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As requested, here's a pic of my poor man's mixer, a bottle turner built out of K'NEX.
submitted over 6 years ago by LoganPhyve

Since I can only post text, here's a few pics of the "LoganPhyve bottle turner for kids who want to learn how to mix good and do other stuff good, too".

I wound up using a new batch bottle that was a tad smaller than 1000ml for a 950ml batch, and wasn't able to shake it due to the small amount of air left in the bottle (it was supposed to be a 1L bottle).

I decided turning the bottle for a long time was the best way to mix this batch, so I constructed this little bottle turner out of some of my kid's K'NEX. The idea was to emulate a hot-dog roller like you see in gas stations.

The larger wheels can be driven either way; I run them so they are rolling their side of the bottle upward. The other set of wheels just free-wheel on their axle and let the bottle sit in its "cradle" and spin. The wheels can be moved inward/outward on their axis, so this can be adapted to fit any number of bottles with a diameter large enough to prevent falling in between the axles.

I left my batch on for about an hour and I actually think this is the mix I've done yet, I pretty much only vape wintergreen menthol, which is shake-n-vape and I am very pleased with the results of such an inexpensive and cheap contraption.

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. Maybe this will help someone else out there.

Comments
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10 points
 
by nabinkoover 6 years ago

It's glorious.

4 points
 
by LoganPhyveover 6 years ago

Thanks, lol. For as stupid simple as it is, it works really well.

5 points
 
by sliover 6 years agoFrugivore

If it's stupid and it works, it ain't stupid.

NE: /u/DispassionatePuff beat me to it.

2 points
 
by ReMaxxUTover 6 years agoTobacconist

Nice job, it's the KISS principle in the flesh. Did you happen to count revolutions to find out the RPM?

I need something like this for my nic bottles. As of now I just roll them side to side on a countertop once they warm up from the freezer. Maybe a lapidary tumbler would do.

2 points
 
by LoganPhyveover 6 years ago

It's somewhere around 50 - 60RPM, seems to turn the bottle at about one full rev per second. Nice and slow so the air bubble stays at the top.

This of course also depends on how fresh the batteries are. It does slow down when it gets tired and will eventually stop. I'm actually looking for a walwart powered motor so I can ditch the batteries. I had some rechargeable in there but because there's no limit on the voltage draw like on a digital appliance, it will take the batteries down past their safe discharge point. A variable walwart would also provide the option of as slower or even a slightly faster spin.

4 points
 
by DispassionatePuffover 6 years ago

If it's a stupid hack and it works, it's not stupid.

4 points
 
by cupajafferover 6 years ago

This is great, 10/10 on creativity. Thanks for posting this man

3 points
 
by herminzerahover 6 years agoDiketones, Schmiketones

Hah that is a good idea, nicely done.

3 points
 
by MasterBeernutsover 6 years ago

I've overfilled a bottle before. But lacking son, K'NEX and initiative, I tipped some into the sink.

2 points
 
by Impecunious_Slothover 6 years ago

Every time I see one of these posts, I'm like this is interesting, but, I also feel compelled to post this in the hope that it will make my fellow mixers lives easier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_mixer

Got mine used and refurbished off eBay, nothing beats it.

2 points
 
by LoganPhyveover 6 years ago

I doubt this would have worked for the size of my bottle, or the amount of air left in it, but it's a good find.

1 points
 
by Impecunious_Slothover 6 years ago

Mine has a round, flat, rubber plate with a grippy surface on it. So far it works with everything I've tried, but I usually don't make bottles bigger than 500 ML, so your results may vary.

1 points
 
by Kiviskusover 6 years ago

Magnetic stirrers are normally used for larger batches but if you get good results keep doing what you're doing!

1 points
 
by LoganPhyveover 6 years ago

Is one liter not a large batch these days? Damn

2 points
 
by debb222over 6 years ago

Nice, I'm looking into getting a Vortex! I'm not savy enough to build one.. 😂 great job! As long as it works it's all good!

1 points
 
by imNAchogrlover 6 years agoKooky

👏🏻👏🏻 Very well done! ...;)

1 points
 
by RancerDSover 6 years ago

Glad I'm not the only one using masking tape as el cheapo labels :)

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