Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I checked mine out also, just like Bret's. Slight bulge, stainless or nickel rod. A very small wobble,
square cylinder too. Good rivet's. It sounds like they cheapened them up. Mine was built in 2007.
Maybe they had a big turnover of employees due to the pandemic like a lot of companies experienced.
It looks like a practice one or a dropped and returned one. I hope they square up with you.