[Gristmillers] Need top for pillow block Mill SN: 3287 - 16" Meadow Mills

[Woody Malot]

Faber, It is a rigged way to go, but we have used it for a number of years
of regular grinding, Take a block of wood ( I use Yellow  Poplar ) (there
has been some discussion around here by the old timers about what is better
for the job, hard wood or soft wood)  and make your top from it.  Just bore
an 1.75 inch hole in it and then cut in half.  you can then line it up with
the other bolts and mark the holes as needed.  You can also tighten it down
as it wears.  I bored a quarter inch hole in mine just above the shaft and
put 90 weight gear oil in it as needed for lube.  The wood seems to do a
good job of becoming saturated with oil and then keeping the shaft from
wearing on the babbit below.
Woody

2009/3/21 Faber McMullen <faber at mssblue.net>

> Joe:
> Thanks for the info.  I may definitely need a piece made.  I think I could
> fairly easily make the outside profile of one out of wood, but I would have
> trouble getting the
> inside part where the shaft goes smooth and a true radius.  I could maybe
> have it flat and explain to the machinist that it will couple to a 1.3/4"
> shaft and they
> could put the radius in a casting.  If someone on the list has one they
> could loan us to use as a pattern for a casting that would be 50X easier.
>
> Concerning a rebuild, I would love to have come to your place, but I wasn't
> sure folks who would come would have as much knowledge as John Baily as
> everyone on the forum kept directing me to him.  I learned a lot in the
> several hours we spent together.
> He mentioned he'd never been to your place, and we talked about the idea of
>  once I've done this rebuild we could go up there and have a working seminar
> and show folks what all we've learned.  I'm going to look for another mill
> that we could redo and I could perhaps donate it to a cultural museum that
> we're
> wanting to build here in Navasota.  I could bring it to Starr Homeplace and
> we could do a weekend seminar.  Once I've done it, I will understand what we
> need to have to make it happen in a 2-3 day period to give people the
> satisfaction of seeing one happen completely.
>
> On this part, let's wait a day or so and see if anyone has an extra part to
> sell me or for me to make a casting from.  Thanks again for your offer to
> come
> to Starr Homeplace.  I look forward to meeting you in the future.
>
> Kindest Regards,
> Faber
>
>
>
>   On Mar 21, 2009, at 2:54 PM, cen66133 at centurytel.net wrote:
>
>   Faber,
> One other alternative is to borrow the piece and have one cast at a small
> job foundry - not as expensive as you might think, though it will probably
> require some machine shop work too.  We had a rocker arm cast for an engine
> for $30.00.  The freight for shipping the original to and from Oregon was
> more than the cost of having the casting done.  I have friends who know of a
> foundry doing that kind of work in Mobile.  We will eventually be able to do
> it here. You can also carve an original of wood - or make one of pyroclastic
> clay (fimo) though this shrinks.  Really doesn't take long to carve one of
> wood using a side grinder , band saw, etc.
> We have a machinist who will probably be here working at our blacksmiths
> hammer in - but ultimately - you are better off having all the pieces parts
> and workmen in the same place.
>
> Later,
> Joe Rolfe
> Starr Homeplace
>
> P.S.
> Sorry I couldn't get up a crew to do your rebuild for you - it would have
> been a lot of fun.  Everyone is stuck in their own ruts I guess -- including
> me.  All are still, and will always be, welcome here.
> www.StarrHomeplace.org<http://www.starrhomeplace.org/pandemoniafoundation/index.htm>
> <http://www.starrhomeplace.org/pandemoniafoundation/index.htm>
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