Work on the third pair of stones

The third runner stone lifted

 While we are waiting for the go-ahead to restore the second waterwheel, we decided to overhaul the moving parts of the drive for the third pair of stones (out of 4).

This involved the usual process of lifting and supporting the runner and removing the bearing (strips of wood) from the cast iron fitment in the bedstone.

This time we go on from there and remove the drive shaft, take the bottom bearing out and take out the wooden tentering beam.  This is mounted in a cast iron box set into the wall, and that was in a scruffy condition, so that had to come out too.  Here is Dave Freak cleaning it up with a wire brush prior to giving it a coating of Waxoyl.

The box was then fixed back in the wall with lime mortar, and the beam re-inserted and hung from the tentering bar.  The final picture shows Richard and Peter fixing the box.