1762 Waterworks Historic Behtlehem

This project involved comprehensive millwrighting maintenance and condition assessment at the 1762 Waterworks and the Burnside Plantation Horse Mill, focusing on preventive care, operational reliability, and long-term preservation planning. At the Waterworks pumping mill, we performed detailed cleaning and lubrication of all bearings, gears, wedges, and moving interfaces, including crankshaft bearings, gear teeth, pump cylinders, slide channels, and the water wheel assembly. Cylinders were cleaned, vacuumed, and treated with beeswax products; grease fittings were serviced; oil levels were checked in both the motor and gearbox; and excess grease was removed before applying fresh lubrication. We confirmed wedge tightness throughout the timber frames and gears, tightened hardware where loose, checked floats and shaft conditions, inspected clearances between the wheel and silt level, and removed debris from the pit. Fungus and silt buildup were scraped and treated with BoraCare after consultation with staff, and vulnerable areas—including wedges and structural timbers—were treated to mitigate decay. Temporary but structurally sound repairs were made to a decayed ladder using rot-resistant locust and copper isolation, and a deteriorated lap joint in the water wheel spokes was stabilized with milled locust inserts and through-bolting. Measurements were also taken to prepare for eventual full water wheel replacement.

During 2023 operation, we diagnosed a structural issue contributing to motor strain: the pillow block supporting the water wheel bearing at the gable wall was internally rotting and collapsing. The resulting drop in bearing height caused the gudgeon clamps at the opposite end of the axle to rub against adjacent timber, creating resistance that risked overpowering the motor. We temporarily relieved this friction in 2023 by removing interfering material and confirmed that the mill could operate smoothly once compensated. In 2025 we returned to site and replaced the pillow block.

Maintenance was also performed on the horse mill and high horse wheel systems. We cleaned and lubricated the large crown gear, thrust bearing, vertical drive bearings, pinion gears, metal gearing, pulley wheel bearings, and all related rounds and gear interfaces. Oil was refreshed in vertical drive bearings, leather straps were conditioned with neatsfoot oil, missing wedges in the main timber frame were fabricated and installed with safety screws, and dust covers were added to protect critical bearings. Throughout both systems, we tapped wedges tight, checked fasteners and clamps, and brushed or vacuumed accumulated dust and debris.