Possible Pad "Dryer"

[jayhkr]

Ok, there was a post a while ago: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26512-how-dry-foam-pad-after-hand-washing.html that Mike had mentioned if someone was an entrepreneur fabricating a pad dryer. Well I have dabbled in woodworking for many years and for me that's the easiest way to fabricate something to help dry our pads. Now I have a lot of testing to do before I change the desing to a plastic model but I at least have the dimensions now for later. It's a basic box with "holders" for the pads to rest. The one I built can hold 10 5.5" pads or 1 Yeti wash mitt, which that fabrication will take place in a day or two. At the moment there is one cpu fan in the back with a filter attached to keep the air "clean" while blowing air in. This fan can push 70 cfm with proper power. That is where my issue comes in. In order for this to work I would need to either convert this fan to a 120v plug in, or find a battery that is small enough in size, but big enough in power to run this contraption for a very long time. I was going to try one of those camping size batteries but I really need to figure out a conversion style fan that is relatively low cost but has good air flow. Here are a few pictures of what I have so far. Still need to add some air vents to the sides for better flow, and attach the door but you get the picture. Feed back please

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/001.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/002.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/003.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/004.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/005.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/007.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/jayhkr/Pad%20dryer/008.jpg

I know it's rough looking, but that's what mock-ups look like before we see them in the final stages. I just need to find a good place to get some plastic sheets as I can only find plexiglass at Lowes right now. Might have to make some phone calls. I'm going to grab a gram scale and test the weight of pads completely dry (give them a week or so) then take half of them and "wash" them as I normally would and re-weigh them. Half will go into the box while the other half will stay out and dry normally. I'll re-weigh everyday to see if the weight changes between the two. We'll see, I may have just wasted 2 days and $8.00 in parts but hey, who knows I may have the next AG special too! LOL

[CEE DOG]

To cool man! Love the creativity :props: Designing and building things is a great thing

[Jeff120]

Thats awesome!
Feedback
What do you do for smaller or larger pads? You need adjustable "shelves"

Maybe put it on legs, then have a fan on the bottom and one on the top for better air flow.

[jayhkr]

Yeah, I was thinking of that option where maybe the bars infront could slide towards the back to accomodate smaller size pads. That shouldn't be to tricky when I get to the plastic version but I can try a quick mock up of that option too. I agree that more air flow will proably be better, but I also want to keep the size down as small as possible. Great idea though! Thank you!

[cobalt9123]

Definitely make the shelves adjustable. Also, I would definitely suggest you make it a 120V wall-plug device, or a rechargeable device. A wall plug would probably be preferable as we like to just put our pads in there and go rest from a LONG session of detailing :)

As for the design, I believe you should place some mesh air vents in it that will allow air and moisture to get out but not let dust in. You should have both and intake and an exhaust fan in the box. One sucking air in, one pushing air out. Obviously they should be in alignment, and obviously the air flow should go parallel to the pads; otherwise the first pad that receives air will block the other pads from getting any air. You're really going to want to focus on three main things: Getting fresh air in, pushing moist air out, and keeping dust out. That is the only way people will buy something like this. Oh, and it can't be too expensive :props:

Let me know if you need any design help, I build and design custom performance computers and I deal a lot with air flow (and CPU fans just like the one you're using). Good luck!

[2003 GMC Denali]

Oh, and it can't be too expensive :props:

People will pay up to $135.00 for a Pad Washer..., so I bet those same people would have no problem dropping up to that much Cash for a Pad Dryer... me thinks.

I too dabble in Wood-Working as well. I would build one, (for myself) for the fun of it, but not to compete with you, since you took the initiative to start the construction of a prototype and discuss it here on AG.

Good Luck with it.

[Mike Phillips]

I like it!

I like the idea placing the pads vertical instead of horizontal like shown in this picture from the thread where this discussion first came up.

How to dry a foam pad after hand washing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26512-how-dry-foam-pad-after-hand-washing.html)



Afterwards, place your foam buffing pads upside down some place where they will stay clean where air can circulate around them and moisture can evaporate out of them.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/WringOutWater08.jpg



And here was my comment from the above thread,




Are you an entrepreneur?
Maybe this is a chance for come creative person to build the first "Pad Dryer". Kind of like a "Food Dryer or Dehydrator". A cabinet with racks and a fan and ta-da you have a "Pad Dryer".

Make it so you can assemble it from flat pieces that will pile into a box so it's small, light, easy and inexpensive to ship and then send me 10% of the profits.


:D



I'm very impressed.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[jayhkr]

Definitely make the shelves adjustable. Also, I would definitely suggest you make it a 120V wall-plug device, or a rechargeable device. A wall plug would probably be preferable as we like to just put our pads in there and go rest from a LONG session of detailing :)

As for the design, I believe you should place some mesh air vents in it that will allow air and moisture to get out but not let dust in. You should have both and intake and an exhaust fan in the box. One sucking air in, one pushing air out. Obviously they should be in alignment, and obviously the air flow should go parallel to the pads; otherwise the first pad that receives air will block the other pads from getting any air. You're really going to want to focus on three main things: Getting fresh air in, pushing moist air out, and keeping dust out. That is the only way people will buy something like this. Oh, and it can't be too expensive :props:

Let me know if you need any design help, I build and design custom performance computers and I deal a lot with air flow (and CPU fans just like the one you're using). Good luck!

Great feedback here! I agree with the air flow, so really the only 2 options are to have an inflow at the top and exhaust at the bottom or put the fans on the sides. Since there would be a door putting the fan there wouldn't be an easy task as far as the wiring goes. I am planning on adding the air vents, just havn't gotten there yet. Do you know of anyway in converting these little fans into 120v? Obviously there is a way since they go into a computer, however I don't want it to be bulky or heavy so I was going to see if there was a small or lightweight "transformer" for such a thing. It was a fun and easy project in the beginning, but I can see that IF I get serious about this, I could loose a lot of sleep at night over it! Of course I'll need some "beta" testers if it ever comes to light! :dblthumb2: Thanks again everyone for your feedback!

[mikep288]

Excellent idea and implementation jayhrk!

If I can add a couple of ideas... Forget adapting the power for the fan(s) to 120v. There are 120v fans out there. Try Parts-expess.com or any other electronics type site and you'll turn some up. Here's one to try: Fan 115 VAC 4-5/8" x 1-1/2" Sleeve Bearing | Parts-Express.com (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=259-150)

or better yet:

AC 115V Fans (http://www.coolerguys.com/ac120vfans.html)

As for an alternative material for the case, you could try a material that boaters use called Starboard. I think many of the marine places sell it by the foot and in varying thicknesses.

It can be worked with all of your existing woodworking tools, can be screwed or glued together for a fastener-free look and finishes out nicely. Similar to the material used for the white plastic cutting boards you see out there and comes in colors including beige and black if I recal correctly. One source, but I'm sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere:

TEAK ISLE Acrylic at West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=30676&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10104&subdeptNum=10356&classNum=10997)


Hope these ideas help and again, nicely done!:xyxthumbs:

[Bunky]

I ended up with 4 grit guards through purchases so they also double as pad dryers.

[clm65]

Nice work!

You should be able to get a small power supply or transformer to power those little DC fans.

If you mount a fan at the bottom, make sure any water drops can't land on/in it.

[jayhkr]

or better yet:

AC 115V Fans (http://www.coolerguys.com/ac120vfans.html)

As for an alternative material for the case, you could try a material that boaters use called Starboard. I think many of the marine places sell it by the foot and in varying thicknesses.

TEAK ISLE Acrylic at West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=30676&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10104&subdeptNum=10356&classNum=10997)


Hope these ideas help and again, nicely done!:xyxthumbs:
Man, thank you so much for the 115v fan link! That is exactly what I need. I've never heard of this Starboard material. I'll look into that, but it's about as expensive as regular acrylic, I'm sure I'll find some sort of case matieral soon enough. Lots of testing and tweeking to do first with the cheap wood material. My vacation is starting to come to a close after Monday, but I'm going to keep plugging away on this project to see how far I can get with it. You all have been a great help! Thank you so much!

[DARK HORSE]

Here's my pad dryer...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_02752.JPG

[jayhkr]

How long does it take for your pads to be completely dry?

[ryandamartini]

I wish I would have posted earlier.. I had started CAD designs. If you want to partner on this, pm me. Im a computer engineer by degree, I do cad :)