I recently acquired this Weeden 34, notably it had been in the same family since new, and they were able to tell me with certainly that it dates from either 1926 or 27. It seemed to be in overall complete and good condition for its age, with exception of the steam pipe having an old solder repair, and the sight glass missing.
I wanted to take it apart to do a complete cleaning and re-furbish, which required removing that old solder repair. I assumed that the entire pipe (elbow joint) was brass, but when I heated it, much of it just melted away, leaving only the part that is attached to the boiler (that portion did not melt)! So, I can only assume that the "repair" involved the solder forming most of the elbow pipe (?). Unless that part of the pipe was made out of some type of metal that would always melt (which does not make much sense, if it was repaired with solder).
At this point, what I need to know is if the remaining part attached to the boiler is screwed in with threads? I assume that it must be, just like the sight glass mounts, but have not tried to remove it yet. My plan was to try heating it while unscrewing it.
Also, I don't know if there are any easy sources for a replacement of that elbow pipe (original or not)? I doubt that I can still use what is left there, even if it is threaded and I can get it out. Any help appreciated - Thanks!
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Weeden was famous (read as INFAMOUS) for using lead alloy castings for many of their parts, and thus many of those parts are no longer with us for reasons as you just found out!
The bad news is that it is rather unlikely that any of those parts are just laying around out there looking to find new homes. The good news is that carving a pattern and casting yourself replacement parts is at least possible. Or even just carving one out of a hunk of lead can be done.
Don't know for sure whether that fitting was threaded into the boiler, but I highly doubt it, and expect that it was simply cast/fused into the boiler, or keyed into it in some fashion.
I can say the one my brother took out from the top boiler just came fell out when heating it up. I am not sure what he used to heat things up but I know he has both a large iron and small torch. Seeing he got his out without melting it, I am guessing the large iron. Then he used the torch to put in the brass thread to be able to screw in the replacements. Which are spot on to the sight glass fitting on
@Gregowen #34.
This is the new ones right after he installed them (the brass line it to keep things straight as it was mounting things down).
Thanks for the knowledge and advice, I have not yet tried to remove what is left of the pipe, but it sounds like I have my work cut out for me regardless. I have a good stockpile of odds and ends and maybe I can rig something up, but making a replacement out of lead is probably beyond my skills at this point. If I can get it out in such a way that it is not destroyed and can somehow be re-done, I will be sure to post some photos and a description that might aid others with the same problem in the future. Wish me luck!
If you want to go to brass fittings check Clevedon Steam, Jerry will be able to supply you with what you need for steam line:
https://www.clevedonsteam.co.ukHe is in the UK but ships internationally at a reasonable price.
If you want to go to brass fittings check Clevedon Steam, Jerry will be able to supply you with what you need for steam line:
https://www.clevedonsteam.co.uk
He is in the UK but ships internationally at a reasonable price.
Thanks so much Frank, I will look into that, I sure hope that I can get what I need. Of course I checked your website also. I have seen the Clevedon site before but it has been a long time now.
