Grinding wheel Arkansas River Valley, CO

[Cat Jockey]

Wakey, Wakey ...

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

I would agree sharpening wheel.

 

[haybudden2]

These type of sharpening wheels have been around for centuries.
They were for fine or final sharpening, they ran in a water bath.
The water was either in a trough at the bottom with part of the
wheel running submerged in, or dripped from a can or container suspended
above the wheel.
Arkansas (the State) is famous for its sandstone wheels in the US.

These wheels, when used properly, lasted years. They were for final
sharpening after an edged implement had its cutting edge forged out
to a semi sharp edge. The wheel was then used to dress the final
edge to a cutting sharpness
If the wheels weren't used daily, the water was removed. Continuous soaking on
one side of the wheel will cause it to become soft and crumble easily.

Wheels were usually used by a blacksmith or someone who did that type
of work. It was a stationary tool, it didn't travel well. Hand held stones
used by traveler and hunters. Hay2

 

[haybudden2]

It's always fun to find an old tool, or part
of one. Most likely related to a Blacksmith
or a Hardware store.
Upper Arkansas between Salida and Leadville
is an interesting area, lot of history in the area.

Spent some early years south of there and have
fished that section of the river. Nice area.
Good find, keep it up.

Hay2

 

[haybudden2]

I know Browns Canyon.
Ever stop at Cotapaxi?
The first settlement in that area was near Florence, about
1830's. That wheel could be as early as the late 1840's,but
most likely later than that, 1880's
No idea how deep something with would sink in the area.
Building built on top of another, it's more than likely back
fill. Those type of wheels were still being sold through the
1940's
Good luck, welcome to the Treasure Net.
Hay2

 

[Lucas]

These wheels were common on most farms. They were for sharpening ag tools like scythes. Old farm junk was often buried so new farm tools didn't get wrecked when they hit old junk.

"Nose to the grindstone," BTW, is not about this kind of stone. It refers to mill stones, and the miller checking for scorching of the flour.

 

[Okie Hillbillies]

haybudden2 most of the stones was run by foot power you are very correct in the identify. the foot
power similial to the way a singer sewing machine works, the foot powered one.



OkieHillBillies

 

[haybudden2]

That often quoted expression "Nose the the grindstone"
also describes holding your face close to the stone to see
what is being sharpened properly.

Burying old farm implements is certainly a new one to me.
Old farms will usually have a pile or piles of old iron discarded
over the years. Can't imagine the need to bury old tools.

Hay2

 

[Lucas]

Guess you never lived on a farm?

 

[haybudden2]

As it happens I have spent some time on
Farms and Ranches. Never saw any of my
relatives or anyone else burying any tools.
Most farmers and Ranchers used the old tool
and scrap pile to salvage parts for future repairs.

Can you tell me why old tools would be
buried ? Iron defence in the soil maybe?.

Also, the item CatJockey is describing by
using the picture to illustrate, is a Whetstone,
not a grinding wheel, or a mill stone.

I guess you have never used one.

Hay2

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

A broken section of the wheel was recovered, not a usable tool. Garbage is usually burned and its possible that this was all that remained. It may have been used a fill or it was just pushed with the rest of the rocks and dirt.

 

[Tnmountains]

Sometimes you will find a round stone like a grinding stone or mill stone amd it will be a cistern or early septic cover. They are made of stone with a square hole. I dug one and it resides in my side yard.
Here is a great link on mill stones not grinding stones. : )
http://www.millstones.com/

 

[Lucas]

As it happens I have spent some time on
Farms and Ranches. Never saw any of my
relatives or anyone else burying any tools.
Most farmers and Ranchers used the old tool
and scrap pile to salvage parts for future repairs.

Can you tell me why old tools would be
buried ? Iron defence in the soil maybe?.

Also, the item CatJockey is describing by
using the picture to illustrate, is a Whetstone,
not a grinding wheel, or a mill stone.

I guess you have never used one.

Hay2

Every farm I have been on had junk piles and trash pits. Maybe other places are different?

I own and use two grindstones (not millstones). A grinding wheel is a wheel used for grinding, wet or dry. A whetstone is usually flat and can be held in the hand.

Lighten up, we are here to ID stuff for people, not play king of the hill.


Lucas, who grew up in the country.

 

[haybudden2]

Lucas, The one who grew up in the country,

I agree we are here to I D items for people,
I just can't resist keeping the information accurate.

Hay2

 

[Lucas]

Wheels were usually used by a blacksmith or someone who did that type
of work. It was a stationary tool, it didn't travel well. Hand held stones
used by traveler and hunters. Hay2

So we can revise this to say "common on most farms" ?

And hand held stones are commonly referred to as "bench stones," found anywhere smaller tools were sharpened?

I applaud your comment about stones being softened/ruined by sitting in a water trough. Nothing will restore those lopsided stones. Those are only good as garden ornaments.