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Hello from central Texas
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2023 9:27 pm
by TdcJD
Hello everyone! New here. An antique windmill is something I had been kicking around getting for a few years now. Well I just stumbled upon a 1898 8ft Flint and Walling Steel Star back gear. It needs a bit of work and a new tail and wheel, but is a mostly complete head. Then in a ridiculous turn of events, I was showing my neighbor the windmill when he tells me he has had one laying in his yard this whole time and I was welcome to just have it. I can't believe I never noticed it especially since the tail nailed to the fence right above the head. It's a Dempster, but don't know the model as I haven't dug it out yet.
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:29 am
by CTXmiller
Welcome to the forum.
Dan Benjamin makes wheels and vanes for just about any windmill.
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:09 am
by Kenneth
Welcome to the forum. Check out Projects. I am restoring an 8' Red Cross which is a clone of the Steel Star. Also Mark is restoring an 8' Steel Star and has a thread in Projects. If you have any questions, please chime in and we can help you.
Kenneth
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:12 am
by PaulV
Welcome Thomas. Nice F&W. Lots of helpful folks here so share your restoration adventure.
We looked for our first mill for a couple of years. Found three different mills in one week within 10 miles of us. You never know when and where they will turn up.
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:50 am
by mtblah
Thomas , welcome aboard , some of us have a little experience with open gear windmills ,
if you need help pouring babbitt for new bearing I can help you in the process .
I have been keeping an eye on a neighbors F & W open gear for several years now , just waiting for it to fall over , easier to retrive the head .
Mike Blahnik
New Braunfels TX
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 11:01 am
by TdcJD
Thanks for the welcomes! I'll wait on the wheel and tail until I get the head all back together. Two things I'm missing is one of the pullout pitmans and the brake shoe, so will have to figure something out there. The shafts also have some good rust pitting on then aswell.
And yes Mike I would definitely need help with babbitts as I haven't done that before. I'm only about 15 minutes from New Braunfels.
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 11:38 am
by mtblah
I'm here to help .
Mike B
Re: Hello from central Texas
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 1:51 pm
by rockingjl
Welcome to VWM