Original Steel Star

[windybob]

Not too many pieces make up this old mill, it's a direct stroke. Was wondering if anyone had a decent drawing of this head. Don't really have to have it, but I had a few issues on a couple of parts. Like the spacing of the crank plate, and what a couple of parts I don't have look like.

Thanks in advance.

[billcobb]

steel star2.jpg

Steel Star.jpg

[windybob]

Thank you sir. ! Works for me.

[steve p]

Anyone have the dimensions of the pins that go into the pump rod and crank plate on the direct stroke steel star?
I know the one for the crank plate is a bolt with left hand threads. The pin that goes in the pump rod looks to have a step down in it. Need to make both these parts to finish this mill . It's John Durdle's mill. We have been working on it for a little over a year now. Thanks
Steve

[pcowley (RIP)]

stevep,
what size mill? the rod pin is braded in. do you have a pitman? if so measure the holes in the pitman to get the pin sizes. check out my web site and see if i have your size pins for sale.

[windybob]

I think mine measured 1 inch dia. Pitman I mean. For an 8 ft mill. I made a pump rod. Will put a 1 inch pin on it. But I don't have a crank plate pin. I would make one, but that darn left hand thread wrecks me doing it every time. lol If I can't get one, I will "fake one in." looks like both pins are 1 inch where they go thru the pitman. Of course the pitman needs re-babbitted.

[steve p]

It's an 8 foot mill. I wondered if the pin on the pump rod was riveted over. Will look at your site. I was thinking they might be something like 3/4 diameter.

[windybob]

MY mistake! You are right, the pin is not 1 inch on either end. After careful examination, and making a pumprod for mine today, it looks like the top of the pitman takes a 7/8 pin, and the bottom takes a 3/4 inch pin.

I tried in several different pin sizes, and that's the best I can see. Even with the holes worn like eggs, larger pin sizes won't fit properly considering babbitted ends.

[steve p]

Thanks Bob! The 7/8 seems big but I will have another look. Won't leave much room for Babbitt around it.
One other question. Did the pump rod guide have Babbitt in it?

[windybob]

You can make it 3/4 for more practical purposes if you want. I doubt anyone will be carrying a mic when looking at it.

I see no traces of babbitt in the upper guide. Mine was worn thru on the side, and I welded in a piece to make it back up to par. the 1 X 1 part of the rod that goes thru it leaves no room anyway. Some makers reccomend daubing grease there as a regular maintenance action.

If you look at the parts list real close, it appears the upper pin is a shade bigger than the lower. No, forget that. the parts diagram is not to scale anyway. Never mind.