Stamp mills such as these were used to crush ore to a fine pulp. They were assembled in “batteries” of five or ten stamps. Large mills sometimes had a hundred or more stamps.

Rotating cams on a horizontal shaft lift each stamp, and then allow it to drop onto the ore. This action also turns the stamp with each drop, equalizing wear on the heavy steel stamp head. The timing of the drops was crucial to crush the ore efficiently and thoroughly.

Posted August 2010.

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