F&W Steel Star

[Kenneth]

I worked on the mill this morning. Was able to line up on the thread in the walking beam. Drilled it a little under size and ran a 1/2-13tap through it.

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Then I went ahead and melted the old babbitt out. Now there will be a small weld repair on the main frame and the tailbone casting.

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More later.

Kenneth

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

She'll be a beauty when she's done Kenneth. You gotta love those old open gear models,i know i do. They all have their own characteristics.That model your working on is the very first steel windmill they produced.

[Kenneth]

Dan, that is correct. The first all steel windmill in their line up. I love the open gear mills too. You can see all gears working.

Kenneth

[Kenneth]

Worked on the mill again. Made 2 bars with bored holes the distance for the 2 shafts. Here is 1 of the bars. This is 1/2" flat bar. These will be clamped to the main frame to position the shafts for the babbit pour.

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And this is how the bars will be clamped to the main frame.

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Will post more as I go.

Kenneth

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Little babborite and you're set to pour. Nice job Kenneth!!!

[mtblah]

Kenneth , nice serious welding table !
& a clean tidy shop area .

[Mister Ed]

Very nice Kenneth!! I like your spacer idea, so simple but I never thought of it ... LOL.

[Kenneth]

Just thought I would throw this in. I needed a 12" C clamp to clamp the bars l made for the pour. The biggest one I had access to was 10". It belongs to my Dad. I was telling him what I needed, and he told me to take that one and do whatever you have to to make it work. So I had some 3/8" flat bar laying around so I made an extension if you will, for the 10" clamp. Now I can use it for a 10" clamp or a 12" clamp. As as note, a 12" C clamp costs in the $100 range. See pics.

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Kenneth

[mtblah]

necessity is the mother of invention , good thinking , thanks guys for always giving me additional ideas !

[Smax]

Great job Kenneth love those open gear mills