First Dempster

[RPinAZ]

Thanks all.

[RPinAZ]

OK, next question. In the parts list, it shows a "dust guard washer", item #9 (p/n 1273N, 900 10128) between the brake spider and that spacer just forward of the front bearing. I either lost it in disassembly or it was never there. Is this anything special or just a flat washer? Does anyone know how thick it is?

RP

[windybob]

Its like a leather or rubber washer to keep dust out of the oil seal. The older kind of felt seal doesn't use it.

[RPinAZ]

Thanks Windy. I think I have some leather that will work. Just so I understand, the ID of that washer should be the same as the spacer OD? So on assembly, once the shaft and the end plate/oilseal is in place and the spacer is slid down the shaft through the oil seal, then that dust seal washer would slide on the part of the spacer that's sticking out through the oil seal, then the spiders go on?

RP

[windybob]

Yep. That's it.

[RPinAZ]

Got a little more done today. The main shaft assy is pretty much ready to install (first pic). With the aft pinion gear removed, the whole thing slides right in. Made new spacers to accommodate the 1779 bearings and a new front spacer. I had already seated the aft bearing race when I thought I should take a picture (that's why its not there).

Got a couple questions on the install. One, does it make any sense to pack the bearings with a light grease as an assembly lube (while the front one is still accessible)?

And two, on installing the forward bearing race, I understand that you can use a couple of pieces of all thread and the end plate to press the race in place. I was thinking I would drive it in instead - made a driver that fits over the shaft for this purpose (second pic). I'm going to tap it in until there's a slight preload on the bearings, then measure the distance from the forward edge of the snout to the forward edge of the race and compare that to the end plate extension to determine how many gaskets to use under the end plate flange. Does this make sense? Is there something I'm missing?

RP

[windybob]

Sounds right to me. On a 6 footer you can slide it all in except the rear pinion. Not so on an 8 ft. Yes, tap in the outer race. The extension on the plate will push on the race and determine the preload on the bearings. I usually don't load them too much, mild resistance is fine. I've seen one gasket there, and I've seen 10. I would install the oil seal in the plate, the plate on the head, then the seal bushing and dirt washer, in that order. After you get it installed, the mainshaft can slide in and out. I usually block the end of it where the castle nut is, with a tie rod fork. Then you can install the hubs without the mainshaft sliding. Oh! Don't forget the o ring inside the seal bushing, and make sure the o ring goes away from the keyway. No use in having an oil seal o ring over a keyway.

[Dsltrk]

Nice project, Dempsters seem to be pretty difficult mills to restore.

[mtblah]

most of us rebuild 1 , then move onto windmills that make mechanical sence , like Flint % Walling , Ideal Steel . lots of others

[windybob]

Once you understand, and get used to them, they aren't too bad. The good thing is, after those you can handle most of the others with relative ease.