Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Starting a thread for my steel star restoration. Over at mtblah's getting the main shafts pressed out. Some paraffin wax came to the rescue.

We also encountered what might be a key that was made from the hardest steel know to man. Several punches and drill bits couldn't even dent it!! Luckily the shaft pressed out anyway.

Mike thankyou for helping that young man with his project!!!

This is the full inventory of what I have for the mill. I have most of the important stuff but there is a few things missing. Hopefully I can find and piece it back together as I go.

Shafts are easy. Most are standard sized. Worn cast can be welded / brazed. Babbitt can be repoured, brass re-made or bought in standard sizes and fitted to the purpose. Missing parts should be able to be found. All you need now, is the nerve, and the patience.

Windy , one of the 1st things you taught me was ALL rotating shafts are standard today same as 100 years ago , nothing special . Thomas learned that today . Trying to share lessons learned fron the windmill masters on this web site .
we worked a couple of hours removing shafts from gears , successful .
next time maybe pour some babbitt . another lesson another time .
Also took him to my favorite machine shop & introduced him to these perfectionest machinests , who like windmills !
Mike B

Not sure about the ALL thingy. Maybe I don't quite get what you mean. But for the most part, if you have a 1 inch shaft from back then, a new one should still fit in the part the same.

Looking good!

looking good, keep us posted on your progess!!

Thanks everyone! And especially thanks to Mike! I learned a few things and probably will learn some more soon. Hopefully I'll be pouring new babbitt soon. I played with the old babbitt a bit when I was melting it out last week and it seems like fun stuff to use! I wonder what would be the best was to go about getting a replacement tail?