Building and Balancing Stones.

We put all runner stones on a point or cock-head, and keep them in balance while “backing up;” consequently they are as near in standing and running balance as they can be, by this means. We have testimony to the fact, that a number of stones we have made (all balanced upon the old plan of a cock-head at the center,) are in such perfect balance that if the wheat is exhausted in the hopper, the face of the runner will not touch the bed-stone. The importance of balancing on the true principle, is mostly overlooked. In a mill properly balanced, the stones will keep a better grinding face with one-half the time and labor required if they are not thus balanced. Particular attention must be paid to keeping the runner in balance, as after leaving our works, the cement dries out in such a manner as to sometimes throw the runner out of both standing and running balance. For a description of the means we provide to do this important work of balancing, see the cuts and description under head of “Standing and Running Balance.”

We put iron backs on our under-runners, to protect the stone from wearing out of balance.