Leather wrapped wooden wheel

[Wind Charger Mike]

Came across a wood wheel section at Round Top with leather straps helping to hold the vanes in place. Looks like there’s also nails involved. Was this a common practice?
The dealer had already sold several wheel sections for $650 ea….they apparently have pedigree. He said they came from the estate of Buster Welch of Abilene. He died last year, age 94, famous Texas rodeo cowboy and he made many contributions to the ranching and livestock industries. He also played himself on an episode of Yellowstone.

[JBarker]

Wow, that's interesting!

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Never seen or heard of that before.Thats really interesting!!!

[mtblah]

Another fine example of the suburban house wife decorating their walls and ruining the windmill trade .

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

Real common on Eclipse mills back in the day, I have heard many an old timer talk about "Raw Hyding" the sections. The raw hyde was wrapped around and shrunk back as it dried in the sun would make a very strong bond, even stronger than the blade itself. That is a real nice example piece, take care of it!

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

K.R.B. was that done at the factory or by the farmer?

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

No, they were done by the owner, Most I have heard about came from ranch country from SW Kansas, down through the Panhandles West Tex and NM. They said it could really extend the life of a wheel but didn't do a lot for its looks.

[Wind Charger Mike]

Thanks Kansas Rust Buzzard, that’s exactly the kind of history I was hoping to hear. I didn’t buy the section but I do have more respect for it now, maybe not $650 worth of respect which is the guys asking price.
I’m wondering if the museum in Lubbock has any examples with the leather or any other museum for that matter.

[Wayne]

I think Dr. Baker did an article about doing that in Windmiller's Gazette. Mike Dr Baker could probably answer that question.

[Wind Charger Mike]

Thanks Wayne