Millstone Dressing

The original millstones (4 sets) were probably removed in the 1950s when Burton Mill became a saw mill. The present set of 36″ French Burr stones were installed in 1979 and came from a derelict mill in Wales. These stones are mounted on a concrete upstand as the building is now too weak to support stones as they were originally arranged on the first floor. Drive comes from the main line shaft via a 10m belt. Arrangement of the bevel drive with a view of the underside of the bed stone. The dilapidated flour grader is seen on the left.

Top view of the bed stone with the damsel resting on the mace

The centre or eye of the bed stone. This has been assembled incorrectly leaving a large gap for grain to penetrate the bearing and a deep pit where grain would sit.

The stones are badly worn and have been run out of balance leaving regions of polished stone

View of the underside of bed stone. The spindle is located in the bed stone by two brass bearings (fitted from above) and one hardwood wedge. The wedge is held in place by the string so it can be removed for greasing the bearings. Normally the drive force presses the spindle against the brass bearings but the bed stone seems to have be misplaced so that some force will be borne by the wooden wedge. As the stones have run in this configuration for a few years I have not attempted to correct the position of the wedge.

View of the underside of bed stone. The spindle is located in the bed stone by two brass bearings (fitted from above) and one hardwood wedge. The wedge is held in place by the string so it can be removed for greasing the bearings. Normally the drive force presses the spindle against the brass bearings but the bed stone seems to have be misplaced so that some force will be borne by the wooden wedge. As the stones have run in this configuration for a few years I have not attempted to correct the position of the wedge.

David Plunkett begins dressing the bedstone by first checking for surface unevenness

New skirt in place. Previously the flour accumulated on the rough wedges and the metal frame. Only once the gaps were filled would flour start to find its way to the outlet and drop down passed the rusty bedstone hoops to a chute below. The new skirt will prevent the accumulation of flour and provide a smooth surface for the flour to be blown around to the new stainless steel chute. It is designed to be completely mouse proof!

Bevel drive gears with runner stone height adjuster (red wheel). The stones were installed in 1979 by Charlie Muddle (from the inscription)

Main thrust bearing. Four bolts centre the bearing relative to the bed stone to align the spindle vertically.

Driven bevel gear lifted clear of the bearing

Bearing cup with the positioner