Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-21
A CHEAP WINDMILL.

description of it was turned over to the pub
lie and then others made mills on our plan,
and all were satisfied. There is no patent
on the invention.
Almost any person a little handy with
tools may do the greater portion of his work
in the construction of this windmill, which
he will find entirely adapted to lifting water
streams, for use on the the farm. The first
necessity is the wind wheel, of course.
This may be made of half-inch boards and a
few 2x3 inch scantlings for arms. The shape
in which to construct a wheel so as to have
the wind act upon it need not engage our
attention here, as almost every boy under
stands how to set the blades of wind
wheel with an angle, so as to make it work.
He has learned this while making his toy
wind-nills, and our wind wheel is to be
made on precisely the same principle. 1t
may be made with four blades, six blades,
or eight blades, Just as the builder pleases.
The size of the wheel must be settled
upon by a knowledge of the power needed.
If we desire to draw large quantity of
water from somewhat deep well, or to a
considerable height above some stream, and
do not have regular wind supply of con-
siderable force, the wheel must be made
larger than would otherwise be necessary.
A wheel twelve feet In diameter will usu-
ally do good work. How to attach the arms
to the main shaft, and how to brace them,
and how to nail on the boards of the blades,
can be left to the ingenuity of the builders.
The main thing is to have the wheel strong,
so as to be capable of withstanding any
kind of wind that might happen to blow.
We use no governor. such as the fancy mills
have, but make everything strong, and Just
s'let her rip when a strong wind cores.
Having our wheel constructed we rig it
in frame work to which is affixed blade
or tail for holding the wheel to the wind,
on the plan of the boys toy windmill. We
next set strong wooden upright or shaft
into the well to turn in a bearing or ''ink''
at the bottom, and to reach above the sur
face of the ground sufficiently to let the
wheel work clear when rugged upon it. The
frame work containing the wheel and its
shaft is fixed securely to the upper end of
this upright, which is securely stayed at
the top of the well, but so as to admit of its
turning freely. 1t will have to be stayed
to collar or wheel fastened securely to the
upright and measuring say three feet in di-
ameter. This will fit into a circular bear
ing, and being kept well oiled will work
around almost as freely as if the stay came
directly against the upright. Why this
collar is necessary will appear presently.
Our mill is now complete. The wheel be-
ing swung clear of the ground is revolved
by wind, the tail holding it into position,
changing it as the wind shifts and turning
the upright in the well as it does so.
The water-drawing apparatus is simply
belt or double chain passing over a small
drum on the shaft of the wheel, down
through an opening in the collar before
named, and reaching to the bottom of the
well, passing over a pully in the water,
securely affixed to the side eff the revolving
upright A narrow rubber belt suited to
this purpose may be had at almost any ma
chinery supplying store, and we consider
to get turned wrong.
Upon this belt lot of small fat cups are
set so is to dip the water as the wheel
turns, carry it up on the plan OF grain ell
evator in a mill and pour it out at the wheel
shaft as they turn over TO start downward
bottom upwards. They may be made of tin
by any tinsmith. A conductor under the
shaft catches the water and runs it out to
the receptacle that we have prepared for it.
This last may be circular box or
rough "a short distance below the wheel
,haft) with discharge pipe reaching be-
yond the circuit of the wind-wheel The
conductor into which the water falls from |
he cups will run parallel with the shaft, |
md change position with the machinery, |
out the circular box may be stationary.
The tin cups on the belt may be set by |
means of hooks, thus enabling US to remove |
i portion of them and draw less water in |
lines of light wind, or add to the drawing |
capacity when the winds are strong. Three
inches is wide enough for the belt.
We'suppose the reader now understands |
he turning upright extendidg to the bottom |
If the well, and the collar around it at the
op of the well working whiting circular
,earing of its own size. 1t is to prevent
hat winding up of the belt which would
esult, did the pulley at the bottom of the
veil not change position with the motion
# the machinery above.
Mills constructed on this plan are work
ng successfully in many parts OF the
ounty. They would, we are sure be the
cry thing for many sections of Texas
There wells are easily had. They are sup
osed to work best in comparatively shall
,w wells, though they will draw water
rom wells 100 feet in depth. The deeper
be well the longer belt it would be neces-
airy TO buy, and the further apart it would
e necessary to set the cups The cups
eing wider apart less water would be lifted
rom a deep well than from shallow one,
course.
THAT ROSE FUNGUS AGAIN.
DR. William r. Howard of Fort Worth,