Author Topic: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues (Read 2218 times)

Paula · « **Reply #30 on:** September 04, 2022, 11:22:38 am »

Thanks! I made the sealing washer from some kind of sheet gasket material, using a set of round gasket punches. I don't remember where I got the material. It's brown, and about 1/16" thick.

I forgot to mention about the pressure test setup... I replaced the gauge shown with a 0-30 PSI gauge. I figured it would be more accurate than the 0-160 PSI gauge.

Paula

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #31 on:** September 04, 2022, 11:24:09 am »

Ah, I have wished I had round gasket punches a zillion times this past month (and material too)! You must have a nice shop setup!

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2023, 09:13:42 am »

Quote from: steamwhistle on July 19, 2021, 12:53:23 pm

Thanks for the advise on the heater. I've read elsewhere within the forum of folks re-building the heater by purchasing ni-chrome wire and mica sheets too. If there's some suggestions on wire size, number of turns, etc. I may give that a try. Otherwise, I found a 2.5" Jensen blanket heater on their parts site that I'm guessing may work.

Last evening I disassembled the boiler from the base and heater. The whistle came off easily; however, while being very careful, one of the site glass fittings came apart.

It seems the fittings thread into the boiler?

It doesn't appear the tube from the boiler threads into the angle fitting?

I'm guessing this to can be repaired?

(Attachment Link)

Thanks in advance for being patient with a novice . . . this is really pretty fun stuff.

Jeff

Well, I have ran into the same problem on a "new" 90 I picked up this week. Using my calibers the little pipe measures out to be .25 (1/4 inch) and I'd like to remake it. I assume this would be "NPT 1/4 18" or that is what I am going to try with a die cutter (getting these bits off Amazon and they are likely cheap China stuff). While it won't be nickel plated, it is small enough perhaps it won't bother me much (plus it is the bottom pipe). A zillion years ago I watched my Dad use Tap & Die for water & gas pipping around our old house, so I more or less understand the concept (but haven't done it myself).

@Paula - I little birdie tells me you might have done this? Or perhaps you made a new pipe @steamwhistle for your 90? If that is correct, I'd love any information you could provide :-)

Paula · « **Reply #33 on:** May 27, 2023, 11:27:08 am »

Quote

Well, I have ran into the same problem on a "new" 90 I picked up this week. Using my calibers the little pipe measures out to be .25 (1/4 inch) and I'd like to remake it. I assume this would be "NPT 1/4 18" or that is what I am going to try with a die cutter (getting these bits off Amazon and they are likely cheap China stuff). While it won't be nickel plated, it is small enough perhaps it won't bother me much (plus it is the bottom pipe). A zillion years ago I watched my Dad use Tap & Die for water & gas pipping around our old house, so I more or less understand the concept (but haven't done it myself).

Paula - I little birdie tells me you might have done this? Or perhaps you made a new pipe steamwhistle for your 90? If that is correct, I'd love any information you could provide :-)

Hi Rich,

Are we talking about the pipe nipple that comprises the horizontal portion of the sight glass elbow? If so, my expertise only applies to the B30/B31 style, with the spherical body, though the Model 90 might well use the same nipple. The one for the B30/B31 measures .25"O.D. x .50" long, each end threaded a distance of .15". Here's a picture of a broken one:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The thread is a 1/4-40 "ME" (Model Engineer) thread. There is also a 1/4-40 "MTP" (Model Taper Pipe), which has a tapered thread. The NPT 1/4-18 you mentioned would be WAY too large, with an O.D. of around 9/16". More information and/or pics would help me understand what you need. I may be able to help.

Paula

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2023, 11:39:12 am »

That is what I was afraid of that the NPT 1/4-18 would be to big. Rats. The pipe nipple is the same as in steamwhistle photo in a few posts back and is attached here.

I have the pipe nipple in my caliper, though it is missing one side of the threaded pipe (it disintegrated) - so the reading shown in the caliper is a bit short. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Edit:
I believe this die from eBay is what I need: Live Steam 1/4-40 ME Die - New Train Tool

Paula · « **Reply #35 on:** May 27, 2023, 11:57:15 am »

Looks like the same one as used on the B30/B31. Is the broken portion still in the boiler or sight glass fitting? If so, that might the bigger issue.

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #36 on:** May 27, 2023, 12:19:07 pm »

It was in the sight glass fitting, I used a extractor tool that got the nub out of the fitting. The threads in the cooper tank just kind of fell out in little bits.

My dad's tap & die set handle isn't for the round dies but for the hex kind... now I need to find a round die handle. Knowing my luck I'll have to buy a die set for a handle.

@Paula - thank your for popping in and helping!

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #37 on:** May 27, 2023, 12:59:04 pm »

I suppose I should show this "new" 90. I was the only eBay bidder at $99 and I was half hoping someone else would bin it from me, I have a 90 already but its the one I had to do a lot of work on it (and I would not call it quality work either). It's base is a bit nasty but until I had the misfortune of a broken lower sight fitting (it was 100% clogged and I was trying to clean it out) the main features were great, including a working heater blanket. It even has its whistle top but I have it off as not to mess it up.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

steamwhistle · « **Reply #38 on:** May 31, 2023, 08:13:55 am »

Rich,

For my situation, I was able to carefully clean both pieces, clamp them together, and re-solder. I don't recall what type of solder I used, but it had a fairly high melting temperature (not silver solder though). I've run this engine several times since the repair and it's held up so far.

Jeff

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #39 on:** May 31, 2023, 08:20:40 am »

That is a good solution @steamwhistle but sadly I busted both sides of the threads somehow. Luckily @Paula is whipping up some new ones for me and will even be nickel plated - I am eagerly awaiting them :-)

Paula · « **Reply #40 on:** May 31, 2023, 09:04:42 am »

Rich, they should go out today. The threads might be a little tight as I forgot about the thickness of the plating (about .001" on dia.) They fit great on a B30 boiler before plating. Let me know how they work. Next time, I'll cut the threads a bit undersize.

Paula

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #41 on:** May 31, 2023, 09:32:13 am »

Hi @Paula - that must be the new package that has shown up on my USPS Informed Delivery from Indiana!

I expect that will work out to my benefit for the tank side for sure as I believe the tank threads are a little wobbled out. For the fitting side I think those threads are intact I wouldn't be surprised there is some slop there too. I do have the 1/4-40 ME (Model Engineer) die coming to me, perhaps if I do have problems I could use it to chase the pipe threads??

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #42 on:** June 05, 2023, 06:08:56 pm »

I got the pipe nipple from @Paula today and have the Empire 90 back together. Thank you so much Paula! As expected I did have to chase the threads with my 1/4-40 ME Die, no big deal.

Paula · « **Reply #43 on:** June 05, 2023, 08:03:47 pm »

So good to hear the US Postal Service did not fail us! (Just a bit slow...)

That's quite an impressive runner, and looks great too! Glad I was able to help you out.

Paula

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