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: RedRyder on July 06, 2024, 05:15:45 pm

Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 11, 2024, 03:29:29 pm
I’m new to the hobby (didn’t buy one yet) but I can appreciate the Jensen. It’s great that you refurbished the classic 50. It really looks excellent! Folks like yourself are what’s bringing me into the hobby!
Thank you and Welcome Aboard...!!!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: 1stimestm on July 10, 2024, 11:04:16 am
I’m new to the hobby (didn’t buy one yet) but I can appreciate the Jensen. It’s great that you refurbished the classic 50. It really looks excellent! Folks like yourself are what’s bringing me into the hobby!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:34:22 am
Cleans up well, very nice work Gil.
Thanks, Travis!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:33:19 am
I must say , that's pretty nice !
Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:28:02 am
Quite a journey Gil.

Excellent outcome.
Thank you very much, Charlie!

Yes, a long journey. 

I am beginning work on one with even a longer journey.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:25:51 am
What an amazing looking plant...
Well done Gil!
Thanks for the kind words, Jan!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:24:38 am
Beautifully done restoration!!!
Thank you!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:22:55 am
Looks great
 Your decal is it one of the old style ( water slide ) from many moons ago ?
 I have some 70 year old Cranko water slides and i also stuffed one up in cold water .
 I resorted to warm to hot water and leave in water untill i see it lifting.
Then gently lifted with fine tweezers and placed where needed .

Cheers
Dennis
Thanks, Dennis!

I'll give it another go with a decal. Thanks for the tips.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:20:17 am
Wonderful resto there Gil!
Thanks, Jim!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:18:22 am
Wow, a Jensen 50 with a riveted boiler! It's like Park Place and Boardwalk all in one package!  Very nice. Superb restoration as it still has some age but it doesn't look all rusty and neglected.

Was the old pressure gauge frozen? From what you can see on the pictures it looks like it had a cool, old style pointer.
Thanks, Doug!

The old pressure gauge is likely on another early Jensen 50.
I know it was a good one because you can see it working in this video from 2012 prior to restoration.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DGEWLzXbbg
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 10, 2024, 08:10:06 am
Excellent work, Gil! There’s nothing finer than a riveted boiler 50!
Thanks Mike!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Steamburns on July 09, 2024, 11:43:34 pm
Cleans up well, very nice work Gil. 
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: D E Jones on July 08, 2024, 04:28:46 pm
I must say , that's pretty nice !
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: txlabman on July 08, 2024, 08:17:51 am
Quite a journey Gil.

Excellent outcome.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: classixs on July 08, 2024, 01:51:34 am
What an amazing looking plant...
Well done Gil!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Fullraceflathead on July 08, 2024, 12:16:00 am
Beautifully done restoration!!!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Scorpion2nz on July 08, 2024, 12:11:24 am
Looks great
 Your decal is it one of the old style ( water slide ) from many moons ago ?
 I have some 70 year old Cranko water slides and i also stuffed one up in cold water .
 I resorted to warm to hot water and leave in water untill i see it lifting.
Then gently lifted with fine tweezers and placed where needed .

Cheers
Dennis
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Jim on July 07, 2024, 05:58:47 pm
Wonderful resto there Gil!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: krypto31337 on July 07, 2024, 05:03:06 pm
Wow, a Jensen 50 with a riveted boiler! It's like Park Place and Boardwalk all in one package!  Very nice. Superb restoration as it still has some age but it doesn't look all rusty and neglected.

Was the old pressure gauge frozen? From what you can see on the pictures it looks like it had a cool, old style pointer.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Junkologist on July 07, 2024, 03:19:16 pm
Excellent work, Gil! There’s nothing finer than a riveted boiler 50!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 02:38:09 pm
Excellent restoration! It shines in many ways!
Thanks, Bret!  I appreciate the kudos.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 02:35:55 pm
A great example of, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well"
Well stated, Frank. Thank you!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 02:35:21 pm
Just a spectacular restoration, Gil! Bravo!
Thanks for the kind words, Jim!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Steamloco on July 07, 2024, 12:13:43 pm
Excellent restoration! It shines in many ways!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Weedensteam on July 07, 2024, 11:12:35 am
A great example of, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well"
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: skeptic49 on July 07, 2024, 10:11:56 am
Just a spectacular restoration, Gil! Bravo!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 09:12:14 am
Man that Shines ................... That Truly SHINES!!!

.... and I ain't just talkin' about the plating either!
Thanks, Daniel!

I thought the wood might be too shiny. However I do like that look. I can add a coat of semi-gloss clear at anytime if needed.

No, I'm not talking about any shiny finish of any part of it ..... I'm talking about the whole deal, and SHINE is not meant to refer to any reflected light, but only to the stellar qualities of the whole package, the overall beauty that lights up my eyes!!!
I am pleased to bring forth the light!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Stoker on July 07, 2024, 07:54:11 am
Man that Shines ................... That Truly SHINES!!!

.... and I ain't just talkin' about the plating either!
Thanks, Daniel!

I thought the wood might be too shiny. However I do like that look. I can add a coat of semi-gloss clear at anytime if needed.

No, I'm not talking about any shiny finish of any part of it ..... I'm talking about the whole deal, and SHINE is not meant to refer to any reflected light, but only to the stellar qualities of the whole package, the overall beauty that lights up my eyes!!!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 06:31:29 am
Came out very nice
Congrats Gil

Arnold
Thanks, Arnold!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 07, 2024, 06:30:28 am
Man that Shines ................... That Truly SHINES!!!

.... and I ain't just talkin' about the plating either!
Thanks, Daniel!

I thought the wood might be too shiny. However I do like that look. I can add a coat of semi-gloss clear at anytime if needed.
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: tenniV11 on July 07, 2024, 04:26:32 am
Came out very nice
Congrats Gil

Arnold
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: Stoker on July 06, 2024, 08:12:53 pm
Man that Shines ................... That Truly SHINES!!!

.... and I ain't just talkin' about the plating either!
Title: Re: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 06, 2024, 05:35:35 pm
Now for the recent photos...

I still need to locate a new blowdown valve as the one that came with it has terrible threads. I know I have one here somewhere.

I removed nearly all the rust from the firebox and chimney stand lip. With an eye towards leaving the original paint alone rather than repainting where the paint is mostly good, I applied Gun Blue to the exposed clean metal which makes it a lot easier on the eye.

Used 2 new site glass blocks along with all the 1950's parts and I believe (and hope) it is leakproof.

Installed a new adapter nipple to connect the feed water tube to the boiler.

Put an extra bend in the feed water tube to make up for the board being narrower when it was pressed together to make up for the shrinkage over the last 70 or so years.

The decal is just resting there. I destroyed one after a soak while trying to remove it from it's backing.

Enjoy!

Gil


[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]
Title: Jensen #50 Born Again.... Project On Hold For 12 Years Finally Approaching the Finish Line
Post by: RedRyder on July 06, 2024, 05:15:45 pm
This piece arrived here 12 years ago. Our friend Bill acquired it and had it shipped here in early August 2012.

The pictures will tell a lot of the story.

One breadboard end missing from the wood base.

Several Rivets had corroded away. I replaced and nickel plated them.

A major road block was me not locating a good wood worker to make the necessary repairs to the wood. I not only had him repair it but also had him reproduce a few extra wood bases.

It feels good bringing this project to the home stretch.

A few of you may remember...
Some years after it was safely stored here at the Office of Steam, some slimeball who lifted the eBay pictures and description ran some fraudulent Craigslist ads claiming he was located on one of the tiny islands off the coast of England. Alexinsuffolk let us all know about it when he asked me if I thought it was a good buy and if it was likely real or fraud.


I will begin with some pictures as it arrived.

Gil


[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

[attachimg=9]

[attachimg=10]

[attachimg=11]

[attachimg=12]