Lubricating Materials

– The Mill machinery is still lubricated with the natural products available at the time when the Mill was operating on the Welgelegen farm. Traditional Beeswax – for cogs of brake-wheel and staves of lantern pinion. Sunflower oil (or other oil of vegetable origin) – for the footstep bearing (thrust bearing of the “runner stone”). Fat or lard (of animal origin) – for neck and tail bearings of the windshaft, iron pintle at top of vertical shaft and for the curb-ring on which the cap rotates. Graphite – used with the fat/lard to lubricate the curb-ring.

Lubrication

Neck and Tail bearings of windshaft – Animal fat (lard) is used. The neck bearing has a lube-box that continuously applies a thin film of lard to the bearing surface. As the shaft turns the temperature will rise, assisting the spread of the lard.

The Tail bearing is also a thrust bearing, so the bearing surface and the end of the shaft are lubricated with lard.

Cogs of brake-wheel and staves of lantern pinion – These are coated on their working sides with beeswax.

Curb ring – There are two wooden rings at Mostert’s Mill. The outer one (curb ring) is fixed to the top of the circular wall and supports the cap (thatched roof), sails, windshaft and brake wheel.

The cap and all related structures are secured to the inner ring which rotates on and within the outer. The surface of the curb ring (outer) is lubricated with lard and graphite.

Footstep Bearing – The lower-end of the Stone spindle below the millstones, rests on a hemisphere of iron in the hollow footstep bearing located on the bridge-tree. This footstep bearing is filled with sunflower oil ( called “Wonder Olie” by the Dutch millers).