The Pyro Gallery

In addition to our regular line of pyro tools, we often make special tools on order. This section shows a few of these projects.

Click any thumbnail for a larger image.

Custom Rocket Press

Overall view of press

View of pressing platform and pressure conversion gauge. Note adjustments for stage.

Upper part of the cylinder showing the pressure gauge

How the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the top plate of the rocket press

Valve controls

View of adjustment steps for pressing stage

One horsepower motor and pump (110 volts)

Custom made ¾" star plate for rocket press

The Charcoal Crusher

Commissioned by Robert Westfall to break up charcoal lumps from his Retort. Helical grooved, the stainless steel rollers pull the charcoal lumps to the center of the rollers crushing them as they are pulled through.

The rollers are adjustable from two to zero inches.

Constructed of heavy aluminum blocks. All fasteners are stainless steel. Crush rollers run on bronze bushings and are driven by #35 chain. Chain tension is maintained by an adjustable idler sprocket.

Interchangeable sprockets mounted to the crank handle change crusher speed to suit the conditions.

This unit will be delivered at the 2009 PGI Convention in Mason City, IA.

Three-Piece Rocket Tube Clamp

Think you can make one of these?

I got a call from Steve LaDuke with an idea for a different type of tube support, one with 3 leaves to be held in place by tapered rings. Steve and I talked about different ways to machine this as he is also an accomplished machinist. This idea stuck in my mind for a couple of months as to how to machine this from a solid bar, cut it apart into 3 leaves and still maintain a round bore to support the tube.

Cutting the blank into 3 pieces leaves the inside and outside diameters triangular in shape. After cutting all surfaces it had to be remachined. With most of the details finally worked out it was time to give it a try.

Five and a half hours later it was finished: made for a 1 lb. NEPT 6½" long tube. All leaves are interchangeable and the bore and O.D. are true round, NOT triangular. There are 3 stainless steel tapered rings to hold the 3 leaves together. Steve LaDuke tried the sleeve, pressing to 8000 PSI. It worked perfectly—no sticking of the rings, no distortion.