Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Hi everyone, I noticed the letters SSUER stamped on the shaft in front of the hub, is this a date code or something?

This is a 502 with the spring buffers cast on the case. Why does it already have those bumps where the 602 buffer would hit? Are all 502 like that?
Peter

My theory about the end of the shaft being stamped is the hub was changed at one time my transition Bell Hub shaft is stamped also. Don't know about the bumper pads.Nice find Peter.!!!

Dan, I have had this mill since 2010, I was able to buy it at a local auction. I only cleaned it and put it back together. All the bearings were good, I got the tail from Chuck Jones at the trade fair in 2013. All that is mising is the oil flipper, it's broken off. The platform is also original, it has lettering underneath that says: Merkley Chesterville Ont. That was the local Blacksmith here in town back then. I think that's pretty cool

That is really cool Peter,i don't believe there's to many of those around. I picked up a early 602 that has all 502 guts even the oil flipper in good condition. Didn't need new bearings poured either.

The 502 was a one-year-wonder. 1915. They had a different pullout and tail bumper. Those and the early 602's had an oiling issue, if they turned backwards, it bent or broke the flipper. No oil for the topside after that. Also, very early 602 mills had the date stamped on the end of the shaft. Most companies would use code for dates, still do today on many items. My guess would be code for mfg date, until some smarty-pants engineer said we don't need the code, put the real numbers on it someplace. Maybe the same one that figured out the oiling ring instead of the stovetop flipper. ( or fly swatter, whichever you like.)

Nice mill and that name on the platform is WAY COOL!

Peter,

I thought about your post/photo while in Lubbock today and snapped this photo of a 502 that is there. It lacks those bumps where the buffer would hit.

CTXmiller wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 4:11 pm Peter,

I thought about your post/photo while in Lubbock today and snapped this photo of a 502 that is there. It lacks those bumps where the buffer would hit.

Thanks for taking the picture, interesting that some have the bumps and some don't. Anybody know why?

My guess is the ones with the 602 bumpers were later just before transition.