Since I finally got the closet cleaned out I've been able to start looking at five steam plants I've had for years and years, two Cheddar, two Stuart and one Jensen. I started with the easiest a Cheddar "Pipit Electricity Generating Set" per my catalog. I don't think I've ever seen a dirtier steam plant as it was coated with oil to the point it looked (and felt) like grease....don't think it was ever wiped down after running (the pictures don't do it justice). The good thing was that everything worked, even the generator which was broken off it's base, so all I had to do was scrape the grease and dirt off, fix the generator, polish the brass mounting plate and make a new walnut base for it. Not a big restoration but a start for me as I've never done more than one or two in the past. I did spray the brass mounting plate with Rust-oleum High Heat Ceramic Coating (good up to 2000 degrees) - hope it works as I intend to use it on the Stuart boilers. Oh, and I got a new burner from Clevedon Steam (nice people) to replace the old one which was set up to use a rubber hose for the butane/propane gas which I don't think is a good idea.
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A very nice looking steam plant Larry.
It looks much better now Larry, nice work.
Wow, what a difference!
That was some messy work, I bet. Looks great now!
Paula
That cleaned up well. Very nice!
That one was the very definition of "GUNKY" Larry, but you've certainly got it cleaned up and shining very nicely!
Thanks for all the nice comments. Although I realize it was nothing major in the way of a restoration it was a step up for me as I usually just collect and not much more. Am looking forward to the next one which isn't a big deal either but will be satisfying I'm sure. Thanks again!
Great clean-up, Larry!
Looks so good compared to before pictures.
Gil