Total newbie with a Dempster

[sodbuster]

Good Morning.

Jumped in with both feet to windmills. Always admired them and recently bought an open gear Dempster. Trying to learn about it and decide if I can get it to safely operate so the wheel and tail section function properly or simply secure it in such a manner that it does not turn the wheel. Not trying to get it to pump water. Have seen advice from folks on this site and elsewhere that say its best to buy a rebuilt unit if the plan is to make operational.

I have done some research on various sources such as Youtube, National Park Service article, etc. But, I have a lot to learn.

Not the best with technology but need to get some pictures posted for any help that might be available from experts in identifying the model. Reasonably certain it is not the popular Dempster No. 12. It has no bonnet or helmet and does not appear as though it was designed to have one. Thinking it could be an open gear model, maybe a No. 7? One clue is the tail one (still learning proper terminology) has a round rod smaller rod and the larger round that runs the length of the tail section. Tail vane appears to have some visible part of the Dempster lettering . Also, the gear assembly appears considerably larger than the oil bathed models.

If its best to make it inoperable so that it does not self destruct then the next issue is properly securing it in this rocky ground. That is likely a topic for another post.

Appreciate the willingness of the knowledgeable folks on this forum to help!

[NV-WindmillProject]

Welcome onto the forum sodbuster

Upload a photo or two of the windmill to help with identification

[windybob]

Dempster went thru a phase where had a bunch of OG Heads all running together. A picture if you can manage would be helpful.

[mtblah]

Stewart , it appears you have done some homework on your mill .
What part of the great state of Texas do you live in ?
there may be guys close that can help .
Mike B
New Braunfels TX

[sodbuster]

Dempster picture attachment (TEST)

[sodbuster]

Perhaps the pictures will be of some help in identifying this windmill.

I had a detailed post that did not go through, but in brief it is an 8 foot fan/wheel and a 27 to 30 foot tower.

Several websites state that it is not advisable to erect a static windmill as it will eventually self destruct. Probably no budget to rebuild if the static option goes away. Anyway, just looking at options. My hope was to modify the tail assembly so that it directs the fan out of the wind and to fix the fan/wheel assembly so it does not rotate. To my untrained eye, it appears the soft metal bushings along the shaft are shot. Perhaps there are alternative means of modifying it so the wheel is allowed to rotate without turning all the gears?

[sodbuster]

Follow up to Mike-

I am located in the hill country area of Texas, close to Sisterdale. Shallow topsoil then limestone stones and caliche, which brings up the next issue of suitable ways to mount the tower. But that might depend on the static display option.

[windybob]

What numbers are the parts? if it's true to form, the first number of parts may be the model. eg, my #10 dempster part numbers all start with 10.

[CTXmiller]

Looks like a #10

[windybob]

then there should be a number 10 on the part numbers.