Re: Dempster 12A
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 5:39 am
I think some of the early Dempster 12's used a six section wheel in the 8 foot size, not 100% certain about that. Just something to keep in mind.
I once got a hold of an abandoned Dempster 12. The gearbox and vane were from an eight footer. Noticed that the stroke was about 5 1/2 inches, could not be adjusted to a longer stroke. Just something else to keep in mind.
With regards to the above windmill, it had the 5 section wheel hub. Some had fitted a 6 foot Samson wheel onto it. But a 6 foot Samson wheel has only four sections and only 12 blades. Not a problem. Somebody cut 'n' welded some angle steel to make a fifth section arm. He then proceeded to put the wheel sections on, using his welding equipment to make the necessary modifications to the wheel so that it would fit. Evidently he didn't have a spring to hold the tail in place, so he used 2 bungee cords instead. The windmill had been put over a shallow well, appears the 6 foot wheel was adequate.
Had a windmilling friend who needed a Dempster gearbox to fix an ailing Dempster. I let him have the windmill, and he was quite satisfied with the gearbox despite the short stroke (had a suitable Dempster wheel for it). Might still be pumping water yet (this windmill was for work, not for show). He declined on the modified Samson wheel and the bungee cords.
Challenge 27
P.S. Still have that wheel. If somebody wants it for the blades and/or the blade clips (they're OK) let me know. The ends of the blades have been beaded or crimped. Some of the rims probably could be salvaged. And of course there are the 5 wheel section arms (4 are the original Samson arms). The galvanizing did suffer due to all the welding; somebody spayed red paint on it.
I once got a hold of an abandoned Dempster 12. The gearbox and vane were from an eight footer. Noticed that the stroke was about 5 1/2 inches, could not be adjusted to a longer stroke. Just something else to keep in mind.
With regards to the above windmill, it had the 5 section wheel hub. Some had fitted a 6 foot Samson wheel onto it. But a 6 foot Samson wheel has only four sections and only 12 blades. Not a problem. Somebody cut 'n' welded some angle steel to make a fifth section arm. He then proceeded to put the wheel sections on, using his welding equipment to make the necessary modifications to the wheel so that it would fit. Evidently he didn't have a spring to hold the tail in place, so he used 2 bungee cords instead. The windmill had been put over a shallow well, appears the 6 foot wheel was adequate.
Had a windmilling friend who needed a Dempster gearbox to fix an ailing Dempster. I let him have the windmill, and he was quite satisfied with the gearbox despite the short stroke (had a suitable Dempster wheel for it). Might still be pumping water yet (this windmill was for work, not for show). He declined on the modified Samson wheel and the bungee cords.
Challenge 27
P.S. Still have that wheel. If somebody wants it for the blades and/or the blade clips (they're OK) let me know. The ends of the blades have been beaded or crimped. Some of the rims probably could be salvaged. And of course there are the 5 wheel section arms (4 are the original Samson arms). The galvanizing did suffer due to all the welding; somebody spayed red paint on it.