Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

I forgot which type oil seal you had, the felt seal, or the full circle rubber seal. I think you have the felt seal. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you have the oil spiral (cast iron) put it on the shaft and pin it in place like it was before. Then put on the heavy spring, and the bearing cone, then I think the thick washer that's too small for the shaft. Either drive it on, or heat it to swell it. It needs to compress the spring down to original compression point, where you should be able to see on the shaft. The problem with heating that interferance-fit washer is that you need to compress the spring and hold it while the washer cools and shrinks, or put water on it. If you press the washer on, it should stay in compression.

Then you can insert the shaft, and start installing gears, spacers, bearings, keys, and the other items. Save the hub for much later.

Where do I begin ? attached photos show how I dissembled my 10 ft Dempster fan shaft , bearings , race's , & small drive gears .
Windy & Michael , hav e I told you how much I dislike this Dempster ? I learned some new 4 letter words & bloody knuckles .

What did you do, buy a basket case? lol

Normal answer would be to reverse what you did to get it apart. Maybe not in this instance?

I've only seen two Dempster's here in NY and thought about seeing if I could purchase them but thanks to you guys you saved me from a lot of pain and windmill stress .

Everyone needs at least one. The good thing about them, if you can understand everything about their design, you can work on anything.

I don't think they are really all that bad.

Congratulations on the progress. I understand your frustration.

Thanks to JJ for documenting the rebuilding of his 10 ft'r , and professer Windy for the many lessons about dissembly & assmbly to this "thing " and Paul V for hosting this whole platform ! I couldnt have gotten this far without all the real windmiller's help .
Mike B
New Braunfels TX

how are you doing so far Mike? Did you get everything cleaned up? Making a list of parts needed?

Today i learned ........ the cast iron spirel oil mover has 3 pins holding it in , took out 2 and wondered why it wouldnt move , dah
and the bearing is made by Timkin , #2580
not cleaning anything yet , just planning what materials I need , such as , 1 1/4 cold rolled then on to the machine shop for keyway cut and both ends threaded .
Mike B
New Braunfels TX

Good for you Mike. 8 fts have 2 pins. I have never had a 10 ft, so that's news to me. I would imagine that's not the only difference.