Miscellaneous

A day at saw mill ‘Het Jonge Schaap’

A series of active wind powered sawmills in the Netherlands
A series of active wind powered sawmills
This particular mill is named 'Het Jonge Schaap' (The Young Sheep).
This particular mill is named ‘Het Jonge Schaap’ (The Young Sheep).
A look inside the mill. A log is waiting to be sawn into boards on the sled next to the support beam.
A look inside the mill. A log is waiting to be sawn into boards on the sled next to the support beam.
Inside the mill's cap. While the rest of the structure is stationary, the cap can be turned into the wind when needed. The sails are affixed to the cast iron axle and drive the giant 'brake wheel'. Its name is derived from the curved wooden pieces around the wheel that act as a brake.
Inside the mill’s cap. While the rest of the structure is stationary, the cap can be turned into the wind when needed. The sails are affixed to the cast iron axle and drive the giant ‘brake wheel’. Its name is derived from the curved wooden pieces around the wheel that act as a brake.
The brake is operated by a giant lever which weight constricts the wooden blocks against the wheel. This lever is operated by the long stick you see coming out the back of the cap on previous pictures.
The brake is operated by a giant lever which weight constricts the wooden blocks against the wheel. This lever is operated by the long stick you see coming out the back of the cap on previous pictures.
The transmission from the brake wheel to the main shaft is with 2:1 quite low for a windmill. This is needed because of the enormous mass of the machinery that has to be kept in motion.
The transmission from the brake wheel to the main shaft is with 2:1 quite low for a windmill. This is needed because of the enormous mass of the machinery that has to be kept in motion.
A floor below lies the crankshaft. Here the rotating motion of the axle is transformed into a piston like motion for the saws
A floor below lies the crankshaft. Here the rotating motion of the axle is transformed into a piston like motion for the saws
The saw pistons have levers attached to them to drive various other machinery below.
The saw pistons have levers attached to them to drive various other machinery below.
Sails partially unfurled waiting for the wind
Sails partially unfurled waiting for the wind
The log to be sawn is affixed to a wooden sled. Which each upward motion of the saw it is pushed 1 mm into the saw blades.
The log to be sawn is affixed to a wooden sled. Which each upward motion of the saw it is pushed 1 mm into the saw blades.
The adjustable saws work through the logs by about 2.5 meter per hour. A tremendous increase in productivity compared to manual labor.
The adjustable saws work through the logs by about 2.5 meter per hour. A tremendous increase in productivity compared to manual labor.
The sled is also moved by wind power. With each upwards movement of the saw an iron claw grabs the toothed wheel and turns it a bit.
The sled is also moved by wind power. With each upwards movement of the saw an iron claw grabs the toothed wheel and turns it a bit.
Some of the boards produced by the mill
Some of the boards produced by the mill

 

Found on Imgur