7.5 windmill

[davyfireball]

My wife bought a windmill . And I was wondering how much
weight do I fasten it to so wind doesnt blow it over . Live in middle of IA. - highest wind is around. 60-70 mph
Dont recon I care about it if tornado comes .

 

[P I Pete]

I took a t post cut in half and drove it in the ground kitty corner then I took hose clamps and clamped
it to the legs.
Pete

 

[Moonlite37]

I had one with an 8 ft wheel. I poured one wheelbarrow of concrete at each leg filling a post hole.it was sturdy

 

[davyfireball]

Thanks guys I know this wasnt a tool question. The T post is a good idea. I can place it far enough apart and hook a chain with a snap on windmill to T post so lawnmower will fit between

 

[bc]

Are you talking about a 7.5 foot tall windmill for decoration or a large one? I assume a 7.5 foot tall one since most big mills would likely have a 6, 8, or 10 foot wheel on a much taller tower.

Anyway, just get one to four screw in type anchors from TSC or Wally world. Probably one in the middle and tie it down with heavy wire or nylon tie down strap or one anchor at each leg. Some of the thunderstorms we have can get you 90-100 mph winds. Too bad the weather channel doesn't care unless there is a hurricane doing it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Mine liked to live on its side I mounted it to a septic tank lid I would say its 2-1/2 X 2-1/2 X 3" thick (concrete) so far so good...

I found mine in a dumpster replaced the cheap bearings with sealed alternator bearings...

 

[Pete in Holland MI]

Fun little windmills. Have one in the back yard my dad gave me 25 years ago and still going strong. Did blow over (live
in a suburban neighborhood) the first or second year and took a good chunk out of the deck with fast spinning "saw blade".
Later, built a frame of 4x4's, lap jointed in the corners. Drilled holes and drove four 18" pieces of 1/2" re-rod as nails
thru the frame into the ground, flaring away from the base. Tower feet had holes, and was anchored with some 1/4" x 3"
screws with washers into the 4x4 frame. Been solid ever since.

Couple tips:

1) Grease it annually. If it's not greasable, make it that way. Those rarely come with sealed bearings.
2) Keep the blade balanced. Re-did mine this summer. No more shanking at high speeds.
3) A strip of reflector tape on both sides of one blade will enable you to look out at night and see how fast it's turning
with low light.

Enjoy it !

 

[DaleinWV]

Think my decorative windmill was also a gift from a father-in-law. Decided to mount it on a concrete pad, with some embedded eye bolts, and turnbuckles at each
of the corners.

she wanted it relocated this Spring, so loosened the turnbuckles and moved the entire pad. The kids got a little rambunctious tightening them, but its still
standing