Thank you to Martin Watts whose informative visit to Lapford Mill shed much light on the maintenance, management and running of the mill. Martin had visited Lapford Mill previously in 1983 and was able to make several recommendations, as well as sharing some of his photos from thirty years ago!  You can see these in the Gallery page.

Of principal concern was the off-centre alignment of the vertical drive shaft. Martin advised as follows;

NOTES ON ADJUSTING THE UPRIGHT SHAFT POSITION
The footstep bearing of upright shaft has moved or been moved into mill, so that the pitwheel cogs and wallower teeth are almost out of mesh. Bearing needs moving towards waterwheel by about 20-24mm, in order to put gears into mesh and ensure upright shaft is vertical. The bronze bearing block then needs to be retained to prevent further movement.

• clean bearing and cast-iron box holding it and free set screws. The screw on the wheel side has broken off and a new one will need to be made and fitted.
• push bearing block towards pitwheel until good mesh is achieved and check verticality of upright shaft in both directions.
• make and fit steel clamp to hold bearing block in place (as discussed on site), fit and pinch up set screws when shaft is in correct position.
• tighten nuts to cap of intermediate bearing on upright shaft below stone floor (these may have been loosened in order to move the shaft in the past).
• lubricate the bearings. NB: the three bearings to the upright shaft require oiling rather than greasing. The footstep bearing block should have an oil groove cut into it which may require cleaning out.
• treat the wooden cogs of the pitwheel with a light dressing of linseed oil.

M. Watts 18.05.2015