We recently picked up an Aermotor A602 on a 40' 3 leg trused tower in Fairland, OK. Pretty sure the A602 is the second mill on the tower. An open gear being the first. We found "Fairland, OK" written on one of the legs, still legible after 110+ years.
My question: What type of paint or ink was used to mark the galvanized steel? We often find very legible stenciling with the names of towns, supply houses, owners, etc. on the towers legs and tail vanes. What paint or ink is so durable that it lasts exposure to the elements for over 100 years?
Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
- PaulV
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1088
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:52 pm
- Location: Collinsville, Oklahoma
- Contact:
Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
PaulV
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
I always thought the paint was lead based and the reason it would last for a century or more and still be legible.
-
- Posts: 2104
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:06 pm
- Location: Alcove N.Y.i buy and restore
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
I agree it's the lead in the paint. !!!
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
Carbon black & squid ink
-
- Posts: 2104
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:06 pm
- Location: Alcove N.Y.i buy and restore
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
The first loop step ladder came out in 1899 i believe. !!
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
I found an Aermotor tower on my Great Grandpa's place. With the early peg steps. What was left was still standing with D. and Sons Corisicana Texas on one leg. Never have been able to figure out who D. and Sons was.
- PaulV
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1088
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:52 pm
- Location: Collinsville, Oklahoma
- Contact:
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
Candidates so far:
Carbon black and squid ink. Is this an actual ink, or the dye used in lead-based paint?
- lead-based paint
- Carbon black & squid ink
Carbon black and squid ink. Is this an actual ink, or the dye used in lead-based paint?
PaulV
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
Both
Printers & artists & chefs use squid ink to make black
Printers & artists & chefs use squid ink to make black
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
Lead based paint may be outlawed now ?
Maybe find some old cans of black paint at garage sales , stashed in 100 year old barns, etc
Maybe find some old cans of black paint at garage sales , stashed in 100 year old barns, etc
-
- Posts: 496
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:25 am
- Location: Uncompahgre Plateau Montrose CO
- Contact:
Re: Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink
Lead in paint and gas was good until it wasn't. For paint that was 1978. You can buy powdered lead for homebrew. If you want to make it also fire proof,
throw in some asbestos...
If the tower is two 20s and not 20 and two 10s AND 15" rungs, it probably originally had an open gear. But there is a blatant incongruity to it.
Was it standing and complete when you got it?
Was it the original installation?
Were there any other shipping addresses on the tower?Or tail vane?
Corner angle of 2 and a 1/2. Or 2 and 3 /8.?
throw in some asbestos...
If the tower is two 20s and not 20 and two 10s AND 15" rungs, it probably originally had an open gear. But there is a blatant incongruity to it.
Was it standing and complete when you got it?
Was it the original installation?
Were there any other shipping addresses on the tower?Or tail vane?
Corner angle of 2 and a 1/2. Or 2 and 3 /8.?