This is an interesting toy to place on the top of the shed or garage where the wind will have a chance to revolve the brightly colored wheel at a good rate. It also serves as a weather vane.

The main part of the mill (Plate 35) is made up of four pieces of half inch stock, two being 3-1/2" × 4-3/4" and two 2-1/2" × 4-3/4". The two larger sides taper to 2-1/2" wide at the top and the two smaller pieces to 1/2". The top piece forming the roof is made from a piece of wood 1-3/4" thick. If wood of this thickness is not available, several thinner pieces must be glued together. It is cut 3-1/2" × 3-1/2" and a line is drawn around the edge 3/8" from the lower sides. From this line the roof tapers to a point directly over the middle of the piece, as shown.

The long support, on which the mill rests, is made 1/2" × 1-1/4" × 10-1/4". Two holes are bored and countersunk for the screws which hold it to the mill base. A similar hole is bored from the opposite end for the screw which holds in place the round piece A.

The circular piece marked A on the side view, is made 3/8" × 2-1/2". A hole is bored 1/2" deep with a quarter inch bit on the edge. The piece C is a quarter inch dowel, 7-3/4" long. A hole is bored with a quarter inch bit in the roof, at a slant, as is shown in the side view. This hole is 3/8" deep.

The dowel piece C fits in these holes when assembled, being held with glue.

The smaller base piece, which is attached to the bottom of the mill with glue and 1" brads, is made 1/2" × 4" × 5". The small piece, on which the vanes of the mill turn, is made from a piece of half inch dowel, cut 1-1/2" long. A hole is bored in the roof piece 1/2" deep to receive this. A smaller hole is drilled in the outer end of this dowel to receive a 1-1/2" No. 8 round-head screw on which the vanes revolve.

A piece is now cut 3/4" × 7/8" × 7" to serve as the supporting piece on which the whole mill turns. On one end a notch is cut, as shown in the drawing, 3/8" deep and 1-1/2" long. Two screw holes are bored in this notch to allow the piece to be attached to the shed or roof. On the opposite end a hole is bored in the center, 3/4" deep and with a drill that will insure a 16-penny nail fitting very tightly. One of these nails should be driven in and the headed end cut off so as to allow a projection of 1" beyond the end of the wood. The end of this nail should be filed smooth and round.

A hole is bored to receive this in the base pieces, as shown in the drawing, extending through both pieces and large enough for the nail to turn freely within. A washer should be placed over this to insure the mill turning easily.

The two pieces for the vane of the mill are made 3/4" × 1" × 5-1/2". Each vane is chiseled at an angle, sloping in one direction at one end and in the opposite direction at the other, allowing at least 1/8" for the thickness. Considerable pains should be used in shaping these vanes to insure even balance. File and sand these smooth.

A middle lap joint is made exactly in the center of each vane, cutting half through on each piece and making a smooth, flush fit. Hold the vanes together with glue and 1/2" brads at this point and carefully bore a hole at the center large enough to allow a 1-1/2" No. 8 round-head screw to turn easily.

A small washer is placed under the head of the screw and one between the rear of the vanes and the end of the supporting dowel. Turn the screw up tight enough to allow the vanes to clear nicely.

All pieces should be carefully sanded with No. 1 sandpaper first and finished with No. 0. Paint all pieces before assembling.

A suggested color scheme is shown in the drawing.