The Different Parts of the Mill

There are four parts to operating a water mill. First is the outdoor part involving the river or stream and the waterwheel, second is the indoor machinery on the ground floor of the mill, third comes the top floor where the grain store and hopper are located and finally there is the operation of the mill stones where the grinding takes place on the first floor above the machinery.



The waterwheel is undershot, this means the force of water strikes at the base of the wheel to turn it and it turns in an anticlockwise direction. It is made of cast iron and has 24 paddles on it made of elm wood. These are set at a slight angle to catch the full force of the water. The axle, on which the wheel turns, fits through an opening in the wall of the mill into the interior.


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