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Author Topic: Boiler repair and "It's always something".  (Read 825 times)

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Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« on: January 27, 2021, 07:23:27 pm »
Remember Roseanne Roseannadanna? It's always something. I have a Carette steam engine that I thought
was ready to steam, (see pictures in collection section) only to find out that the boiler has a slow
leak in the seam by the end cap, (first pic). I got that fixed using a technique that we used for
Jensen cylinder leaks due to cracks. Super Glue. There was no way I was going to attempt to solder.
Closed all the fittings off, whistle, exhaust port, everything but the port for safety valve. That's
where a tight fitting hose went in and I was on the other end drawing on it as I applied the glue
around the seam. I was sucking the glue into the seam. It worked great, maybe too good. As I attempted
to steam it up again, the steam pipe started leaking, excuse me, weeping, through a bunch of micro
cracks, needs new plumbing. (second and third pics). Like Roseanne, "I thought I was gonna die".


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Cracks in steam line.
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Tommy

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2021, 07:41:55 pm »
When this happens to me (often) I always say "Well I suppose this is why its called a 'hobby'" to try and make myself feel better.
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Jim

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2021, 07:45:42 pm »
That stinks Tom , sometimes these old German plants get to be like Swiss cheese with a constitution of tissue paper. I've never found a cure besides just replacing the offending pieces... Which never ends...pity that.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2021, 07:52:25 pm »
Bummer... not easy to restore like original, but it has been done
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Nick

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2021, 08:03:10 pm »
this is what I did with a Märklin 4106, 8 1/2 steam engine  that the boiler had 5-6 2" long fatigue/stress cracks in the boiler.

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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
"Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind."
  Nikola Tesla

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2021, 08:07:52 pm »
Love that lamp Bruce, nice to see it again mate  :)
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Cheers.
Jim

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2021, 08:47:35 am »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on January 27, 2021, 08:03:10 pm
this is what I did with a Märklin 4106, 8 1/2 steam engine  that the boiler had 5-6 2" long fatigue/stress cracks in the boiler.



Wow, that's a beauty Bruce. At first glance I thought the lamp shade was behind it on a table.
Then you turned it on, it entered my mind that, Bruce wouldn't stop there. You didn't disappoint.
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Tommy

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2021, 08:51:15 am »
Before I attempt to bend and cut new tubing I'm going to try to tin the existing
pipes with solder, then reinstall them. Any thoughts, please chime in.
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Tommy

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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2021, 09:34:00 am »
Quote from: Woe is me on January 28, 2021, 08:51:15 am
Before I attempt to bend and cut new tubing I'm going to try to tin the existing
pipes with solder, then reinstall them. Any thoughts, please chime in.
That's what I would try 1st Tom.
My advice is to only get it hot enough for your solder/tin to flow & adhere. more is NOT better in this instance.  I would heat the affected area thoroughly and then move my heat to either side of the damaged area while rubbing my solder back & forth across the damaged area. Again  more is NOT better,  resist the temptation to go back over the damaged area if it looks like you got good cover & adhesion the 1st time. To much on the piping will result in the solder/tin plugging the pipe. Next I would consider replacing the Pipe with new 😉😊
Also make sure there is absolutely no water or oil on/in the affected area , and get down to bright metal (a Dremel with a wire wheel should work nicely) please wear safetyglass's Tom , you probably know this, but the wire wheels throw out wire bits with astonishing speed...especially the Chinese knock offs. 🤕
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Boiler repair and "It's always something".
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2021, 11:52:50 am »
Quote
Also make sure there is absolutely no water or oil on/in the affected area , and get down to bright metal (a Dremel with a wire wheel should work nicely) please wear safetyglass's Tom , you probably know this, but the wire wheels throw out wire bits with astonishing speed...especially the Chinese knock offs. 🤕





Thanks for chiming in Bruce. Plan on removing the lines first, keep heat away from painted areas. Have tinned several steam lines before, know about oil and flux. Have picked several wires out of clothes and one in the cheek, of my face.
I always where glasses, even to blow my nose.
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Tommy

"Steam it, like you mean it."
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