Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

We had to pull down our Axtel A model earlier this year. It started leaking all the oil out, the furling system broke and the gearbox started leaning on the tower. Finally got around to starting the teardown this weekend and get it out of the weather.

We didn't rebuild this one but the biggest question is the tower cap, from the few pictures I've seen it's not a original axtel tower cap just not sure what it's from and retrofitted to work. Would love to find a original model A tower cap but know thats like a needle in a hay stack.

Hopefully going to have this one sorted by spring when the crane comes back to put 4 other mills up we have ready to go, fingers crossed.

The tower cap might be from a Fairbanks Morse. I can share photos of what my Axtell tower turntables look like, but they are different Axtell Ever Oiled models and bigger.

You mind sharing the SN and build year on your Axtell? I can’t read them on the plate. Thanks

Attached are photos of two Axtell turntables I had on my phone.

Both are similar to that of the Baker Monitor ball bearing turntables as FW Axtell also sold Baker Monitor windmills.

CTXmiller wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:30 pm The tower cap might be from a Fairbanks Morse. I can share photos of what my Axtell tower turntables look like, but they are different Axtell Ever Oiled models and bigger.

You mind sharing the SN and build year on your Axtell? I can’t read them on the plate. Thanks

Yes I'll make a note and grab the SN off the mill next time I'm at the ranch.

Thanks for the turntable pictures that helps to know it's not a axtel turntable, but something else and now to track down what it is and if all the parts are there because it sure seems to be missing something.

I think the turntable is from a Fairbanks Morse Steel. I saw a Fairbanks Morse one just like it on eBay, but no Axtell parts on eBay.

CTXmiller wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 7:34 pm I think the turntable is from a Fairbanks Morse Steel. I saw a Fairbanks Morse one just like it on eBay, but no Axtell parts on eBay.

I found the one your talking about your right looks identical, it's what it came with when it was pulled out of the woods which makes you wonder when it was switched and how long it ran with that combination. When it's up it just doesn't look right but if it works maybe I'll keep it that way.

Yes that is a early F.M. Tower Cap, pretty sure.

I looked through my Axtell literature and I don’t have anything on the model A. I recall in correspondence with T. Lindsay Baker that he relayed that he “never, not once in 40yrs ever saw an Axtell Ever Oiled parts diagram”…trying to paraphrase.

I wonder if a turntable for a Baker Monitor WC would be a more close fit, assuming the mast pipe is the same diameter.

Either that, or a Dempster turntable setup. I think on mine I used a Dempster. Next time I get down there, I'll take a look.

CTXmiller wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:30 pm The tower cap might be from a Fairbanks Morse. I can share photos of what my Axtell tower turntables look like, but they are different Axtell Ever Oiled models and bigger.

You mind sharing the SN and build year on your Axtell? I can’t read them on the plate. Thanks

Here is the serial number plate.