F&W 8ft Steel Star project

[TdcJD]

You know that's exactly what Mike said when it happened! Haha
Does anyone know if those pins are a standard size I can find or are then something that has to be machined?

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Mark replaced his maybe he'll see this post.

[63markB]

Dang it. I hate that for you. I ground the end off of my pins and then drilled a relief hole before pushing them out. But I had a minor crack in mine as well.

[TdcJD]

Yup I will definitely be drilling these out moving forward. I'll already be brazing my Dempster hub, so one more braze job isn't so bad I suppose. Also, forgive a dump question.. how are you meant to bolt together this wheel I got? Are you supposed to use carriage bolts or does it not really matter? This is my first experience with a windmill and I would prefer it to not fly apart on me! hahaha

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

The square holes probably had carriage bolts but you don't have to use them but with carriage bolts you only need one wrench.

[windybob]

And use lock washers, or lock nuts on everything to do with a wheel.

[TdcJD]

Okay cool. That's what I thought but wasn't to sure on it.

[Kenneth]

Those pins are pressed in and peened over on the back. Check out F&W Steel Star in the projects section. I explain how I remade and replaced mine. Hope it helps.

Kenneth

[TdcJD]

Okay awesome. I read you thread, that info will be useful. Lucky for me there are a few threads for the steel stars on here!

Another question for the council, now that I have managed to break two different windmills, what do y'all find is the best brazing rod to use to replace busted cast? And flux coated or separate tub of flux?

[windybob]

I use coated. But if I can weld cast, I would rather do that than braze.