Woodmanse steel back gear.

[TdcJD]

That's what I thought. I saw a few pictures of one with wood bearing caps somewhere else. Pretty interesting looking, would be cool to have something with wood bearing, doesn't get much simpler than that haha. I think on mine I'll just go back with babbitt instead of the oil impregnated bushings. It's lasted this long and I already have plenty of babbitt metal.

Is the thickness on those shims super important or will cork that's close work fine?

[CTXmiller]

I don’t think the thickness is of a major concern of the material used. Others might have a more informed opinion. Cork would probably work fine.

I purchased a scrap piece of leather off of eBay (5/6oz 2-2.4mm that is the material thickness I randomly picked) for about $14 or so and cut the pieces I needed for my open gear, plus I have extra leather left over to make leather washers for bonnet nuts. I soaked those cut pieces in some excess compressor oil I had around. When I slightly compress the upper bearing housing on to the windmill main frame with the nuts/bolts, I can see that the leather is/was saturated with oil as some oil squeezes out of the leather. Soaking the leather or cork in oil (at least in my mind) also helps it become weather resistant.

[TdcJD]

That makes sense, I would bet originally the leather was oiled too. Plus I bet oil seeps in from inside and keeps it wet aswell. Did you paint yours or just clean it and leave as is?

[CTXmiller]

I have two open gear older windmills and one more modern-ish open gear. I’m not painting the two old open gears from the early 1900s, but will paint the more modern open gear mill.

[TdcJD]

Oh okay. Yea I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint this one considering how rusty the wheel is. Wouldn't match! Haha. Probably will just spray it down with oil after cleaning it

Whenever you have a chance, would you be able to get the dimensions on the tail of yours so I can start looking into building one from scratch?

[CTXmiller]

Sorry for the confusion. I’ve been talking about my Butler in how I opted to replace the Babbitt bearings for what I considered an upgrade with the oil impregnated bronze bushings and the presence of leather shim as a similarity between old open gears. I was trying to talk similarities and pointers as I don’t own a Woodmanse.

The two open gear oldies that I own are a Baker X and Butler Double Gear and the newer one is a Parish.

[TdcJD]

Ohh okay sorry I misunderstood haha. Well l believe Wayne has one, maybe he can if it's not up high on a tower. Or who knows, maybe someone at the trade fair will have one for not too much and I can have an original.

[TdcJD]

Working on rebabbitting today. I see on the pitman arm that it had oil wicks in either end. What is a good material to use for new wicks? Would regular oil lamp wick work?

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Original were wire wicks but oil lamp wicks should work !!!

[mtblah]

Thomas , yes as Dan says , also what works is sheep wool , raw , as it still has oil so adding more is good .