F&W Star Model 12? Open gear id

[windybob]

How did the pour go?

[Mister Ed]

How did the pour go?

It went pretty well. I did the bottom shells, then poured the tops after. I did them all twice, mainly because I changed my mind on thickness of the bottom babbitt. But, I had no leaking "dog doo" in any of the pours ... a minor win in itself.

Interesting though, I had all kinds of issues trying to come up with a jig to hold the shafts. Then I had a brainstorm (lookout world) ... I 3D printed supports to cradle the shaft and put the shaft centerline exactly where I wanted it. It worked slicker than snot, just had to make sure I didn't get the printed plastic too hot.

[windybob]

Good for you! I like thinking of different ways of doing things.

[JBarker]

I have never lifted a Star 12 yet. But I would think a decent sized lifting strap would be in order, wrapped around frame and shaft. I have the luxury of playing around on the ground before putting it on a tower.
Here is a partial side view when I was pouring babbitt the other day. Granted most of the parts are off, but you can see the main frame and shaft. Hub goes to the right side of the main (lower shaft), big gears go on the upper shaft. Then the walking beam and crosshead go above that. The bumper/buffer casting mounts in the hole you see below the main shaft, and would come toward you in the pic (you can see it laying to the left of the stub tower). Hope this helps you get an idea.

Get it down ... I may need to borrow a couple parts to cast.
Star 12 babbitt.jpg

How often do these need to be oiled or greased once on tower??? Oil caps???

[windybob]

Once a week. Sure... like that really happens.

[Mister Ed]

I'm not sure on frequency on the Star 12s. They do have large oil reservoirs. It looks like the one in your pics has the later pitman arms with the large reservoir as well. You can see the oil wells in the last pic I posted, they are bearing cap oil reservoir combo. They hold WAY more oil than say an open gear Aermotor.

I have a neat piece of sales literature, I will see if I can find a way to scan it. Its big, so won't fit on my scanner here.

Also, here is a neat piece I found online today with a pretty good listing of F&W repair parts for several of the older mills.
https://willennar.pastperfectonline.com ... 9303128760

[Mister Ed]

Also, I suspect you will have it furled most of the time.

[windybob]

Lots of good info there...Thanks.

[Kenneth]

The Bible says to pack the oil Wells with cotton to act as a wick.
Says this is good for several weeks of lubrication. I restored a Star 12
Back in the early 2000's and it had wood bearings on the bottom frame
And Babbitt in the bearing caps. I made new wood bearings out of hard maple
But left the original Babbitt in the caps. The mill had been blown over in a tree
Since 1961 according to the owner. So it had very little wear. The mill is still
Up today and rarely gets opened.

[JBarker]

Finally down.