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: SteamTech on February 15, 2024, 12:27:52 am
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The boiler burner wasn’t as bad as I thought after I got it out of the ultrasound bath. I’m going to fire it up soon and see if it’s usable. I am going to clean these fire Tubes up before going back together. Hydrostatic tested to 200 psi. No leaks or pressure loss after an hour. Coming along slowly and steady. I kid you not this boiler weighs at least 50 pounds.
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I wonder if that engine was set up to fire with household natural gas, like was used for lighting fixtures back at the turn of the prior century?
It certainly looks like a standard gas valve fitting of that era.
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I've always had good luck with 50% ATF automatic transmission fluid and 50% acetone mixed together for penetrant that's a beautiful engine you found!!!
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Okay, So I got the Plant home. And I checked the engine, and one or both pistons are stuck. So I guess my first move to get that freed up. Suggestions requested. I'm thinking that I need to take the caps off the cylinders and maybe let them soak a bit in either Marvel Mystic or Aerokroil. Only thing I've seen so far. I'll admit I am a little bit bewildered at the gas tank for the heater system. I'm thinking its a custom built tank made out of a pancake air compressor tank. There is a regulator valve and a pressure relief valve. IF it ran on something besides butane or propane, I cant see any normal means of filling it. That big bronze valve to the right of the water tank in the picture goes into the gas tank. and the regulator and pop off are on the left side of the water tank, both piped into the bottom (fuel?) tank. Nothing I see to re-fill the tank with gas or liquid fuel other than that valve on the right side. I will be working on it next week and will try and get you some pictures that are more informative after I begin to disassemble the whole thing. I have some ideas on using the current plinth but I this I may just make a new one out of something thicker and more substantial. It will have to be on a slight elevated plinth because of the condenser drain and the boiler jet coming in from under the bottom. I want to see how quickly I can get this engine checked and freed up next week. There are also a lot of check valve to be checked out, Hydrostatic test on boiler, etc. that has to be inspected and checked before I can attempt to fire it up. Thanks for any and all suggestions as to checking this whole plant out. I making plenty of pictures before I start disassembling the engine and Plant. I hope this finds each of you doing well!
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Well, It's 1am, I'm up and didn't need an alarm clock! I headed 390 miles and hope my excitement doesn't get me a ticket. I received more pictures that I will share. I will also share some when I lay eyes on it and part with my money!
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Much of this looks newer than what your Wm. Hoskins might have made. Very creative combination of old and newer components.
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I’m think you might be right. I may just dress it up a bit or make it more sturdy.
Anyone recognize the engine make. It looks custom built too.
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I agree with Stoker, leave as is.
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You know .... having read that Bio again, I'm wondering if this may have been some form of demonstrator set-up for him, and if so, I would not want to change anything about it including the strangely spread-out mounting board. This original configuration may in fact be HISTORIC at some level, and best kept as original?!?!
More research needs to be done with this before taking any irreversible steps .... IMHO!
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Check this out! He was even in Chicago, Illinois. I think this guy possibly could have built something with those ends on it.
William Hoskins (1862–1934)[1][2][3] was an American inventor, chemist, electrical engineer, and entrepreneur in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most active in Chicago, Illinois. He became the co-inventor in 1897 of modern billiard chalk with professional carom billiards player William A. Spinks.[4][5] He is, however, best known for the invention of the electric heating coil (the basis for numerous ubiquitous household and industrial appliances, including electric stoves, space heaters, and toasters) and the invention of the first electric toaster.[6][7]
It does say Chicago Ill. right on the endcap casting of the center tank. What a fascinating fellow he was! That mini-biography certainly adds interest to the steam plant as a whole, and vastly increases potential pride of ownership ...... it would for me anyway!
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A very cool Steam Plant.
I am looking forward to seeing it Steaming Away.
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Check this out! He was even in Chicago, Illinois. I think this guy possibly could have built something with those ends on it.
William Hoskins (1862–1934)[1][2][3] was an American inventor, chemist, electrical engineer, and entrepreneur in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most active in Chicago, Illinois. He became the co-inventor in 1897 of modern billiard chalk with professional carom billiards player William A. Spinks.[4][5] He is, however, best known for the invention of the electric heating coil (the basis for numerous ubiquitous household and industrial appliances, including electric stoves, space heaters, and toasters) and the invention of the first electric toaster.[6][7]
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That is a cool engine, nice find & buy!
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I think the water tank ends might have once been on a brass sausage stuffer, I kid you not!
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Walnut might be Cheaper than mahogany, not a bad idea!
@railsforever….you will soon!
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Wow, that is beautiful! Nice buy/find. Would love to see it in action in a video. ;D
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First let me say that I'm totally gobsmacked just looking at that beauty!
Never heard of Wm. Hoskins, but it is obvious he did some fabulous work in the long ago!!
Mahogony would look good, but I think the darker shades of walnut would do very well too and perhaps a much tighter gathering of all the elements to sort of bring it all together, but any of that is your choice of course!!!
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I bought this one today locally. I have much testing and inspection to do next week. I hope to get finished with that and operate it some the latter part of next week. It the biggest plant I’ve bought yet. I would love to hear what you all think I need to do to display or arrange it appropriately. I see a lot on Mohogany its future!..🤣🤣
Be well my friends!
Steam Tech