Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Collections & Pictures => Topic started by: RichSteamTx on October 19, 2024, 04:12:00 pm
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With respect - I beg to differ on the brass screws - nearly all of my Empire’s brass throttles are bent or twisted. I had @Paula work on one and she mentioned brass being the problem with the prolonged heat. So I tend to believe her but that’s all I really know.
I just bought a butt load of Weedens off eBay, not a 672 but other nice examples with an electric motor & accessories. Ugh, so much for not buying more but it’s a nice package deal.
Thanks for the photos Charlie - you have one with a governor? So I assume no earlier than 1935
I do not have one with the governor.
But, I will keep my eye out for one after seeing yours.
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With respect - I beg to differ on the brass screws - nearly all of my Empire’s brass throttles are bent or twisted. I had @Paula work on one and she mentioned brass being the problem with the prolonged heat. So I tend to believe her but that’s all I really know.
I just bought a butt load of Weedens off eBay, not a 672 but other nice examples with an electric motor & accessories. Ugh, so much for not buying more but it’s a nice package deal.
Thanks for the photos Charlie - you have one with a governor? So I assume no earlier than 1935
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And here are two pictures of mine (without the governor and no throttle control):
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This is from the Weeden Book by Kenneth Trobaugh.
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Boiling water temperature heat is not going to bend a brass screw!
If the thread on the screw Charlie has linked to is likely correct, I'd jump on that opportunity as it also is a lucky "Lightning Strike" to find what you might need!!!
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Hey Charlie -
I saw that on eBay but I don't think that is a good replacement for this 670. For one the thumb knob bit isn't correct for this engine, it seems some 670's (like mine) have a "rubber" like bit around the knob. Also, I am not impressed with the brass screw, as that will bend on its own over time from the heat. Which is a problem with the Empire throttle screws that are brass from the factory.
I got my straighten enough, so it works okay now but thank you for the suggestion!
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Replacement Weeden screw available on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256670612814?_skw=weeden+steam+engine+parts&itmmeta=01JAT6B0V6EWC1RZWGDSK2FQ08&hash=item3bc2c2bd4e:g:Wk0AAOSwU3JlDzT3&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKnX5knQGCjEiSd5JXjFOL2QhF%2FFx54IpCclmNs%2F%2B%2FgfhEZMieA7bB2pT6eiATNrYbdOJ9IhLKwocto4A77JzXUAFQvKtMPZxennvpV64kMO8w4K3mVurM9lAPLbkhThNf2XmVwoScoXr6C8GF7vTv8O3oLDT69T2xdH3Nm3ACCDhCLC6KDgl2Aaj53Al230aIPKgiLHXI4Zr6DTKxu3NdiIOcF3yY2ucwyc5OFwhFT388Scq2BE9BzgPH7MhcTf2no%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR96NrMbWZA (https://www.ebay.com/itm/256670612814?_skw=weeden+steam+engine+parts&itmmeta=01JAT6B0V6EWC1RZWGDSK2FQ08&hash=item3bc2c2bd4e:g:Wk0AAOSwU3JlDzT3&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKnX5knQGCjEiSd5JXjFOL2QhF%2FFx54IpCclmNs%2F%2B%2FgfhEZMieA7bB2pT6eiATNrYbdOJ9IhLKwocto4A77JzXUAFQvKtMPZxennvpV64kMO8w4K3mVurM9lAPLbkhThNf2XmVwoScoXr6C8GF7vTv8O3oLDT69T2xdH3Nm3ACCDhCLC6KDgl2Aaj53Al230aIPKgiLHXI4Zr6DTKxu3NdiIOcF3yY2ucwyc5OFwhFT388Scq2BE9BzgPH7MhcTf2no%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR96NrMbWZA)
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Looking around at Weeden 672 Horizontal on the internets, seems they had two different variations of these too - with and without governor. I think I found one photo of a 672 with governor, I am guessing they are a bit rarer and perhaps the 672 rarer than the 670 all around? Yes, I now want a nice/complete example of the 672 to have next to my 670 - thanks for that @Nick LOL
Anyways, I know the 670 was made between the 30s~40s from weeden.com. The differences I seen in these (other than the governor) is the brass tag and then a paper label. Might the labeling help place a closer time frame when it was built? Perhaps a brass tag means it was made closer to the start of the run, in the 30s? My brain would say they moved to a paper tag for cost, thus the ones with a paper label would be at the end of their run. But it could also mean the labeling was random or perhaps only in 1940 did they use the paper version for the label! Any Weeden peeps have a opinion?
Back to the 672 - I think I'll be waiting/looking a long time for lightning to strike a 2nd time to find one that will look as nice as my 670!
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Have fun in NYC! The weather is beautiful today and, yes, Coney Island is only
a hop, skip, and jump from Sheepshead Bay. Enjoy your stay, enjoy the aquarium,
and try some of the rides. You must go on the Wonder Wheel, a special sort of
Ferris Wheel, to get an unforgettable view of southern Brooklyn and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Cyclone, small by today's standards, is still an unforgettable ride. Not smooth
like modern, computer designed, roller-coasters. Memorable.
Have fun,
Wayne
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Hey Wayne,
My daughter & her mom are flying from Austin, Tx and then I am flying from Atlanta, GA tomorrow (we all meet at LaGuardia). Her 21st Bday is on Tuesday and we all return back home on Wednesday - so its just a quick trip up to NYC and back. We are staying at a Marriott in the Chelsea area, most of our Tuesday will likely be around the Coney Island area (she wants to go to the Aquarium). Then that night we are having birthday dinner at The Grill.
If I used the map properly, Sheepshead Bay is near Coney Island!
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Did you say you were visiting your daughter in NYC. Today? It's a beautiful day for visiting and
good weather will continue for the foreseeable future!
What neighborhood? I'm in Sheepshead Bay. It's an awfully big city but you never know - she could
be my neighbor!
Happy visiting,
Wayne
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Hey @Nick - thank you, she is a beauty. It could hardly be more perfect example of Weeden of this type. I've ran it twice and I can't believe the sight glass isn't at least weeping water/steam. I am not even going to polish it. It might pop a little more if I did but not really seeing the point after wiping it down with my microfiber towel.
As for branching out, don't go encouraging me - this was a special case LOL
Ugh, why did you have to bring up the 672, getting one would really look nice next to the 670!
Edit: Post test run, very minor clean up.
[attach=1]
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Definitely an attractive engine with the nickel plating. Good to see you branching out to other brands, can’t wait to see the collection grow 😜
Now you need a 672 to go with it…
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You bet, great running engine - I'd say it was a great buy!
Funny, it crossed my mind that my shoes were matching my project! They are Converse and I have many colors ;-)
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It don't get much better than that, now does it!
NICE!!!
It is usually best to have the whistle handle on the back side of the whistle, away from the whistle port, as it tends to be easier on the fingers that way.
Looks like an Empire/Weeden color coordinated pair of Converse, Chuck Taylor All-Stars, or similar knock-off tennis shoes you are sporting there Rich?!?! ;c)
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All my cords are in Texas, I'm in Atlanta, Ga now (in Midtown) - along with 99.999% of my tools and supplies! Though I didn't think to see if Home Depot had any of these old kettle cords. My daughter will be bringing a "care package" to me tomorrow when we meet in NYC for her 21st Bday.
Edit:
One she gets to full heat/steam and I turn her off, she'll run a pretty long time on the residual steam/heat!
She runs - here's a short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKsz2zWObgw
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What's with this talk of alligator clips and scrounged cord?
Any good hardware or appliance store is going to have just the correct cord you need, or just borrow one from your many Empires!
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As a rule, I don't collect Weeden's either but I couldn't pass this one up. I wouldn't be surprised if this model was Weeden's answer to Empire's engine line. Though seeing a seamed tank seems bizarre to me, they spend all that time and addition cost on the rest of the engine and saved on the tank? It would not be very forgiving if you ran low on water.
As for the heater having asbestos under it, likely. I didn't get close to it or touch it, that's for sure. I'd image if a Weeden collector popped in they could answer that. I wonder if a Jenson heater could be made to work under this tank, seems likely. Hopefully I don't have to ever worry about that!
While I was digging around in my little hand tool bag, I found that I put some alligator wire clips in the side pouch. I don't have a power cord to cut and I dug around in the apartment's trash bin for a cord that someone might have thrown away (I have no shame). I need to head to Publix for some shopping, I might see if I can buy a cheap extension cord to cut. Alligator wire is only about 22 AWG, so not ideal for the heater's load but should will work for a bit and with care. So don't be surprised if I have a video soon (or perhaps you'll never hear from me again because I set myself on fire).
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I don't collect Weeden, but that certainly is a nice example. It looks like it wasn't steamed very much. Is that asbestos under the heating elements?
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Hi Wayne - hope you are doing well!
I saw your video on YouTube not long ago and hope to have one of mine running later in the week. I wondered about yours and ones I've seen on eBay with the plug under the sight glass, that just not the base being installed backwards? I didn't take the base off mine but there are two screws for it under the base that leads me to believe it is removable. If that is how it came from the factory, that is really strange and I agree - not so good to be under the sight glass!
It seems the 670 version with the governor, the pressure valve is a little fancier, the throttle is painted red and it has rubber-ish outside edge. I haven't seen a 670 that is 100% complete and in nice of shape as this one I picked up.
Another thing to mention, the movement on this engine is superb. I haven't even oiled it (because I haven't any here); it's smooth as silk and very little slop. Not only did someone take care of this engine (or it was carefully stored) and I'm pretty sure it wasn't ran much in its 80+ years of life.
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Nice catch, very clean example. A throttle and pseudo-governor are nice as
not all 670's have them. An original chimney is really unusual, a real rarity.
I hope you get it running soon. A video would be nice.
At the risk of being a bit forward I added a video of mine on a slow-run steamup.
https://youtu.be/SY4-CvYtXOE
There is also a longer video of it running faster.
The throttle screw is a new one (from ebay) and does work fairly well. I wouldn't complain.
Interestingly, mine has a plug-receptacle under the sight-glass, different from yours. I've
seen pix of it both ways, but the plug shouldn't be under an occasionally drippy sightglass.
Good Luck,
Wayne
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I pulled my little bag of hand tools out, it isn't hard to pull apart to get to the heater but care must be taken because the steam line isn't really removable. I assume the white stuff on the coils is original and used to keep them from moving. To me it seems to be in good shape but I really don't have anything to compare it with. Totally different design from a Empire. The use of mica is the same as a Empire. Though there are only two sheets. The one on the coils has broken through a bit but the 2nd one is okay. Personally I'd like to see one more sheet, perhaps two more.
I was surprised to see the tank has a seam. To my eye it seems okay but this tank doesn't give me warm and fuzzies that's for sure.
I still want to test it with my meter but have to wait until I get it from my daughter. I'll have grab some of my mice sheets too to bring to me.
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I agree, a pretty good score!
I got the screw somewhat straighten out or enough to where it can now reach the steam line. I still can't get over how clean this engine is, here are some close of photos of the bits from the top of the tank.
Someone took care of this engine for a very long time.
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Yep ...... that's a real beauty all right!!!
Nice Score!
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Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of Weeden engines but when I saw this Weeden 670 on the Goodwill Online auction site I couldn't pass it up. All in, it cost me $180.00 - I think that is a pretty good deal. It is really hard to believe someone would drop a item like this off at a Goodwill... crazy!
From Weeden.com
The Weeden No. 670 (https://weedensteam.com/nickelhoriz.html#670) is an electrically heated reversible engine with a 3 1/2" diameter balance wheel with a 1/2" wide face, cylinder bore is 7/16". It is 8" tall, base is 6 3/4" X 9 1/2". It was introduced in 1930 and produced until 1940. Certain models were equipped with a governor.
Back in July I moved from Austin to Midtown Atlanta and I didn't bring any of my items that I collect (or tools/supplies). All that stuff is at my Texas house, my daughter is keeping up my place there with all my crap. The good news is, I'll be meeting my daughter in NYC with her mom to celebrate her 21st bday. I am going to have her bring some things with her so I can test, repair, and hopefully steam up this Weeden 670.
Other than not knowing if the heater is bad, the only problem is the throttle screw is slightly bent. I did give it a light cleaning with soapy water but that's it. The best that I can tell this is a survivor. If someone repainted it in the last 80+ years, they did a fine job.
Hope you guys like it and wish me some luck on getting it steamed up!
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