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Grindstone: Sandstone Wheel on a Cranked Axle with a Treadle
A grindstone is a sandstone wheel spun on its axle to sharpen metal tools, used wet. Medieval ones were turned by a crank; by about 1480 a treadle was added so one person could pedal and grind. Shape the stone, wedge it on an iron axle with a crank, and mount it over a water trough in a wooden frame with a treadle.
The picture: a treadle grindstone on an iron stand, from Cassell's Carpentry.
Advanced
Several days
Instructions
1
1
Shape the stone
Shape the stone
Scribe a circle on an even-grained sandstone slab, about 50 cm across and 7 cm thick (our size). Peck and chisel it round, then cut a square hole in the centre.
Materials for this step:
Sandstone Slab1 pieceTools needed:
Dividers
Hammerstone
Stone Chisel Set
Stone Mason's Mallet
Safety Glasses
Dust Mask2
2
Forge the axle and crank
Forge the axle and crank
Forge a square-sectioned axle to pass through the hole, round at both ends for the bearings, and bend a crank at one end with a hole for the treadle rod.
Materials for this step:
Wrought Iron Bar2 pieces
Charcoal4 as requiredTools needed:
Blacksmith Forge
Anvil
Cross Peen Hammer
Blacksmith Tongs3
3
Wedge and true the stone
Wedge and true the stone
Centre the stone on the axle and drive hardwood wedges round the square part from both sides until it runs without wobble. Turn it and dress the rim true against a fixed iron.
Materials for this step:
Hardwood Strip1 pieceTools needed:
Stone Mason's MalletStone Chisel Set4
4
Frame, trough and treadle
Frame, trough and treadle
Build an oak frame with notched bearings for the axle, a plank trough below the stone to hold water, and a treadle hinged at the back joined to the crank by a rod.
Materials for this step:
Hardwood Plank3 pieces
Iron Nails30 piecesTools needed:
Hand Saw
Mortise Chisel
Hand DrillCross Peen Hammer5
5
Surface speed
Surface speed
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Materials
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Tools Required
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