Steel Garden Windmill Setup Tutorial & Pro Building Tips
Step-by-Step Windmill Assembly Guide
Watch our complete setup guide to help you assemble your Outdoor Water Solutions Backyard Windmill. Note: This video features the Small Windmill, but the core assembly process is virtually identical for our Large Windmill models!
Pro Tips & Tricks for a Smooth Build
- Hand-Tighten First: Do not completely tighten any bolts until your tower is fully assembled. This allows the necessary play to align the cross braces properly.
- Prevent Rust (Rain Shed): When connecting leg sections, always ensure that the lower leg section is behind the top leg section. This creates an overlap so rainwater sheds off rather than collecting inside the joint.
- Maintenance Platform Alignment: The four top legs have holes punched in one side specifically to install the decorative maintenance platform. Ensure these holes face toward the top of the tower and are across from each other.
- Secure the Head: It is very important to install the nylock nut on the front of the shaft. This helps secure and lock the windmill head onto the shaft.
- Anchor Brackets: When installing the bottom anchors, make sure the bracket is leaning outwards at the top so you can easily install your anchor rods once the tower is upright.
Quick Answers (Assembly FAQs):
What is the difference between building the Small and Large Windmills?
The head assembly and top tower sections follow the exact same process! The main difference is the scale. The Small Windmill features a 27" fan, while the Large Windmill features a 30" fan. The Large tower also requires assembling an additional lower leg section, utilizing 8 standard tower legs compared to the Small model's 4, and finishes with a wider 31" bottom cross member.
How do I ensure the tail tracks the wind properly?
When installing the tail arm, it is very important to ensure that one end butts up against the fan support shaft welded inside the head connection bracket. The other end must be flush with the back of the tail fin bracket. If this is not done correctly, the windmill may not track the wind properly.
What should I do if the windmill fan wobbles?
Each head is precision machined and balanced, but occasionally blades can bend slightly in transit. We recommend spinning the head once it is mounted. If you notice a wobble, simply bend the misaligned blades forward or backward by 1/4" to 1/2" to align them so they turn perfectly straight.
Love upgrading your outdoor space? Join over 19,000 active subscribers by signing up for our newsletter to get more homesteading projects, product updates, and expert pond management advice directly to your inbox!