Author Topic: Weeden No. 646 - Roller off Tank (Read 3081 times)

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2023, 05:40:32 pm »

I think Wayne has a soft spot for Weedens, with out a doubt they are neat little engines. I just find them hard to work on and often very fragile and not very forgiving of time.

Stoker · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2023, 05:57:58 pm »

Empire, Jensen and most all of the German engines from the early part of the Twentieth Century were mostly heavily built and EXPENSIVE within the economies of their times. Weeden's were the every-boy's engine that could be won as a reward for magazine subscriptions or paper route bonus. They were mostly not built like tanks, but they worked and worked well, and were AFFORDABLE in the relative scheme of things!!!

That being said, there were Weeden's that were more heavily built to a higher standard, and thus more expensive too, that were and are certainly desirable engines to have in most any collection!

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2023, 09:30:03 pm »

I believe that to be pretty spot on, well said.

So, the piston end on this Steam Roller is leaking a fair amount. I see there is a fiber like seal but how do you pull the cap off and properly put it back on to insure it seals?

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2023, 07:25:27 am »

I gave it a go, for the record cap on the piston unscrews. Some previous owner put on a gasket that was x2 or more too thick. I wished my fiber washers weren't red but in my kit of various sizes there was a perfect one. I used a little of my Permatex 59235 (white) High Temperature Thread Sealant on it too.

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2024, 03:14:17 pm »

YAY - Thanks to @Paula my Weeden Steamroller's whistle lever no longer pops out (it isn't fun to have pressured hot water/steam come out)! She made me a new one that is kept on with a spring, much like how Empire lever's are kept in. Paula was even able to use the original red knob off the old busted lever :-)

Paula · « **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2024, 03:19:33 pm »

Looking good, Richard! I'm surprised you received the whistle that fast, since I just sent it out Monday.

Glad it works for you, and nice job on the steam roller!

Paula

txlabman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2024, 03:28:57 pm »

Very nice of you Paula.

Congratulations Rich.

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #22 on:** January 10, 2024, 05:01:33 pm »

Quote from: Paula on January 10, 2024, 03:19:33 pm

Looking good, Richard! I'm surprised you received the whistle that fast, since I just sent it out Monday.

Glad it works for you, and nice job on the steam roller!

Paula

Agreed, two days with just 1st class stamps - not sure how it got here so fast. Not that it bothers me LOL

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2024, 07:17:35 am »

I thought I'd do a x5 zoom shot of the whistle lever that @Paula made on the base. It is so professionally done, its like factory IMO - if Weeden had made them this way.

@Paula - did you nickel this little lever or is it a metal that is naturally so pretty? How you found such a small & strong spring is pretty amazing!

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Paula · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2024, 02:02:22 pm »

Richard, I'm glad you are so happy with the result! I thought it turned out nice too.

I did nickel plate the new valve stem, but then it stuck out like a sore thumb (on a vintage engine.) I treated the part with something called "nickel ager", but all it does is turn the nickel black. Rubbing the finish with fine steel wool then makes the nickel look like "black chrome". Better, but still doesn't resemble old nickel plating.

Anyway, I'm happy with how it turned out.

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2024, 02:21:53 pm »

@Paula I am beyond happy with the results!

Funny thing, my brother has "gifting it to me remorse". Seems he didn't realize how well it would come out and how quickly I'd be able to sort it out. Which I am not sure how to take that, as it was his xmas gift to me this year LOL

I might give it back to him, as this engine was from his old-timer friend that passed away last year (lots of provenance for him). So it surprised me a LOT when I unwrapped it. Though I REALLY like this steamroller, so I don't really want to give it up LOL

Weedensteam · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2024, 08:06:03 pm »

Wow Paula, nice job on the whistle repair, that is how they should have been made in the first place.

Weedensteam · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2024, 08:11:20 pm »

I think I have seen more of those Rollers with that sloppy solder repair than with the studs to hold that bracket on, good for you Richard to fix it right.

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #28 on:** January 12, 2024, 09:04:31 pm »

Quote from: Weedensteam on January 12, 2024, 08:11:20 pm

I think I have seen more of those Rollers with that sloppy solder repair than with the studs to hold that bracket on, good for you Richard to fix it right.

That's high praise @Weedensteam - thank you!

RichSteamTx · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2024, 08:32:25 am »

I was talking to my brother this morning about the smoke stack as I was fairly certain the one on it now is incorrect. This one is roughly 4 inches long and I believe the proper one is about 3 inches. Also, this one has been forced onto the tank's fitting (flared out a bit at the bottom). Come to find out he took the one off the steamroller because it had a little dent on the side and it's a little wobbled at the top. I rather have a dinged up stack that is correct than a straight one that is incorrect!

So he'll send that stack when he sends the Mamod SR1a steamroller :-)

Here is a photo of what he sent me. Looking at the photos from @Weedensteam website the #646 came with both shinny and black smoke stacks. The wobbled top is on the other side of the ding.

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Author Topic: Weeden No. 646 - Roller off Tank (Read 3081 times)

RichSteamTx

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Stoker

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RichSteamTx

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RichSteamTx

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RichSteamTx

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Paula

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txlabman

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RichSteamTx

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RichSteamTx

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Paula

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RichSteamTx

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Weedensteam

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Weedensteam

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RichSteamTx

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RichSteamTx

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