Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Does anyone know what the numbers are for on this spider? See pic.

It tells the size of the Mill i believe the 8 and 10 are the same. I'm not 100 percent on that being the same.

8’ & 9’ part #

Referring to my trusty 1941 Challenge catalog, which includes a parts list, the parts number for the "nosepiece"(as the Challenge company referred to it) was 4056 for the 8 and 9 foot size; and 4054 for the 10 foot size. So the nosepieces for the 8 and 10 foot size weren't the same.

Challenge did build a special 8 foot size which was essentially a 6 foot gearbox fitted out with an 8 foot wheel and vane. Its easy to spot because the wheel shaft is only 1 inch in diameter (the "real" 8 foot (and 9 foot) wheel shaft was 1 1/8 inches in diameter). The nosepiece number for the lightweight 8 footer is 3636.

Challenge 27

Now I know the tailvane is the same for 8,9, and 10ft mills. Are the sails the same with different wheel and wheel arms?

I believe the blades or "wheel slats" (as the Challenge company referred to them) were the same for all three. The 8 and 9 footers had 18 blades, the 10 footer had 24. All three had six wheel sections.

The 9 footer was essentially an 8 foot wheel stretched out to 9 nine feet wheel diameter; perhaps to give some extra leverage, or as a selling feature. I remember being at one of the trade fairs and a fellow had two or three wheel sections that he was baffled about. Were Challenge, looked almost like an eight foot section, but he remarked they wouldn't fit in his 8 foot wheel. I suggested to him they might be from a nine footer; that would explain why the blades seemed to be a little wider apart, and due to the slightly longer rims they wouldn't fit. I have never seen a complete 9 foot wheel.

The 10 footer had 4 blades per section. Some other windmill companies made their 10 foot wheels using "8 foot" blades, adding one more blade to each section, hence the 24 blade wheel. Apparently Challenge did the same thing. From my observations the 8 and 10 foot blades appear to be the same.
But . . . for some reason the Challenge company, according to my trusty 1941 Challenge catalog, which includes a price list along with its parts list, charged 70 cents for each 8 foot blade, but 80 cents for a 10 foot blade. Oddly, the prices for the inside and outside rims were the same for 8 and 9 footers, even though the 9 foot rims were slightly longer. Also, the price for the section arms or "wheel arms" for the 8 and 9 footer were the same.

I noticed that the price for the 8, 9 and 10 foot vane sheet was the same ($3.25). For a "vane stem--bare" the 10 footer was $4, for the 8 and 9 footers $3.

But that is enough trivia for one night.

Challenge 27

Thanks for the trivia Challenge 27 I'm more of a open gear guy and 602 oil bath mills but when i found my NOS challenge 27 still in the crate I couldn't pass it up. Thanks again!!!

Your are a very fortunate windmiller, Windcatcher530 Dan. A NOS Challenge 27 still in the crate!

Honest confession is good for the soul. What size is your C-27?

Challenge 27

According to the nosepiece number you posted it's a 10 ft and the sticker on the case says equipped with timken bearings.