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Spring-Return Rocking Churn: Springs Under Each End Lift the Low One Back
Daniel F. Hitt, Galena, Illinois · Public domain (expired patent)
Karen

Created by

Karen

6. October 2026SE
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Spring-Return Rocking Churn: Springs Under Each End Lift the Low One Back

In a rocking churn the cream runs from end to end, and its weight makes each return stroke hard work. Daniel F. Hitt of Galena, Illinois, received US 2,800, dated 7 October 1842, for a churn whose body rocks on gudgeons at its middle, with a spring under each end connected to the body by a strap, cord or chain. As the cream "runs from end to end of the containing vessel, it acquires a momentum"; "by means of the reaction of the springs, the momentum thus acquired is rendered available in obtaining the return motion." A perforated diaphragm across the middle lets the cream through on its way. This rung estimates the spring force, then prints the diaphragm and gudgeon bosses, bows two spring-steel strips under a rocking box, and makes butter.
Intermediate
About 5 hours, plus printing

Instructions

1

Cream's moment and spring force

Loading Jupyter Notebook...
2

A rocking churn before it

The embedded blueprint rocks a churn on a stool. Hitt hangs his on gudgeons and adds springs to help it back.
3

Read US 2,800

"I am aware that there is not any actual gain of power in the employment of springs in the manner designated, and they are not, therefore, used with any such view; but as the cream runs from end to end of the containing vessel, it acquires a momentum which would render the continuance of the rocking motion under the foregoing manner of suspending the containing vessel, one of much difficulty."
4

Print the parts

Print the perforated diaphragm flat (/uploads/blueprints/spring-return-rocking-churn-diaphragm.stl), two diaphragm guides (/uploads/blueprints/spring-return-rocking-churn-diaphragm-guide.stl) and two gudgeon bosses (/uploads/blueprints/spring-return-rocking-churn-gudgeon-boss.stl). Print in PLA at 0.2 mm layers, 30 % infill, 4 walls; wash before first use.

Materials for this step:

PLA FilamentPLA Filament1 piece

Tools needed:

FDM 3D PrinterFDM 3D Printer
5

The rocking box

Take a food-safe box about 300 × 150 × 140 mm with a lid. Screw a guide inside each long side at the middle and slide the diaphragm into them, so it lifts out for washing as his did on buttons. Screw a gudgeon boss to the outside of each long side at the middle, and fit an M8 bolt through each as a gudgeon. Fix a dowel handle to one end.

Materials for this step:

Food-Grade Storage ContainerFood-Grade Storage Container1 piece
Machine ScrewsMachine Screws1 piece
Hex NutHex Nut1 piece
Hardwood DowelsHardwood Dowels1 piece
#8 x 1" Wood Screw#8 x 1" Wood Screw1 piece

Tools needed:

Cordless DrillCordless Drill
Drill Bit SetDrill Bit Set
Screwdriver SetScrewdriver Set
Adjustable SpannerAdjustable Spanner
6

Frame, springs and cords

Build a pine base with two braced posts drilled for the gudgeons, so the box swings clear. Screw a spring-steel strip to the base under each end, bowed up so its tip stands just below the box when the box is level. Tie each tip to the box's end with a cord, leaving a little slack.

Materials for this step:

Pine BoardPine Board1 piece
Spring Steel StripSpring Steel Strip1 piece
ParacordParacord1 piece
#8 x 1" Wood Screw#8 x 1" Wood Screw1 piece
Wood GlueWood Glue1 piece

Tools needed:

Hand SawHand Saw
Cordless DrillCordless Drill
Drill Bit SetDrill Bit Set
Screwdriver SetScrewdriver Set
Tin SnipsTin Snips
ClampsClamps
7

The build in 3D

FreeCAD model of this build, not of the patent: the box cut away to show the perforated diaphragm, hung on gudgeons between braced posts, with a bowed spring and cord under each end and the handle.
Design FileBLENDCC0 - Free
Download Model
8

Rock and make butter

Let the heavy cream stand until it reaches about 15 °C, checked with the thermometer. Pour in 1 litre and fit the lid. Rock the box by its handle, letting the springs lift each end back; time until the butter comes. Pour off the buttermilk, add cold water, churn a little and pour off again until it runs clear; work in a pinch of salt and weigh the butter.
Step 8 - Image 1

Materials for this step:

Heavy CreamHeavy Cream1000 ml
Coarse Sea SaltCoarse Sea Salt1 piece
WaterWater1 piece

Tools needed:

Leave-In Probe ThermometerLeave-In Probe Thermometer
StopwatchStopwatch
Digital Kitchen ScaleDigital Kitchen Scale
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (Large)Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (Large)
9

A box that sticks down, springs that slap

Spring-return rocking churn troubleshooting.

Flow

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10

History and honest limits

**Daniel F. Hitt** of Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, received US 2,800, dated 7 October 1842. His body could be a trunk, box or cylinder; one end was removable, held "by wedges, screws, or otherwise"; the springs "may be varied in form, and may be made either of wood, or of metal." He did not claim the rocking churn or the suspension on gudgeons, both already used, but the manner of combining the springs with a churn that vibrates on gudgeons. **Honest limits.** A food-safe box and spring-steel strips stand in for his body and springs. The notebook's moment is an estimate, not a measurement. FDM prints hold food in their layer lines, so wash well and replace when worn. Your times and weights are the result.

Materials

13

Tools Required

12

Design Files

1

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CC0 Public Domain

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