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Author Topic: The Craigslist Twin Cylinder Steam Engine from New Jersey  (Read 1019 times)

RedRyder

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The Craigslist Twin Cylinder Steam Engine from New Jersey
« on: December 01, 2019, 04:06:01 pm »
Now the reporting begins....

I was on the road early and picked this up at the crack of dawn in New Jersey this morning.

As soon as I got it in the workshop, I knew it was not a runner, at least not as is. Besides a lot of grunge, there were some issues in need of repair.
It would not allow the crank to rotate fully due to binding and the flywheel scraping both sides of it's slot.


At first I thought could it be made this poorly?
A quick close look at the tiny fasteners and ornate knurled finial caps and the idea of poorly made became a thing of the past. A bent crank shaft would be the culprit. At some point something heavy must have landed on it. I found the gouge in the corner edge of the flywheel face. It is fortunate that the flywheel didn't crack and that the crank didn't break.




A bit of history... This engine has been in the same family for a long time.
The gentleman I got it from (age 66 years) was given this piece by his father a long time ago.
His father was given the machine by his grandfather who emigrated from Germany way back when.
I'll start with the craigslist pictures which I have preserved for the record.


Gil


Now some craigslist pictures followed by some of mine before the work begins.


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and....


Some pictures I took.


Most were taken after a good brushing with a detailing brush (like a large toothbrush) and a lot of Pro-Chem-Co Tool Kit which is like WD-40 only much better for treating and protecting metal. You can still see all the rust while much of the loose crud is gone.


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The steam line is has a Y-pipe and 2 throttles at the top with a single steam tap and a then back through the Y into a single steam line. Sorry about the crappy picture!


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More trying to clean...and ash door.



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RedRyder

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More after quick detail brush work and wiping.


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These are retaining screws for the crank pin at the connecting rod ends.
The shank is 57/1000ths.

Try finding one after dropping on a brown and black carpet!


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RedRyder

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RedRyder

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And cleaner...

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RedRyder

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When you see the air test video you will hear a lot of air leaking.

At first it felt like it was blowing out of the firebox which seemed impossible since there were no pressured connections to the boiler.

I found the trouble. The steam line was split nearly top to bottom. It must have been left to freeze with water still in it.

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RedRyder

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The fire grate...

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RedRyder

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It actually runs after a bit of straightening out things!

Enjoy,

Gil


Hero

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That's quite a snazzy old thing, and definitely unique.

It runs very well, and has the promise of being a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
Bob

St Paul Steam

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Another beauty saved by a Master, you have that flywheel running incredibly true Gil , very nice work Sir.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
"Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind."
  Nikola Tesla

Nick

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I like that one  8)  Looking better already  ;)
Nick

komet163b

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  I knew it.  Runs like a charm.  Magic
in motion.  I'm glad you have it because
my luck has been running a bit so-so and
I'm sure I would have infected it.

  I noticed the letter 'K' on the bottom.
Do you think this is a one-off or is the 'K'
meaningful?

Happy steaming (with a new steampipe),
Wayne

komet163b

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  Just had the latest EBAY steam engine arrive.
Cleaned and oiled-up, it ran on command.
It is not a stationary engine.  What is its
name and who made it? (trick question)

  A good test....who made the other engines?
Two are modified, three are original survivors,
and all run.  I have a notion on the brass modded
engine.  The others ought to be easy.  Check the
photo.

Good Luck All,
Wayne

Jim

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Very nice find Gil.
_______________________________________________
Cheers.
Jim

My YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Blue123Heeler/videos


RedRyder

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txlabman

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Well done Gil!

Looks like there is still some work to do, but it is great to see it running.

This one definitely ended up in the right hands.

I hope you shared the video with the Seller.  He will be thrilled to see it running again.