Old Al Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Does anyone have details of the special windlass needed for the Middle Levels locks, being a dyed in the wool tight wad, i thought I would make one for use later in the season, Thanks in anticipation. Old Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoominPapa Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Our seems to be made of a length of box-section steel, 39mm external size, 33mm internal size, (which is the crucial measurement) 80 mm long, with a handle welded on so there's 60mm clear on the business end. Handle crank length is 360mm. There's no taper on the socket. MP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FidoDido Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Noted that the "business end" protrudes for several inches from the handle, as it goes down into a recess to turn the paddle. The windlass is horizontal when you turn the paddle. Otherwise, it's pretty similar to the large section normal windlass. Indeed a middle level windlass works fine all the way up the Nene on the standard large square paddles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scholar Gypsy Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Noted that the "business end" protrudes for several inches from the handle, as it goes down into a recess to turn the paddle. The windlass is horizontal when you turn the paddle. Otherwise, it's pretty similar to the large section normal windlass. Indeed a middle level windlass works fine all the way up the Nene on the standard large square paddles. ... and so can anyone tell me why it is known as an Ouse key ?? You only really need it for Ashline lock, which is of course unmanned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetman Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Maybe its because if you want to get to the Ouse in a narrow boat on normal canal type waterways you need an 'Ouse key' ? Or have the locks on the Ouse been changed at some point. I did the Ouse years ago but I thought it was needed elsewhere possibly St Ives? Why is Ouse not pronounced like Mouse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoominPapa Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 ... and so can anyone tell me why it is known as an Ouse key ?? You only really need it for Ashline lock, which is of course unmanned. An Ouse key is different. It's like a BW windlass, with a taper socket, but bigger. The larger size BW windlass will sort-of fit most Ouse-lock spindles, but it may jam and require application of a mooring hammer. Don't ask me how I know this MP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scholar Gypsy Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 An Ouse key is different. It's like a BW windlass, with a taper socket, but bigger. The larger size BW windlass will sort-of fit most Ouse-lock spindles, but it may jam and require application of a mooring hammer. Don't ask me how I know this MP. Ah now I am really confused, as the Middle Level navigation notes (here) say in paras 13/15: "An 'Ouse Key'/Lock Handle/Windlass can usually be purchased at the manned locks and marinas (price £10.00)" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nine9feet Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I had an Ouse key and it worked fine on the Ashline paddles. But maybe not all Ouse keys are the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoominPapa Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Ah now I am really confused, as the Middle Level navigation notes (here) say in paras 13/15: "An 'Ouse Key'/Lock Handle/Windlass can usually be purchased at the manned locks and marinas (price £10.00)" Maybe I'm confused as well. We have a Middle-Level windlass which is the straight-sided affair like the one MacOfCynet posted a picture. That was bought at Stanground Lock. We also have a Ouse Key, described as such and bought at Gayton Marina, I think. That's tapered, and is definitely used (by us, at least) on the Bedford Ouse locks. MP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 And mine ( bought from the WRG stand no one knows what it fits for 50p) fits the ML, if Maureen is not about you need it and the Ouse ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Is that straight or tapered, Mac of Cygnet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebe Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Cannot answer for Middle Level or Nene but have got my Great Ouse 'key' out of the loft to check its dimensions for Big John. It was obtained for free with a sea-searcher, dabbling at Tempsford Lock many years ago. The shaft has a throw of 290mm. The 'socket is tapered - 35mm at wide end, 30mm at narrow end, socket is 70mm long so a gentle taper, socket side walls made from 5mm 'L' section/angle cut and welded. Quite a heavy brute. p.s. When I was learning locking in the 1970s I was shown how to keep a coin or small shim in my pocket to deal with worn spindles on manky BW locks. Mal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Is that straight or tapered, Mac of Cygnet? Straight. I got it from the Stanground lockie (Tina the present lockie's father) the first time I went to the Middle Level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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