Windmills and Wind Motors: How To Build and Run Them

by F.E. Powell, Roger Chambers (Introduction)

Free, clean, and sustainable energy: wind power is an essential resource everyone can harness. This comprehensive and compact historical work provides everything you need to learn about the theory and construction of everyday windmills, from small ones intended solely as models to those large enough to generate electricity. Powell provides all the necessities to get you on your way, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and designs for every part of the project.

Types of windmill projects include:

A model windmill with sails two feet across
A working windmill with sails six feet across, suitable for pumping water
A practical windmill with sails ten feet across, capable of producing up to one-half horse power and able to run light machinery

For those interested in developing alternate, off-the-grid sources of energy, or even those who like to build for fun, Windmills and Wind Motors is a classic, useful guide to harnessing wind power.

90 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2012 the book gives a general background on windmills and wind motors through recent history for pumping water, generating electricity, and preforming work. It covers construction and maintenance. The final third of the book is filled with reproductions of old advertisements for wind products.

[Benjamin Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, though brief, is incredibly detailed in regard to a few specific designs for windmills. It is very interesting to see the level of intelligence and eloquence exhibited by engineering minds from over 100 years ago. With only very slight modification to these plans (by not using lead paint, nor perhaps California redwood), one could build a very useful machine, as easily today, as ever. The most challenging aspects would be the steel casting of the mill head and the lathe turning of the hub parts. This book is a great read for anyone interested in building their own windmill, or who loves technical works or learning details of mechanical systems.

[Nostraquedeo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mine is 78 pgs and a reprint of the 1909 book, very simplistic. Starts with description and blueprints for a small model then larger useful 1/40th HP then a 1/10 HP at the end. If all you want is 3 simplistic models to build with a little explanation as to the reasons and how's then this is a good book. you can reed it in 4 hours

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little difficult to read, luckily it's a short small book. I skipped a lot of the technical stuff. Would recommend for smart people who are interested in building a working model windmill.