Add a way to combine mechanical power sources into one

[Adjective_Grape]

I love the way mechanical power works but it sucks that I can't find a way to combine my windmills into one axel with all the power I would love for there t be a way to combine(power into one axel, from two) and separate(one axel into two with les power) power, There might already be a way to do it but I couldn't find one

[idiomcritter]

welcome to the forum

not sure whats being asked(?)

The large wooden gear allows up to 4 inputs or outputs to be connected depending on how one configures it.  

Personally I place a large wooden gear at the top of a tower, and then attach 4 windmills (facing each carnal direction) to power the large gear.  the center shaft can then be attached to another large wooden gear below than can then power 1-4 mechanical devices.

The wiki explains it, but not happy with the pictures it shows on attaching power sources, though if you understand whats going on, then it makes sense

wiki:
wooden gear

 

[solenoid]

I have two windmills on the sides of a large gear with the power train going down the tower, connected to the side of another large gear. 
For my third windmill I tried attaching it to the centre of the input large gear's axle, hoping for a speed increase to supplement the torque gained from connecting to the sides, but found it made no difference to the speed of the central axle. 
I know each axle and connection increases resistance, and having 4 machines working off the central axle requires so many connections that I wonder if the resistance from the convoluted maze of axles and transmissions is worth the squeeze.

Is it better to have 4 windmills just powering each machine on their own, or to combine power along a central shaft?

[Never Jhonsen]

My Windmill at my current base, is a 12 rotor with 5 large gears on a single, central axis.

Starting from the top, the first three gears control 4 rotors each, the 4th gear has two pulverizers and two querns, and the final 5th gear has 4 helve hammers banging on two anvils (two hammers per anvil).

All 4 hammers and both pulverizers are connected straight to the large gears via a single small gear, with the querns using some angled small gears to connect to the system.

With the exception of calm winds, my contraption is always moving.

I want to say that it is better to have your power go straight down the middle of the large gears, stacking them like I described (when I get off work I'll take a picture of my creative world mockup), but I personally haven't crunched the numbers.

[solenoid]

I'll post some screenshots of mine when I've got all the machines down. Would appreciate tips, it's my first attempt.

[Thorfinn]

4 hours ago, Never Jhonsen said:

the first three gears control 4 rotors each

You would not believe how many games I played trying to combine the power of more than one set of rotors before this very idea occurred to me. Just build taller.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking. What a maroon.

[Never Jhonsen]

6 hours ago, Never Jhonsen said:

(when I get off work I'll take a picture of my creative world mockup)

I almost forgor here I am past bedtime to get you these photos

Here is a mockup of the contraption I talked about above. 5 large gears, 12 rotors, 4 helve hammers, two querns, and two pulverizers.

Each rotor floor is 10 blocks tall, and the rotors are placed 4 blocks from the central axle. Place them any closer and they will hit theirselves and break.

(P.S. that other small windmill in the background is from here)

With the exception of the querns, which have two small gears to angle the power 90 degrees, everything is connected straight to the large gears.

I wouldn't say this is the BEST way; I've seen other mess with the lower 1/2 of the powertrain to reach stupidly fast speeds, but this is how I've done my designs. 

1 hour ago, Thorfinn said:

You would not believe how many games I played trying to combine the power of more than one set of rotors before this very idea occurred to me. Just build taller.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking. What a maroon.

I wouldn't say that  Every one has different talents, and I just like mechanical (and electrical) stuff

4 hours ago, solenoid said:

I'll post some screenshots of mine when I've got all the machines down.

Do it  I would like to see

[solenoid]

I ended up following this guy's guide, that way I only have to worry about one output wheel and can set it to high speed, high torque, or just straight feed.

 

[solenoid]

The three helve hammers finish ingots in about half the time it takes to heat up a bloom to working temp when wind is up on straight drive.

Edited September 27, 2025 by solenoid