F&W Steel Star

[Kenneth]

I worked on the Star today. I removed the pipe from the main casting. This is 2" pipe.
I got a small mirror in through the top and noticed it had threads. I heated it up a little then used a pipe wrench and a rawhide hammer. Second blow it turned. Standard 2" pipe thread. See pic.

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Then the 2 tail casting pins were worn, so I removed them. These are pressed in and pinged over on the bottom. I ground the bottom of the pins with a flap disc and drove them out. They are 3/4" turned down to 5/8 to press in the main casting.

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Will post more as I go along.

Kenneth

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Kenneth you should document all this for future reference I do that with my mills. It's like a windmill diary for old farts.

[Kenneth]

Dan, I am taking notes as I go along. I am also making drawings of the shafts for future reference. I agree with diary for old farts.

[windybob]

You guys speak for yourselves. lol

[Kenneth]

I was looking at my parts today and something wasn't adding up. The part numbers on the parts list I have all start with AO. All my part numbers start with B, then the part number, and some are followed by an N. See pics.
After some digging in the bible, I found where Red Cross made a duplicate to the Star. An ex employee of F&W
worked for the company and copied the Original Star and the Steel Star. So I believe I have a Red Cross. My apologies if I misled anyone on how to disassemble a Steel Star. They may be the same, but I can't confirm that. Anyway I needed to get that out and let you guys know.

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[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Kenneth could it maybe be a star # 7 i believe they were almost the same mill with miner changes?

[Kenneth]

Dan, every part visually matches the Steel Star.
I would like to see a parts diagram for the Star 7 to confirm.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Does the part# on the pinion gear match the parts list also is the pinion gear cast iron or steel.

[Kenneth]

The pinion gear is cast and has B21.
I will confirm that tomorrow

[Terry]

I added a parts list in the windmill literature section.
I have a 1905 catalog but it is to large to add here.
There is also a good article in the Winter 2000 Windmillers' Gazette It has a parts list also.