Most important clue?!

[Michael]

I didn't think I needed to add over the past several current pages, but here's another one for you Fletcher;
Edit.
;)
105 results with 27 one word edits out of 2506 results isn't that bad now is it? So can we stay current and on subject or do we just announce troll fest and all have at it?

[John Collins]

I might know something you don't know Ed... but I don't know ;-)

No, your plan is interesting but it isn't the same as mine, but I will post a drawing of it once I've finished my own construction.

I posted this interpretation of the clue as speculation but it does form the background to my own thoughts about the design.

JC

[tomfleet]

A minor footnote, I wonder why the weights were cylindrical (as witness accounts strongly indicate), if it was not some rolling configuration (as witness accounts seem to indicate). Is it just a matter of cylindrical weights being handy from existing industrial practices, e.g. from the clock industry, or was there a technical advantage like the weights upon hitting a surface being less prone to twisting, or something secondary like that. Or was there a piston-like arrangement and the cylindrical shape was better that way. Geez, the paltry facts handed down drive me nuts.

[murilo]

For me, the best JB's clue, or tip, if my memory doesn't fail, is this:
''... even hammers wouldn't be necessary.''
Cheers. M.

[getterdone]

For me JBs most important clue isnt anything he said or wrote, but what he did. He used the power of the axle to lift the weights, lift water and run the hammer-mill. I was thinking maybe he used the axle to lift the weights one at a time inside the wheel , taking them from the perimiter and setting them close to the axle fast, so they almost seem to fly. but I dont know how he might have done that.

Leo

[winkle]

the most important clue

that would be the one that gave the answer

all the rest are irrelevant