Need Help Identifying

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

I did notice the tailvane hinge is missing and the governor arm and weight. Best thing to do is get a parts list and diagram. For how old that Mill is it's in good condition especially the tin work!!

[seager]

Windcatcher530 Dan,
Thanks for your comments. I would be interested in knowing the ~approximate age and could you point me in the right direction in acquiring a tailvane hinge and the governor and weight? That would be much appreciated. I have looked around the farm for the those missing pieces but haven’t found anything at this point. I intend to get this windmill up and running again so others can enjoy it. I am a very new person to this so any help would in finding a company that sold vintage parts would be terrific.

[CTXmiller]

You might consider Hoosier Windmills or Dan Benjamin of Freeman, SD for the parts and or restoration.

Age wise, I’d say 1890s thru around the 1910s. Someone might can narrow those dates down with additional literature.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Hey Steve I'm going to be honest it might be a little tough finding parts for your Mill for a couple reasons. First your mill being a Direct Stroke Steel Star isn't common infact it's the only one i know of. The back stroke were more common but still rare.Im not sure if the tailvane hinge and governor parts are the same as a back stroke model being there hubs are different. There is a guy in Ohio that had some parts years ago i will see if I can reach him. As far as the age of your mill it's run was from 1892 to around 1907 as far as I can tell. Maybe someone else can add to that. Dan !!

[CTXmiller]

Dan,

I’ve seen a few of them on Facebook, including one previously restored and available for sale. However very few are as complete as Steve’s is.

Paul’s Windmill Service says 1885.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Paul's add is incorrect!! The original Star Mill was wooden and in 1891 the steel star back stroke came out and 1892 the direct stroke came out this im pretty sure about. As far as how long the direct stroke steel star was in production I'm not really sure about I'm guessing when the model 7 or 9 came out they might of made a direct stroke.I don't have any litterateur on those models.

[CTXmiller]

Patent dates might help narrow the initial production year, but I’m not that vested in F&W windmills to make that effort to research that

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Michael this is from Mr Baker's field guide book,i also have other info to confirm it

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[windybob]

The green book should be able to isolate the year it came out.

[seager]

Thanks again folks for sharing your information and timely advice. I will definitely follow up on those points.