swuklink.com: Dressing Millstones

The grinding of wheat into flour by means of stones relies on the scissor-like action of the sharp edges of the stones as they rotated. To achieve this scissor-like action, the stones had to be 'dressed' in a particular fashion.

The stones found at Place Mill in Christchurch were dressed in the usual 'ten harp' pattern ...

... The furrows which were formed in each of the mill wheels tapered from nothing near the centre to a depth of 12mm (1/2 an inch) at the rim.

The dressing of the stones was a difficult operation requiring a great deal of skill - it was hazardous as well. The work was done with 'picks' and 'mill-bills'. At Place Mill in Christchurch Andrew Cox, the last miller to work there, was responsible for carrying out any repairs which were required and the dressing of the mill stones was one of the many tasks which fell to his lot. Such was his expertise at this that he frequently dressed millstones for other millers.

The runner (top) stone would be lifted from its position by means of block and tackle. A length of hardwood timber would be prepared for use as a straight-edge and smeared with with a paste made of water and red ochre. This would mark any high spots on the surface of the stone as it was rubbed over it so that they could be pecked flat with a chisel-edged hammer. This process was repeated until the surface of the stone was flat. Only then would the furrows commence to be re-cut with a stone-mason's mallet and a chisel.

The whole process was dusty and unpleasant and gauze goggles were worn to protect the eyes from the many flying chips of stone and steel.

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