How To Do it yourself

"The wind should be looked upon as a natural resource just as worthy of development as other natural resources. If we can derive our energy from the wind, why is it not as good as to get it from coal?" In the 1890's a good windmill could supply running water in the rural home and much-needed water for irrigation and livestock. Regardless of any vulnerabilities in our electrical grid, the wind will always be with us, and the information in this booklet is as valuable today as it was more than a hundred years ago. As the author, Mr. Barbour put it, "...it is the windmill which makes it possible for the resident of the town, or the farm and ranch to enjoy one of the luxuries and conveniences of the city home. Such water service is cheap and satisfactory."

For that reason we feel it is important that this information be preserved and passed along, and we are glad to reproduce the entire text and all illustrations of this important booklet here.

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This ingenious wind turbine uses blades made from a length of black ABS plastic pipe, a stock 30-volt motor for the generator, a 2x4, some sheet aluminum, and some pipe fittings to make a slick-looking, smooth-running piece of machinery. This project page is loaded with nice photos and plenty of details on how the turbine was constructed. There is even complete parts list with some suggestions on the best places to find parts inexpensively.

The latest updates to the page include the author's answers to several questions from readers, and the latest modifications and upgrades. As his web page shows, there's even enough power to run his laptop computer indefinitely as long as the wind keeps blowing.

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