Hello! And thanks in advance for the guidance

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Oldwindmill i know your excited about getting your windmill up and running just slow down a little. A wise windmiller whose name is Pat Hunt told me you can't be in a hurry when it comes to rebuilding or restoring a windmill.Its easier to do it right when it's on the ground.Get your gearbox, wheel, and tailvane done and then check back with us.The tower is last on the list just my opinion.

[Mister Ed]

LOL Thanks! Tell that to Ed. He ribbs me about the 'cartoon colors'.

BWAHAHAHA ... just had to replace my keyboard because I spit coffee all over it.

[Smax]

Old windmill when you get to the tower I find a couple of large crescent type wrenches will straighten most kinks out. Most important thing to do first is to check the condition of the head ( gearbox) look for wore out shafts and casing. If all is well replace the bearings . the wheel and sails can be straightened with light hammer and a vice and as windy bob says a well placed foot . your wheel looks good compared to most I have seen

[Oldwindmill]

We’ll things are progressing. I have most of the blades/arms disassembled. One glaring issue I have discovered prior to even looking at the interior of the gearbox is this broken piece. I’m wondering if this is a piece that somebody would have that I could find somewhere? Or would the advice be to have it welded together? (I don’t pretend to be a welder so I would have to bring the gearbox somewhere). For reference it’s a total break on the piece of metal below the chain in the attached photo.

The good news is the box isn’t seized and spins relatively easily. So I’m hoping any other gearbox issues will be minimal in nature.

Please let me know! Thank you!

[windybob]

I don't see why that can't be welded. Might get a price after it's all dissasembled and you take it to a welding shop. I mean before you drop it off and say do it. There may be other welding involved by the time you take it all apart.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Also find out if they weld cast iron. That's a special type of welding. I only know of one welder near me that does it

[Oldwindmill]

Also find out if they weld cast iron. That's a special type of welding. I only know of one welder near me that does it

Great advice, I’ll make sure that is the only work needed before I drop it off. Also I know of a nearby cast iron welder. Thank you!

[Oldwindmill]

We’ll…I have the windmill fan completely disassembled (I think that’s what it’s called sorry if I’m wrong).

On top of the crack I previously discovered I found another one…hoping it to can be repaired? Please advise??

If it can before I send this thing to the welder is there anything else I should look at on the gearbox that a welder/metalworker could fix if broken?

Aside from the two broken pieces it seems to spin nicely, even has evidence of dry Greece. Also attached is a photo of the gears themselves.

[windybob]

Once you take it all apart, you will be able to check all the components and shafts. Then you can of test-fit broken pieces together and see the fit. May need to do a quick partial assemble of some parts for the welder. That way he can weld them in place. You really don't want to have things welded crooked, because it will be a nightmare to get back together. So, welding items in their natural position would be much better. Especially if a break is not really a clean break. Clean breaks are easy because they go together very well. A bad break, or worn break is really nasty to get back together correctly. I would pre-assemble the items with a nasty bad break, for welding-in-position.

[Oldwindmill]

I’m wondering if I should take the head to the welder as it sits right now so he has a good idea of how it should be. Then I can continue the disassembly after he’s done?

I showed him a photo of what I have going on and he’s willing to take it in his shop tomorrow.