Softback, 297 mm x 210 mm (A4), 202 pages, profusely illustrated with drawings and photographs in colour.
This latest book in the Bibliotheca Molinologica series concentrates on one mill located near Muscatine, a town on the west bank of the River Mississippi in the mid-western state of Iowa in the USA. When the Pine Creek Mill was first established in the 1830s by Benjamin Nye the River Mississippi was the frontier between the infant United States and Indian Territory. The mill’s history is traced using documents, eye witness accounts, and evidence from the mill building itself. This history runs from first using the American flat milling technique, as described and patented by Oliver Evans, which was powered by a waterwheel, through the various modifications and alterations that were necessary during the remainder of the 19th century for the mill to remain competitive. The lives of people involved with the mill during its operation are also highlighted, from Benjamin Nye’s family problems that led to his violent death, to the near fatal great flood of 1883, and the emigration to a new life in the USA of an East Prussian miller. Fortunately the mill stopped operating just as the land around the mill became the Wild Cat Den State Park which helped preserve the mill until its recent restoration and opening to the public in the last 20 years by the Friends of Pine Creek Grist Mill.
The mill buildings and both prime movers, the water turbine and steam engine, are described as are the three processes that were installed in 1890, namely three stands of double roller mills for the production of flour from wheat with their associated cleaners, scourers and separators as well as the middlings purifier and various types of bolters. Another roller mill with three rolls, used for the corn (maize) process with all its associated ancillary machines, as well as the use of a single three feet diameter pair of millstone for producing animal feed, are also explained.
Very often those involved in the practical aspects of restoration are not interested in writing about their experiences and so valuable information often has to be learnt again on any subsequent restoration project. However, the restoration of Pine Creek Mill has been recorded from the beginning by the restorers themselves. This information has been not been used to give a blow by blow account of the actual restoration of the mill, but to explain the problems that can be encountered during restoration and to describe in detail the solutions that have been proved to be successful (even to listing the contact information for the sources of materials and services that have been used).
The restoration section of the book starts with a statement of the aims of the project and an explanation of its philosophy which lies behind all the difficult decisions that have to be made on such a project. This is followed by an outline of the management of such a project and a description of all the other aspects and activities that are necessary for the successful outcome of any restoration project. Given the nature of Pine Creek Mill there are comprehensive details of the problems associated with belt drives, shafts, bearings, chutes and elevators, and practical advice about how to repair, set up and maintain these essential parts of a 19th century mill. One of the major projects undertaken by the Friends of Pine Creek Mill was the restoration of the steam engine. Their approach and the techniques involved are fully described as they are relevant to the restoration of any complex machinery not just steam engines.
At the end of the day any restored mill has to be operated easily and safely in order to attract the interest and support of the public. For various reasons this has meant the use of electric motors to drive parts of the plant in the mill. This subject is de-mystified with explanations of the factors to be considered and recommendations on viable solutions. Once a mill is operational the use of the millstones and their maintenance becomes crucial, their basic installation and dressing are described together with balance the runner stone (both statically and dynamically) and the various issues around producing usable flour examined
Often molinologists are criticised by historians and archaeologists for not developing suitable dating methods for mills and mill machinery. This criticism is addressed by outlining the development of criteria for the dating machinery in the mill. Although these criteria have been developed in the context of a 19th century mid-western American mill, their approach and methods can be used with benefit at mills around the world.
This book gives an in-depth look at the practical aspects of mill restoration, its problems and possible solutions in a way that will give confidence to any team contemplating undertaking such a project no matter how large or small.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The History of Pine Creek Mill
Benjamin Nye, Pioneer Iowa Settler
Benjamin Nye’s First Mill
Benjamin Nye’s First Grist Mill
Nye’s New Mill of 1850 – American Flat Milling
Benjamin Nye’s Death
New Owners
Beesley & Huchendorf – New Process Milling
The Great Flood of 1883
Herman Huchendorf – Roller Milling
The Missel Family at Pine Mills
Wildcat Den State Park and a New Beginning
Chapter 2: A Description of Pine Creek Mill
The Mill Building
Water Power at the Mill
Steam Power at the Mill
The Millstone Plant of 1890
The Corn Milling Plant of 1890
The Wheat Milling Plant of 1890
Chapter 3: The Restoration Philosophy and Management at Pine Creek Mill
Organization and Support
Funding
Safety
Practical Support - Tools & Supplies
Communications & Promotion
Websites & Social Networking,
Newspapers,
Radio & TV
Documentation of the Site & Record Keeping
Chapter 4: Auxiliary Electrical Power for Pine Creek Mill
Chapter 5: Basic Bearing Technology and Restoration
Wooden Bearings
Babbitt Alloy Bearings
Split Brass Bearings
Thrust Bearings
Turbine Bearings
Modern Self-aligning Ball Bearings
Line Shaft Alignment
Lubrication
Automatic Oilers
Chapter 6: Flat Belt Power Transmission
Flat Belts and Pulleys
Belt Tracking
The Belt with only One Side
Idlers
Transmitting Power through a 90 Degree Angle
Belt Splicing
Power Transmission Rules
Elevator Belts used for Power Transmission
Ancillary use of Belts
Chain Power Transmission
Chapter 7: Grist Chute Construction and Restoration
Chute Fabrication
Chutes and the Angle of Repose
Gates
Bagging Stations
Wickets
Chute Installation - Those Troublesome Angles
Chapter 8: Bucket Elevator Restoration
Slanting Leg Elevators
True Vertical Elevators
Elevator Boot and Leg Restoration
Elevator Buckets (cups) & Belting
Fabricating New Elevator Pulleys
Installing New Elevator Belts
Chapter 9: Steam Engine Restoration
Initial Condition and Restoration Goal
Preparation and Documentation
Disassembling the Engine
Replacing the Wooden Support Beams
Sandblasting and Painting
Repairing and Making New Parts
Alignment of the Engine during Assembly
Re-assembling the Steam Engine
Putting the Restored Steam Engine into Motion,
Feasibility Testing,
Design Decisions
Implementation
A Separate Motor for the Steam Engine
Chapter 10: Millstone Maintenance
Basic Steps
The Support Structure (hurst frame)
Leveling the Bedstone
Checking the Drive Shaft Tram
Millstone Dressing
Tools
First Steps
Painting the Millstone
Dressing the Stones
Balancing the Runner Stone
The Runner Stone Bail
The Grist Sweep
Flour Milling Issues
Chapter 11: Dating Methods
Gudgeons & Bearings
Dating Machinery with Nails
Threaded Fasteners
Mortise & Tenon Mounts
Dating by Research
Dating by Dendrochronology (Tree Ring Dating)
Bibliography & Index