A paint mill

Amongst our trades items at Market Lavington Museum, we have this large machine.

It stands about 45 cm tall and has a similar width, including the handle. It is a paint mill. It was used for mixing by hand such ingredients as white lead paste, colours in oil, thinners and driers. It came to the museum in 1985, but our records do not have a date for its manufacture or when it was in use.

Here, we see the interlocking cogs which transferred the motion from the turning handle to the blades in the conical container above. They mixed up the contents.

The mixed paint could be transferred out of the mill via a lip below the mixing cone.

For 2023, it is joining our display on Painting and Decorating, to be found in the corner of the kitchen.

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