Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 16, 2021, 12:24:42 pm
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How good does that simple improvement lift the classiness of the engine.
Thanks guys, it's fun when one little simple Mod gives an instantly different look.
I agree, Wilesco should start doing this , dramatically different.
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How good does that simple improvement lift the classiness of the engine.
Thanks guys, it's fun when one little simple Mod gives an instantly different look.
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How good does that simple improvement lift the classiness of the engine.
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Much better 👍
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I broke "First Paint" and she is not yet under my roof 6 hrs. Most everyone knows black is beautiful but my photo with the crane still in package helped me realize the front is really dark such that the Wilesco logo is nearly invisible on this model.
A few minutes cautious block sanding loaded with 800 grit got me this effect...the nice part about black canvas is small metal bits are more noticeable. The lighting is poor so in case the photo does not show it the logo now shows thru as yellow brass.
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Do you want some ideas for TE's with cranes? Check these out.
https://www.google.com/search?q=traction+engines+with+crane&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=4e0tdP6mJ3gURM%252CMoy19wJ65T1hPM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSfF28Ui_G5qNqowz0BbV4-aEMIHA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP_q3VqLvvAhVXXM0KHXcsDAYQ9QF6BAgMEAE#imgrc=4e0tdP6mJ3gURM
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Yes , I assume the boom would nearly always be fixed ,except for a few circumstances , and with light loads, the tractor would almost assuredly upset without having the ballast of the the tractor offsetting the load on the crane.
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Based on this photo I would say the boom is fixed and you get up/down on the main cable and must "drive" the engine to position the load....?
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For posterity.....less than two months ;D
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Now that's funny , but oh so true. For those of us that gave been around the forum(s) for awhile...we have seen the "steam bug" bite many a new member , I was such a person 10 yrs ago , I do think you may have been bitten twice though Ben.
I really like your new Wilesco TE.
I might be interested in buying the crane part if you do indeed decide to part with it.
Here is the crane still factory sealed....I have to admit the Traction Engine was the main "Event" tonight.
I did find a thread talking about the issues with Wilesco design Crane....I had a simple design worked out in my head that would remove the springs in the chain lines and retain the crane turning with steering feature...after viewing a couple photos from the thread of(full size) I remain unsure if it is proper to have the crane turn with stearing, it would make the crane more maneuverable but in real life would put tremendous strain on the steering gear train...I will post the photos from the thread but others may know if the boom should only offer up/down and the Engine must be moved to position the load?
I am on the fence about crane sale mostly because I want to help fund a D16 power supply...Bruce, you will be first to know if the crane comes to market![attachimg=1]
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For posterity.....less than two months ;D
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LOL!!!.... Yep if you dug a little further into my posts I seem to recall staying I was only interested in getting "a" single "stationary" engine as well...it "only" took 2 months for a mobile to slip under my door!!
I have always loved miniature mechanisms and engines so a mini steam that I can modify for performance its like Kryptonite...I am powerless to resist!
My brother received an Old Smokey around 1973 so it is only 4 years younger than me...he dug It out the other day and other than slight discoloration on firebox it looks New...you don't see that kind of longevity in toys or much of anything now days. Shoot, I think it was maybe Nick and some others possibly steamed some engines North of 100 years young in our recent online steam table show...I always thought model steam engines where expensive, but cost per year of service is not to bad! Well, I never had much trouble justifying toys I want ;D
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For posterity.....less than two months ;D
(Attachment Link)
Now that's funny , but oh so true. For those of us that gave been around the forum(s) for awhile...we have seen the "steam bug" bite many a new member , I was such a person 10 yrs ago , I do think you may have been bitten twice though Ben.
I really like your new Wilesco TE.
I might be interested in buying the crane part if you do indeed decide to part with it.
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For posterity.....less than two months ;D
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Looks great "in the nude" there Ben!
I think your "sunshade" was even more appreciated as a roof, when plowing for weeks in the rain 8)
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And now topless....the sunshade and possibly the crane may become for sale(Or Trade) I have never really liked sunshades as I want to have full view of power plant, however I am sure that drivers appreciated sunshade on hot July/August days!
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Congratulations Ben!
That is a neat one, will be looking forward to see your surgery on it :)
Me to!
Unboxed and Drivers view...I am THRILLED my engine was delivered with the Slanted lug rubber tires. On promotional photos Wilesco showed smooth rubber tires with a single center groove, these are Much better looking in my opinion.
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Congratulations Ben!
That is a neat one, will be looking forward to see your surgery on it :)
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Ooooh that’s nice 8)
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What did you end up ordering Ben?
THIS!
My Most wanted engine is D415 kit version, Ministeam was out of stock and other vendors are 20-30% higher. Second choice was D405 also out of stock.
These are priced maybe over a Showman but I worked out a "special buy" price.
I really like the Forest green wheels, it had not occurred to me until now but if I Re-Power with D16 "Big Bore kit" and leave the big D16 flywheel stock Red with my deep green wheels the monster I have created will be Black with Red/Pine Green trim or.....Wilesco "Christmas Special Edition"!!!
Maybe Wilesco should build it to...
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What did you end up ordering Ben?
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That was FAST! Ordered yesterday at noon...24 3/4 hrs later there is a cute little engine on my front porch!
I am finding FedEx often delivers a day early.
UPS about on time.
US mail often Fails to deliver and I must drive to post office.
The rest of the day will go slow waiting to go see my new toy ::)
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Susann tryed to upsell me to D406 but I prefure Nickel to brass
You can always keep an eye out for a D40 Nickel & Black ;)
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Ohh, that looks great, they (should) still offer that combo in the D405 range!
I actually had a fun idea for color on my build but the D405/1 kinda killed it. I really like the color of Uskin raw Bronze/brass castings. I am getting the Uskin smokebox so the front will be diffent then stock then wanted to strip all the paint from the kit and just feature all the nice colors of metal, there would be copper and nickel with a little brass and the Uskin parts are color of bronze...some parts will be polished and some left Matt finish...the only issue with my plan is I (believe) the firebox and area an operator would stand are just sheet tin, if I strip that and leave bare it will rust. If this build goes well I may consider a second build but Fab the firebox from copper or aluminum or stainless...have to give it some thought after I see all the parts disassembled.
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Susann tryed to upsell me to D406 but I prefure Nickel to brass
You can always keep an eye out for a D40 Nickel & Black ;)
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Ben , I gotta think this version is the perfect way to go for what you have planned , it would save you much time in the disasemmbly.
Well, I WANTED a kit version but out of stock. Susann convinced me to go with D405 because of Sale price And she showed 3 units in stock...got an invoice then an email apologize the 3 units where not (really) there. Susann tryed to upsell me to D406 but I prefure Nickel to brass (personal preference) when she found out I was trying to avoid brass color wheels the D405/1 came up...I said I like black BUT felt the crane combo of D405/1 was over priced but would pay X$ for it...she was by now heavily invested in this sale and except my offer.
So it seems Bruce's prediction that I would likely rework Wilesco crane before him was prophetic.
I could have saved even more going used but this will be a special build and I did not want to risk a damaged used model on this particular build.
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I would guess people are more likely to lie about a missing piece in a kit in hopes of getting a free spare part.
Or they broke/lost it themselves and to embarrassed to admit.
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I spoke with Susann at Ministeam about the price and she said D405 is on sale AND they have had issues with lost AND/OR missing parts in the D415 kit so the extra cost helps cover the hassle of selling kits. As suspected the D415 kit was out of stock. She did comment Wilesco plans a shipment soon but depending on air or boat this shipment may take some time to arrive.
I would guess people are more likely to lie about a missing piece in a kit in hopes of getting a free spare part.
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Weird thing with the price, over here the kit usually is a couple of bucks cheaper...nearly not enough to be noticed, but still cheaper.
Also Doug really must have made an amazing agreement with Wilesco, seing his standard TE is $25-30 cheaper than the best prices we can find over here.
I spoke with Susann at Ministeam about the price and she said D405 is on sale AND they have had issues with lost AND/OR missing parts in the D415 kit so the extra cost helps cover the hassle of selling kits. As suspected the D415 kit was out of stock. She did comment Wilesco plans a shipment soon but depending on air or boat this shipment may take some time to arrive.
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Weird thing with the price, over here the kit usually is a couple of bucks cheaper...nearly not enough to be noticed, but still cheaper.
Also Doug really must have made an amazing agreement with Wilesco, seing his standard TE is $25-30 cheaper than the best prices we can find over here.
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My first steam engine was the Old Smoky roller, assembled. A buddy the kit for his dad.
He looked in the box and asked, can you help me. It was fun and like Bruce and Jan said,
the kit for you is perfect.
I hope Doug isn't taking Ministeam down the same road that Yesteryear Toys went.
I used to get their four page fliers every month with great deals. Not anymore.
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So strange, ministeam has the kit version costing $15 more than the factory finished D405 so it Must be better!
In all seriousness it is unlikely they have any in stock.
Mini steam seams to be letting they're stock deplete.
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So strange, ministeam has the kit version costing $15 more than the factory finished D405 so it Must be better!
In all seriousness it is unlikely they have any in stock.
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Thanks for the input!
Well, I received a response from Uskin for my scale bits so it seems the gears of "fate" are turning. I am looking forward to this project!
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Agree completely, much easier and no risk of accidently damaging something in the process.
However, could save you some money going for a used one, which could help fund "extras" for the project.
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Ben , I gotta think this version is the perfect way to go for what you have planned , it would save you much time in the disasemmbly.
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Just wondering if there is any difference, areas that I might suspect is factory "may" have some rivets vs small fasteners and also steam pipes "may" be soldered vs screw ends with gasket. I want to modify a TE significantly and just wondering if I would be better off starting with a kit version. Thank you.[attachimg=1]