle wall, devon england, garden wall, glass bottles, home projects, recycled glass, recycling in devon, Used2bee

When the last storms tore down our old fence panels at home I decided to add something a little different!
The boundary fence has an odd section where the garden is terraced to the rising garden. This odd section is about the size of a door, I could have cut a door to fit but wanted more morning light to the kitchen.
We had already created a bottle wall in the garden with 400 recycled wine bottles and now are creating a variation of this that isn’t quite so dense. Fixing old bed springs recycled from an old mattress to a solid treated frame, we plan to insert the bottles Inside the springs for a totally unique feature.
The first pic shows what we plan to do, and the second shows the space filled with mattress springs ready for the bottle to be fixed in. We have found though that springs and bottle vary slightly in size, so a little adjustment and snipping is required.
I will post later an update when i have filled the spaces with bottles!

Image

HOW WE STARTED

22 Saturday Jun 2013

Tags

clothing, Devon, eco friendly, eco shopping, England, Environment, recycled art, recycling, shop, Torquay, Used2bee

Back in 1995 Steve and Joanne Clark started recycling waste from homes and businesses in South Devon. Some great ideas emerged from reusing these material to make new products and artworks. Popular items at the time were CD racks, Glass Lanterns, Shelves, Tables, Clocks and Mens Ties.

Recycling waste for business became very popular and our reputation improved with support from Local Council Recycling Officers In Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams. Until 2012 we were recycling over 350 Tonnes of Cardboard, Paper and Textiles per year!

This year bought about changes though with Recycling Collections being taken over by our trading partners Coastal Waste in Exeter. Now we are concentrating on the fun side of the business, recycled Art, Crafts and Giftware. We have a real passion for Upcycled Furniture, passing from the recent fad of Shabby Chic to a more designer led 1950s urban furniture.

Used2bee Recycling Shop is at 49 Sherwell Valley Road Torquay Devon TQ26EL

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What did it… used2bee

~ Recycled Craft Gifts Furniture and Clothing

Tag Archives: Used2bee

How To Make A Wind Generator From Scrap

Project – Plastic Bottle Greenhouse

PROJECT -1950s GPlan Coffee Table

Project: Sandra’s Table Turns Gypsy

PROJECT: Recycled Cat Bed

New Recycled Shop Sign

Hannah’s Chistmas Gift Fayre

New Recycled Shop Sign

New Bottle Wall Project 2013

HOW WE STARTED