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

Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Technical Tips, Builds, and Help => Topic started by: komet163b on December 04, 2020, 02:33:06 pm

Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: Dampfopa on May 02, 2021, 06:42:03 am
That's a good tip, Charlie. I do the same. It is always important to cover the nearby solder joints with wet rags.  This secures these solder joints.
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: txlabman on May 01, 2021, 06:28:40 pm
Nice job fixing the bushing Wayne.

When I install a new bushing, I flux and then wrap thin jewelry solder around the bush.  Then I press it in the hole and apply indirect heat (I also put wet rags over the rest of the boiler).  Once the solder starts to bubble, I give a quick direct flame on the bush and that usually does the trick.
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: komet163b on May 01, 2021, 04:28:41 pm
Well, I finally took care of that bushing!  My hands
were shaking but the solder bead came out ok.

Check it out.  A new you tube video. 

https://youtu.be/TZ7GQfOcwmQ

Happy trails,
Wayne
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: St Paul Steam on December 06, 2020, 06:21:41 am
The Weeden is a fine runner Wayne, looking forward to your repairs on your other project.
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: komet163b on December 05, 2020, 12:32:26 pm
OOps....Weeden #338, that is, I think....Wayne
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: komet163b on December 05, 2020, 12:04:55 pm
  Hmmm.  Steel wool.  Good idea.  Does burn pretty well, though.
We tie it on a rope, light it up, and then swing it around for
kicks and giggles on July 4th.     

  So, I did a steamup of a Weeden #38 and put it on You Tube
titled...   Weeden #38 Steam Engine

  This might get you there, too...https://youtu.be/gFgr9tO7ZF4

  A good steamup helps to put your steaming problems in the
rear-view mirror. 

Wayne
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: Nick on December 05, 2020, 10:17:08 am
My friend, a 35year studio tech mentioned a trick for removing
excess solder.  He takes some of the woven shielding 'matting'
from a shielded cable and uses that to 'wick' up the melted
solder.  One method among several.

I use 0000 steel wool to “wick” away the molten solder, just keep the wool out of the flame.
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: komet163b on December 05, 2020, 10:03:53 am
Good Morning from Brooklyn...

  Charles, Thanks for the video.  It was as I expected, melt off
the globs, wipe off as much as you can, and then remove the
rest with careful use of the dremel.  I especially liked the
hi-speed video...or are you secretly Barry Allen?

  My friend, a 35year studio tech mentioned a trick for removing
excess solder.  He takes some of the woven shielding 'matting'
from a shielded cable and uses that to 'wick' up the melted
solder.  One method among several.

  I liked how you ended with soldering the bushing back in place.
Not so scary as I thought.  I was concerned that the burner, like
the one I have, might burn thru the thin copper or brass.  It
seems a light touch (and good prep) is enough to do it.

  So, my friend is coming over next week and I'll watch and learn.
The trickiest part might be to get the bushing to sit still as
the hole is not 'depressed' and the bushing rocks from side-to-side.
Low production value.

  Finally, there may be a problem at the other end.  There appears
to be a small blob of solder hanging from the bottom of the cap rim.
Might be more to fix.

  Today, I need to run an engine that will cooperate 100%. Not an
electric.  Perhaps the...Hmmm, we'll see.

Wayne
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: St Paul Steam on December 05, 2020, 07:07:00 am
That was an informative video Charlie, thanks .
Title: Re: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: txlabman on December 04, 2020, 04:23:57 pm
None of the Empire engines are silver soldered.

I think you need to remove as much of the old solder as possible.

Here is a good video on removing excess solder:

https://youtu.be/6BCtqXPKUQ0
Title: Empire #90 bushing problem
Post by: komet163b on December 04, 2020, 02:33:06 pm
Well, I'm sure you've heard this before...

  I only stepped away for what seemed like a couple
of minutes, but then the engine slowed and stopped
and by the time I got to it...the SV/filler bushing
had become unsoldered.  Picture included, bushing to
the left of the hole..

  When re-soldering, do I need to remove all the old
solder?  If so, what is the best method to remove the
old solder.

  If not, I've already smoothed the boiler hole and
bushing so they fit well (in spite of having solder on
them).

  Which leads us to...does it need to be silver-soldered?
I hope not.

Thanks,
Wayne