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Author Topic: First Steam Engine  (Read 137 times)

catman

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First Steam Engine
« on: September 21, 2020, 10:28:20 am »
I am now the owner of a model steam engine. I was not sure if this hobby would hold my interest, and did not wish to purchase a new engine, so I went looking for a less costly used engine on ebay. It took a month or so, and was outbid on a number of engines but finally won a Jensen 65 for $48.00. The firebox was very discolored, missing the chimney and fuel tray, and very dirty, but the price was right. Upon arrival I fired it up, and it ran. That got me a lot more interested in steam. I then disassembled the engine and set about cleaning it up.

After taking inventory of everything, a chimney, fuel tray and set of gaskets were ordered. The first thing I did was clean the base up. After a good cleaning with soap and water, I rubbed the finish out with automotive rubbing and polishing compound, and gave it a coat of wax. Turned out nice. The firebox and chimney support, along with the chimney were stripped of paint and a hi-temp black paint was applied. The inside of the boiler took some cleaning with vinegar and a tooth brush working through the glass sight hole, but cleaned up good . The outside was a real mess, but Semichrome polish cut the built up carbon and gave a nice polish to the boiler. The whistle and steam valve leaked quite a bit, so I disassembled them and applied valve grinding compound to the insides, reassembled and turned the valves a hundred turns or so. That did the trick as they leak very little now. Every thing else was cleaned and polished. I used stainless button head screws to reattach the boiler straps as I think they look better than slotted screws. New gaskets were installed and I was done. My total cost was about $85.00. I think all hope is lost as i'm now looking for engine number two.

Mike
 
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Randy Tucker

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Re: First Steam Engine
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2020, 10:41:43 am »
Nice looks good. This is just the beginning for you. Now you want another one and then another one and so on. It never ends. I kinda started out putting together a set of Jensen model 10s. Well I now have over 70 Jensens not counting other brands.

Nick

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Re: First Steam Engine
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2020, 10:49:45 am »
You have a very nice looking engine now  8)  great to see you’re getting hooked  :D

Did you fire this on Esbit? I would highly recommend looking into a gas burner. Unfortunately that will cost the same as the engine itself, But you can use it in your future engines  ;)

As for the next engine, keep an eye out for an older wood-based Jensen 25 with a heavy flywheel. They can be found for under $150 and being your in MN, they are great for indoor running all winter long.

Like Randy, I think I’m up somewhere around 60-80 Jensens too now... It can become very addicting!
Nick

Steamloco

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Re: First Steam Engine
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2020, 11:53:23 am »
It would have been interesting to see how it looked before the cleanup, but it sure looks good now.
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classixs

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Re: First Steam Engine
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2020, 06:22:04 am »
You did a great job there Mike, looks brandnew!

Will be looking forward to see your next "investment"  :)
Cheers
Jan
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