Bessler Wheel question

[AB Hammer]

I would say the top corner to the right as you face the picture but a little smaller version.

[helloha]

Assuming it was made of cast iron, then a 4 pound cylinder could be 2-1/2 inches diameter by 3-1/8 long. Or it could be 3 inch diameter by 2-3/16 long.

About the size & shape of a coke can.

using reference of weight size ranging from 2-1/2 inches diameter by 3-1/8 long to the shape of coke can for the Kassel,
by comparing between the Kassel and Gera Wheel,
how is the difference of the weight for the Gera Wheel ?

[Mark]

My vote for dimensions = the (vintage) V8 can, the smaller one, like 5 or 6 oz. size.

I've always found it curious that all those 'weights' - "which could have filled a considerable box" - weren't listed as part of the after death inventory.

[AB Hammer]

helloha

A coke can size of lead is a little over 10 lbs.

[AB Hammer]

My vote for dimensions = the (vintage) V8 can, the smaller one, like 5 or 6 oz. size.

I've always found it curious that all those 'weights' - "which could have filled a considerable box" - weren't listed as part of the after death inventory.

Mark

They where probably melted down for bullets or fishing weights or even used for scale weights once remelted long before his death. A lot was recycled back then.

Alan

[Mark]

Probably true. But it seems weird that he didn't set aside at least a few of them.

[rlortie]

Don't forget, there is mention of burning and burying.

[Oystein]

I think there where also mention of parts for a "PM-wheel" found after his death, but it was never mentioned in the inventory.

[zoelra]

Any possibility that the weight was a spring (and not necessarily a stiff spring)?

A spring's CoM shifts as it stretches and contracts, and an extended spring can lift itself rather quickly when allowed to contract.

[Fletcher]

I should think that a coil spring could be felt thru the handkerchief covering, even if handkerchiefs of the time were large & folded for example.

btw, great photo of you holding the slinky.

[Art]

.

The twanging sound that one of the witnesses reported could have been caused as the weight was disconnected from a spring though .

.

[zoelra]

Hehehe ... good one Fletcher.

What if the spring was tightly packed when contracted, like a slinky. Through the handkerchief I'm not sure if you would feel the divisions between the coils. The spring could have also been inside some type of sleeve.

I'm not sure they had the ability to craft springs like that in the 1700's though. Well just a thought.

[AB Hammer]

I should think that a coil spring could be felt thru the handkerchief covering, even if handkerchiefs of the time were large & folded for example.

btw, great photo of you holding the slinky.

Fletcher

Unless the spring was inside the lead cylindical weight for that can be the reason the ends where covered.


zoelra

They had the skill but did they have the idea to make it so. You also have to realize clocks of the time had fine gears and spring parts.

Alan

[helloha]

Comparison on the thickness of wheels between the Kassel and Draschwitz,
and using the ratio of the Gera and Draschwitz to predict a double-sized Draschwitz version

[helloha]

one of three mechanisms presented by the Merseburg drawing http://www.orffyre.com/Merseburg1.jpg , the Pendulum, ....
the other two are Lifting weight mechanism and Hammer mill mechanism.