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At Sanborn Mills Farm, preserving the past and planning for the future go hand in hand! March 2017 eNews 
It’s all about the apolitical transfer of power . . .
Harnessing water power involves transferring the pressure of falling water as it passes through a turbine or over a water wheel to a series of gears attached to shafts at right angles to each other. Pulleys on parallel shafts connected by straps (or belts) can also transfer power (and change the speed of rotation). In this way a water wheel turning at ten revolutions per minute (rpm) can be “geared up” to run a millstone running at 100 rpm. Millwright Brian Clough is working out how to power the antique corn cracker at the grist mill by making a new shaft and wooden gears that will be driven by the water wheel shaft. According to Brian the shaft is octagonal because it provides faces to measure off and the facets make it easier to make the minute adjustments needed to have the whole gear system operate smoothly. We’ll keep you posted with more images as the project proceeds.
Everything should be in working order by our annual Open House & Water Powered Mill Demonstration Day June 18.
Mid 1800s corn cracker.
Octagonal shaft made by Brian Clough.
A photo post card . . . .
Artist Bob Braun was at the farm in February to work on some paintings for our new entryway and while here captured a couple of memorable images of our oxen team and the Blacksmith Teaching Studio.
Bob is a scene painter out of New York City and has adorned the walls of the Great Room. Among his many interests is painting historic barns with hierloom animal breeds.
The Blacksmithing Teaching Studio nestled in snow.
Mike & Jake enjoying the afternoon sun.
Why are the legs on you favorite chair loose?
You may have noticed that chairs and doors loosen up through the winter. From season to season, the humidity in the air can change drastically, from a low of 46% in the winter to a high of 90% in the summer. For those of us who heat with wood, the inside of a house gets even dryer. Lots of things respond to humidity by expanding and contracting and wood is one of them. That’s why you may find your favorite Windsor chair or table gets loose and even a little wobbly in the winter. Doors that move freely in the winter can get stuck in the summer. Our carpenters suggest that if you are building something in the winter, factor in the humidity!
Windsor Chair by Roger W. Scheffer, Strawhill Chairs
What’s new at the Blacksmith Teaching Studio ?
In preparation for the 2017 workshop season, we have cleared out “Bernice’s Garage” and are converting it to a space for grinders and welding. We’ve raised the ceiling, lined the walls in metal sheeting and have added a back door.
When workshops commence April 7, the studio itself will have some expanded surfaces for laying out projects and more space to move around. We just added a brand new Blacksmithing Basics workshop May 26, 27 & 28. Click here if you are interested.
Jake, Ray & Brian putting up metal sheeting in Benice’s Garage.
Mid 1800s corn cracker.
Octagonal shaft made by Brian Clough.
Mike & Jake enjoying the afternoon sun.
Windsor Chair by Roger W. Scheffer, Strawhill Chairs
Jake, Ray & Brian putting up metal sheeting in Benice’s Garage.
Sanborn Mills Inc. | 603-435-7314 |
A traditional New Hampshire farm and nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability, creativity, and preserving folklife skills and agricultural knowledge so that the best of the past can help shape our future.
Mid 1800s corn cracker.
Octagonal shaft made by Brian Clough.
Mike & Jake enjoying the afternoon sun.
Windsor Chair by Roger W. Scheffer, Strawhill Chairs
Jake, Ray & Brian putting up metal sheeting in Benice’s Garage.
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Mid 1800s corn cracker.
Octagonal shaft made by Brian Clough.
Mike & Jake enjoying the afternoon sun.
Windsor Chair by Roger W. Scheffer, Strawhill Chairs
Jake, Ray & Brian putting up metal sheeting in Benice’s Garage. |
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