Glossary of mill machinery

This glossary of mill machinery covers the major pieces of machinery to be found in windmills, watermills and horse mills. It does not cover machinery found in modern factories.

Watermill machinery

The axle carries the waterwheel. It can also carry the Pit Wheel at its opposite end.

The Bedstone is the bottom of a pair of millstones. It does not move. The upper stone is called the Runner Stone.

The Crown Wheel is a driving wheel located at the top of the Upright Shaft

The Great Spur Wheel is a large gear attached to the Upright Shaft. It drives one or more Stone Nuts in a corn mill. If mounted on a Layshaft it is called a Spur Wheel and only drives one Stone Nut

An internal framework supporting the gears and millstones. This isolation prevents damage to the building from the vibrations of the workings.

A Layshaft in a watermill is a horizontal shaft, carrying a Wallower and one or more Spur Wheels. The term can also refer to a minor shaft driving machinery by pulleys and belts.