Original Steel Star

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steve p
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:10 pm

Original Steel Star

Post by steve p »

This is a project that John Durdle and I started about a year and a half ago.
John bought this mill at the Kendelville trade fair from Todd Skinner.
There was the usual wear you would expect for a mill of this vintage. Mostly the only welding I had to do was on the hinge pocket in the main frame and on the hinge where it sets into the frame. I reshaped it using a grinder and rotary burr in a die grinder.
A new shaft was made and new Babbitt bearings were poured in the one piece bearing carrier and the Pittman arm. Some of these mills had two piece shell type bearings with separate caps.
The shaft keys had a very slight taper.
The day we put the mill all together my lovely wife Betsy was there to lend another set of hands. This wasnt her first time helping out on a windmill.
This was a fun and interesting project. Working with John is always a pleasure. He is a walking encyclopedia on windmills.
The stand we built up is similar the ones that John has other mills displayed on in his yard. If works very well and has enough spread to keep it from flipping over with any anchors in the ground.
Thanks for looking.
IMG_20190904_53204.jpg
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Last edited by steve p on Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
steve p
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:10 pm

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by steve p »

More pictures
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steve p
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:10 pm

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by steve p »

IMG_20190904_30823.jpg
More pics.
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steve p
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:10 pm

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by steve p »

I know i look like a grump. Just hot and tired. It was a great day.
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windybob
Posts: 3508
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:59 pm
Location: Ames Oklahoma

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by windybob »

Looks good! I have one just like it. My tailbone does not have the brace. I think the #7 tail did not have one, if I remember, so I might have the tail for a 7 that was on the SS.

Don't worry Steve. I don't like pictures of me either. ;)

John always looks pleasant. :D
Call Dan Benjamin for parts. P M me for the phone number.
Terry
Posts: 222
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Moundridge Ks.

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by Terry »

Good job Steve and John.
Terry
Wayne
Posts: 2115
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2018 10:03 am
Location: Corsicana Tx.

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by Wayne »

Nice! Don't know if I've ever seen another design so simple to get water out of the ground. Not lot of moving parts to worry about!
steve p
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:10 pm

Re: Original Steel Star

Post by steve p »

Yes, very simple. Works very smoothly.
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