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: RichSteamTx on December 31, 2023, 10:10:34 am
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Nice job, Rich, It looks great!
Paula
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In SR1a news, I decided to get a the older style brass whistle. It is possible this SR1a came with with it. Photo of how the whistle arrived, blacken / frozen up solid, then on the SR1a cleaned/polished and opertional!
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What a treat! Great you guys got it running good again and thank you for showing it!
I ran the TE1A tractor I bought as a pre-teen around '76 so hard I wore it out. Then I ran it some more.
Mom was pretty good about her dorky kid running it in the house. ;)
This one was set up for the Esbit flat solid fuel tablets.
Very neat seeing the differences between the two styles.
I had it easy with a canopy tho, as I started to wear it out I installed (teenager hack-job) a Tinker Toy reduction pulley
to slow it down and give it some power back. Worked good. Hope this was OK Richard.
:-[ When I ran mine out of water it just burned some paint off the boiler. Oops.
Again, thank you!
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The new rivets came in from the UK yesterday and got them installed. My Arrow rivet tool kind of sucks ... I really need to get a better one and one that has more fittings for smaller rivets too.
The install for backplate of the cage to the boiler needed a bit more than installing the rivets. This is because the roller had a very hard hit from the back, which pushed in the backplate into the boiler - so it has a pretty bad indention. Perhaps the rivet would have seal it okay but I didn't want to try a 2nd time if it didn't.
- Permatex 90 Minute High-Temp #34628 on the boiler around the rivet holes.
- Red Fiber washer with Permatex on both sides for both holes.
- A bit of Permatex on the Rivet itself before inserting it into the backplate.
- After pushing the rivets into the backplate I put on a 3mm x 1mm O-Ring - this was to make up the slop between the inner washer and outer rivet.
- I also put some Permatex on the boilier/backplate just under the drain hole to help keep water from getting between them.
After waiting 90 minutes did a test run, perfectly sealed and runs great - job completed! YAY!
[attachimg=1]
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Thanks @Paula :-)
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Hi Rich,
Congratulations on bringing this Mamod roller back from the brink. Your persistence paid off in spades!
As far as being boring, I'm pretty sure that most people think everything we do here is boring. And I'm fine with that. (More engines for us!)
Anyway, nice job!
Paula
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Here is a pretty boring video (though perhaps my others ones are too) of the engine going in a circle for as long as it can. I got about 8 minutes 20 seconds. I have no idea how long it would run new but for me this is more than enough :-)
I have read they go 1/3 of a mile in a 10 minute run. Assuming that is true, losing 1 1/2 minutes isn’t bad for a ~55 year old toy. Heck it is hard for me to get to the mailbox and back in under 10 minutes! So I think the little roller is doing okay for its age :-D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb1ajELYmr8
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You guys are a bad influence LOL
I think I'll keep it original as possible. Though 20 years ago I would likely have gone Frankenstein on it!
Oh, in case anyone watched the videos and saw I swapped parts from my MM2 - it does run just fine with the SR1a's cylinder :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciHqFT2AVWU
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Thank you @Paula that is a very nice compliment!
Many years ago I worked for a company that made automation software for broadcasters (i.e. your local CBS/NBC/PBS stations). My first couple years I traveled all over the US, South America, and Europe installing our software product with various vendor hardware that went along with our software. So I would install the equipment in their facility, train the engineering staff ,and then operators. So I had to be able to talk with well educated engineers, upper station management and then lower skilled operators and schedulers. Even though I'm a pretty serious introvert, I'm pretty good at it (kind of weird if you ask me).
Anyways, it is interesting you brought up servos, I thought the same thing. I used to have tons of that stuff but gave it all away. But after playing with the steamroller a bit I discarded that idea - the engine gets way to hot and I doubt it could handle the added weight.
Excuse not excepted Rich ..... R/C gear weighs nothing these days and you could put it all in a water tender trailer away from the heat, with sleeved, flexible control rods actuating the mechanisms you wish to control.
Of course, if you really do prefer "Free Release" on the steam roller, or other mobiles, then that is a perfectly valid choice as well.
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Thank you @Paula that is a very nice compliment!
Many years ago I worked for a company that made automation software for broadcasters (i.e. your local CBS/NBC/PBS stations). My first couple years I traveled all over the US, South America, and Europe installing our software product with various vendor hardware that went along with our software. So I would install the equipment in their facility, train the engineering staff ,and then operators. So I had to be able to talk with well educated engineers, upper station management and then lower skilled operators and schedulers. Even though I'm a pretty serious introvert, I'm pretty good at it (kind of weird if you ask me).
Anyways, it is interesting you brought up servos, I thought the same thing. I used to have tons of that stuff but gave it all away. But after playing with the steamroller a bit I discarded that idea - the engine gets way to hot and I doubt it could handle the added weight.
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Neat videos, Rich! You could teach a seminar. :D
I love how the roller would go into a tight side-skid -- imagine a full size road roller doing that!
Next project: Obtain a small servo to attach to the front steering stem, for remote-control steering. You can do it! 8)
Paula
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And for the fun, Part III
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAR0IBU184Q
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Part II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJdSmveiaUs
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I did three videos talking about this little steamroller.
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2qvY5bzsk
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Ah, that's a better idea - though as fast as its going now forward I don't need to worry about it.
To get the "most" out of it, this is what I do:
1. Prop up the back and get her steamed up real good and fast.
2. Stop the engine, pop out the scuttle, blow out the fire and re-fill the tray with denatured alcohol.
3. Steam her back up on the desk and then put the engine on the floor to haul ass! I get a bit over a minute at a good deal of forward speed.
4. When it stops, put the cylinder in the "sweet" spot to build up steam.
5. Repeat until fire goes out.
Seems you only get max fire/heat/steam for a really good 1 or 2 runs. Basically after those first two runs it goes a little slower and for a shorter amount of time. Though once there isn't enough fuel to make steam, there really is very little water left in the tank. I have to say, the steamroller is pretty well balanced out not to run out of water with a fire still burning.
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Haha, no… I was suggesting twist it before the run, that way reverse now becomes forward since you said it runs better in reverse.
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Interesting tip, though you would burn the F**K out of your fingers trying that - the steamroller get's HOT
I think I am now pretty close to max speed... or as fast as I'd like it to be. I am getting older and don't want it to get away from me LOL
Here's the little guy drifting really good!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/anyw2ZsI08M
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Runs pretty darn good going forward now but still runs MUCH better/faster/longer going in reverse.
Put a twist in the belt to reverse direction ;)
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I do need a new driveway that's for sure, though I need to spend a arm & leg leveling my house first. Home ownership SUCKS!
Anyways, hopefully I haven't backed myself in a corner using those screws and not waiting for the rivets to arrive! I am still going to use my fiber washers between the firebox and tank. I am thinking I'll pick up some high-heat red RTV sealant. Kind of like a sandwich between the firebox, seal, tank, and rivet.
While the little guy is rather speedy, I only get about a minute. Then I can get another 3 or so runs if I let it build up some steam. Also, that speed lever doesn't do much, it is either "fast" going forward or reverse. The slower speed notches get net me nada. I suppose I should count myself lucky I got it moving at all LOL
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Nice run, Rich! [attachimg=1]
This should really help with your upcoming driveway repaving... [attachimg=2]
Paula
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That sure runs good..!!
I think I saw it drifting a little in the beginning in that tight circle.
Thanks for the show!
Gil
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Yep, those are the copper rivets - take care of the back of the firebox! If you don't, those two copper rivets will come loose and leak. The best that I could tell when I removed the rivets there wasn't any there to help seal the hole or between the firebox sheet metal and tank. I plan on putting in seals and sealant once I get my copper rivets from the UK.
When I put the engine back together earlier I forgot NOT to use the original piston. It also has a bend in it - this little guy has had a real ROUGH life! I bought a new cylinder with piston for a SR1a but the cylinder was a bit bigger. So they changed things but I was luckily that the piston was still the same size and put it into the original cylinder. Runs pretty darn good going forward now but still runs MUCH better/faster/longer going in reverse.
Here is a new video :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj_Nb___Fi8
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Hi Rich,
Are these the 2 rivets in question?
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That does seem like an odd method of construction, unless they used some means at the factory to seal the joint when it was clinched. I've seen boilers that were constructed with rivets, and then the seams and rivets are sealed with solder on the outside of the boiler. But that's a different situation, of course.
Paula
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well, I decided to use some #8 metal screws until the rivets come in. Getting a lot of steam loss from the port side / cylinder when going forward, so forward isn't all that great. But it trucks it pretty fast in reverse!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQYXBktly8
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I got the SR1a steamroller in yesterday from my brother and started looking at all the bits that might be causing it to run slow. What I found is that the firebox has two copper rivets under the water level plug on the backside. These rivets actually go into the steam tank and are leaking under the water line. Not sure how my brother overlooked this.
At the backside, top, the two regular rivets were busted when he got it, since it was dropped/smashed from the back side - so it makes a bit of sense these two copper rivets were compromised. Personally I don't think it's a good idea to use rivets going into a steam tank! Seem like they would easily cause leaks with no easy options to seal them up. I thought about trying to use a metal screw but decided to try and use new copper rivets. I am trying to think of a way to add a additional seal between the tank and firebox, though not sure what I'll use.
So I have ordered new rivets from the UK and I went the route of ordering a crap ton (bulk of 10), more than I should ever need (all three sizes/types). So more waiting! Getting pretty close of running over this little engine with my car LOL
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Got another update last night. It seems the replacement cylinder that is suppose to work for the SR1a (among others) the cylinder is larger/heavier. The good news is the piston seems to fit properly in the old cylinder. Though while the engine appears to run pretty darn good in forward/reverse positions but once the band is put on for the rear wheel it stalls out. My brother is trying to find where the power loss is coming from but likely more problems with the engine being dropped/smashed.
Kind of a bummer, so the SR1a is starting to look like a loss. He says he'll likely get back tinkering on it Sunday, so at least he hasn't given up, yet. The funny thing, after all the parts I have had sent to him I could have picked up a real nice one from eBay!
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This little guy is pretty special to me. I am very excited for my brother to finish it up and get it to me. I also like that Weeden steamroller at lot, though I wouldn't say I am in to rollers (I'm a Empire guy through and through). But on the other hand if more drop into my lap I would be a very happy boy! It seem in the last month or so its been raining steam toys from odd places. The best part really is they came to me because someone thought, I think Richard would like this.
Now if I win the lotto, I am buying any kind of steam engine I can find ha!
It's a shame about that Mamod tractor - I'd be really bummed! Though I am a bit more impressed you did your Christmas shopping at F.A.O. Schwartz! I've been to that store a few times myself before it closed (I think it reopened?). I even have a photo with my daughter on that cool piano when I took her to NYC to see Wicked.
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That's a great story of how you wound up with the Mamod roller. Nice work! (Becoming a "roller guy" now?)
I have a special fondness for the Mamod vehicles. At just about the same time that your roller was new, I purchased the Mamod tractor version of that roller from (wait for it...) F.A.O. Schwartz! It was a Christmas gift for my little brother. I was trying to get him interested in my hobby, but it never "took". He acted grateful, but I eventually wound up with custody of the little steam tractor. I don't know whatever happened to it -- When my parents split up, a lot of things went in different directions, and I don't remember last time I saw it.
Anyway, seeing your little roller running brings back some nice memories!
Paula
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Getting closer! My brother tested the engine with air and found the piston was to bent and it had to be replaced. So I had to order a new one from the UK. It came in yesterday and also the scuttle/burner came in a few days ago. So now she will steam up! Though he then found more bits around the bracket for the piston was out of whack and he is trying to get it bent back into place. Also it seems the throttle is worn out and will move on its own but he thinks he has that problem sorted. He also says the whistle (which is new too) doesn't whistle but he says his SR1a doesn't whistle either. Perhaps the Mamod whistles suck....
Here is a little video, 1st time it has been under steam in 40+ years - so progress has been made! You can see the throttle move and then the engine slow down.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AEtCtrkdIOw
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Hi Rich, You are still having fun in Texas. Thanks for the update!
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Classic and fun little rollers...you will enjoy it!
Roger
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In SR1a news, it is coming together! It now has the steering rod, new whistle, belt, and the pressure value has new seals. The scuttle on the back is from my brother's SR1a that he picked up from a antique shop in the East Texas area. I have one coming via UK eBay that is from the late 60s / early 70s that has a spirit burner.
He was also able to repair the backend that was busted up and put in new rivets.
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This is a interesting story. I have known about this engine since about 1987, it is my college buddy and roommate's Mamod Steamroller SR1a. His grandparents raised him and I remember seeing it in his grandfathter's garage and pining over it. I clearly remember asking him if I could have it. I think he would have given it to me but his grandfather said no! It was bought in 1969~1970 in England when they were stationed over there for a few years.
Fast forward to 2023, it seems my brother (seems he remembered it too) reached out to my buddy on Facebook and it was mailed to him. It needed some work as it had been dropped pretty hard. It is also missing the scuttle/burner, whistle, and steering rod. My brother repaired the drop damage and then had me find the missing parts. Between eBay and UK model stores all the parts have been ordered to get it running again. I went with a spirit burner, as I think that would be correct for this engine but really not sure.
I don't have it yet but should have it late January or early Feb! I think it will look nice next to my newly aquired Mamod Minor 2 Steam Engine.