F&W Steel Star

[Kenneth]

Thanks Terry. This confirms my suspension. I have a Red Cross.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Congratulations Kenneth there not a common mill. Now I'm going to add a wrench to this project. Is your mill a Red Cross or a Red Star and is there a difference between the two mills does anyone know?

[Kenneth]

I'm not sure which one it is, and I am not aware if there is a difference.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Hopefully someone will know i know i would like to know for my records. Either way you must be excited that's a cool find keep us posted.

[Kenneth]

Yes. It seems to be a rare find. I will throw another wrench into the project. I believe Sears sold these as Kenwood.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Kenneth the more I think about your mill having three different names now Sears is in the picture probably the mills were identical except the name on the vane so you can call it whatever you want. Personally I like Red Star.

[Kenneth]

Dan, I like Red Star also.
I worked on the, I will call it my mill for now, today.
The last post I had removed the tailbone pivot pins from the main casting. Today I removed the pin from the tailbone casting itself, and the pin from the sheave casting.

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Then I turned new pins from 1018 cold rolled round bar. This is my setup on my mill to turn the pins. I setup a precision V block with a HSS end mill, and mount the pin in a collet. Then you run the spindle in reverse and feed the Z axis down to turn the end of the pin down. Then you move your X axis over to obtain the diameter you want. I have a DRO which makes it easier.

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Then I setup to drill the holes for the cotter pins, and done.

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More to come as I go along.
Kenneth

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Very nice!

[Kenneth]

I made a little more progress today. I made the crosshead shaft and the pump rod shaft.
Notice the washer welded on the pump rod shaft. This is what confirmed my mill as being a Red Star/ Red Cross. Clearly shows it on the parts diagram.

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Then I inserted the tailbone casting pivot pins.

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Went ahead and inserted the sheave casting pin and the pin in the tailbone casting.

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I figured that was enough for today

Kenneth

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Man your moving along as quick as a rooster on a June bug. Great work Kenneth.