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: Anotherhobby on August 18, 2025, 02:25:52 pm
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I had to bite the bullet and strip completely back, due to the really bad old paint work. I then re blued the boiler to make it look as near to original as possible, it's not perfect but a big improvement.
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Well Stoker gave the conclusive idea, a magnet, so simple I never thought of it. The result is non magnetic.
So, I'll come back to the boiler. My question now is the fittings, are most of them screwed in or soldered? they don't leak and they are pretty firm. I can see the gauge looks soldered and the safety valve is screwed but the other 2 fittings I'm not sure of. I'm reluctant to disturb a nice tight fitting but to make a better job of the boiler I really need the fitting removed.
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Using a magnet is an obvious and brilliant suggestion. Shame on me for not thinking of that.
Eager to see progress as you tackle this project. My budget has been zero lately, so I'm enjoying the hobby vicariously through others.
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One thing to keep in mind is that in the firearms industry, the bluing that is applied to barrels, actions and other parts is known as "Rust Bluing" and so quite possibly could revert to a rust appearance if stored in an inappropriate environment, even if the boiler is in fact brass. It could well be that it is just the bluing that has returned to rust!?!?
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Good luck with your work and the magnet test. Pray for brass.
I have a Weeden pumper with a steel boiler but it is really cheap,
tinny, junk and RUSTED THROUGH on the bottom. I tried to resolder\
it but it was hopeless. I run it on air.
I think I was watching this engine on an auction site. Which
one was it on?
Good Luck,
Wayne
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I belive that the boiler is made from brass - but there could
be surface rust caused by improper storage in an "iron-rich" environment.
Only solution would be sanding and new blueing.
Arnold
NB. good luck with your restoration
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Never heard of a Falk with a steel boiler, especially on a larger model like this. I believe you are seeing brass where the bluing has worn through which gives the appearance of rust.
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Just put a magnet up against that boiler. If it is iron or steel that will tell you in a hurry!
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Love threads like this, take heaps of pics...... Looking forward to seeing your progress.
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Sorry for the multiple posts...I'm getting obsessed about this rust issue.
Here is another Falk engine that has similar though less severe rust: https://i.etsystatic.com/15447190/r/il/09192e/6663786440/il_1588xN.6663786440_ceke.jpg
I suspect the black paint exasperated the rust issue on your 145/1, compared to this engine.
The overtop engine in the photo is for sale for $226.77, if anyone's interested:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1863848098/antique-early-josef-falk-jf-toy-steam
Enough for now, I've got to organize supper. Best of luck!
Paul
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I asked Google and this is what they said:
"In addition to the commonly used brass boilers, some Falk toy steam engines did incorporate steel into their boilers.
While brass was a popular and cost-effective choice for early toy steam engines, steel was also used, particularly in later models or specific designs where its strength and durability were desired.
Steel boilers, though more expensive to manufacture than brass, offered increased strength and could potentially provide better support for other engine components."
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I'm not well versed in FALK engines, so I'd have to defer to others about that. Perhaps this was made during the war when brass was in short supply so steel was used instead?
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Paul, yes I know how to remove rust but I thought these were brass boilers?
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I would suggest electrolysis as a means to remove the rust. When you're down to bare metal you can re-blue the boiler.
There are a number of how-to videos on YouTube. Here's a quick demo: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RoN1CN1Iy8k
Here is are a few more detailed videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i-GUWQx_fQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ADeB6V1rQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKZv14-K71g
Best of luck!
Paul
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I'm not sure what I'm goind to do with the boiler. I don't want to polish it, but I've never seen this rust apperance before. I can't leave it like that.
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Good luck with that. I am looking forward to seeing it when you’re done.
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I quite liked this Joseph Falk that needs some work. It's been painted with some horrible black paint. I have begun to carefully strip it off just using a paint stripper solution ans some Scotchbrite. it's coming off slowly and it's not scratching the boiler I'm just hoping I can get it back to blue. I'll add more photos.
While I can see some bluing it's looks rusty, obviously it's not rust but it has that colour. were the band were it's nice and blue because that area never got paint.