Office of Steam Logo_1

Author Topic: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box  (Read 4842 times)

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« on: July 28, 2025, 09:38:46 pm »
I picked up off eBay a Weeden 646 that I believe is a earlier Pre-1930s model.  My brother gave me one (and I gave it back) that its design is slight different, so I am sure his is from the 1930s.  Also the box is like my Big Giant's that I am pretty sure is from 1916~1918.

The one I picked up was more or less complete. Its missing it wood handle and the pressure valve has been soldered shut (my brother actually has a spare and I'll get it at some point).  I am very happy it has it smoke stack and the original chain too!  Though it had has a hard life.  For one, touching it was like playing with charcoal.  They must have used kerosene to steam it - I never seen a engine so caked with soot.  It seems to be pretty normal for the roller brace to be busted but a previous owner soldered it to the tank.  It has also lost one of its nuts on the piston to balance wheel brace.  Not sure how I am going to fix that.  The tank threads where the pressure valve goes is almost completely stripped too.  Lastly, the balanced wheel was spinning on the shaft, some Red Loctite seems to be holding it.

I got it cleaned up, the sight glass cleaned, re-sealed, and oiled.  I then propped up the backend with a wood spoon, filled up the burner, and steamed it up.  I was a little amazed it ran.  I didn't actually run it on the floor, I just wanted to see how bad it leaked.  It wasn't horrid but I did pull the whistle base and piston cap to put on some Permatex 59235 on their treads.

Here are some photos until I can get a video.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Richard

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2025, 10:23:10 am »
Here is a static demo of this Weeden #646 - now I need to get it down to the Parking Garage to let it have room to run around.  I think it will run pretty good.

Richard

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2025, 12:07:09 pm »
Now the little Weeden Steamroller takes a few laps - though I totally forgot to fill up with fuel so the little guy was running out of flame!  Never the less, it is running :-)


Richard

  • Global Moderator
  • Engineer
  • *****
  • Posts: 5155
  • Wherever you go ......... there you are!
  • Location: Eastern Sierra
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2025, 02:34:57 pm »
Looking Good!

That's a real prize you've got there!!!
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2025, 08:08:45 am »
Thanks @Stoker!

Here is another YouTube short video I did in my Atlanta Midtown apartment, runs so much better on smooth floors vs the parking garage concrete. One thing about this early No. 646 is that it has to overcome the roller's resistance on how it is attached to the bracket.  It has two screws on either side, that are held in place by square nuts on the inside of the bracket.  The screws, which are just regular screws poke into the brass roller.  My brother's later model No. 646 has a long brass screw, which just enough threads to get the nut on the other side.  So its roller is smooth as silk.

Anyways, here's the video - very pleased on how well it is operating and that I got all the various leaks sealed.

Edit: Changed to updated video after adjusting the brass roller's screws & bracket.  The brass roller has two screws on either side, so one was trying to unscrew itself and the other side was trying to tighten itself.  So I did some fine adjustment on the screws and bracket, then used medium Red Loctite to keep them in place.

Richard

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2025, 02:45:57 pm »
Here is the Steamroller with last little touches:  added a red whistle handle & pressure valve that I found mis-stored in a drawer earlier this morning!

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Richard

  • Administrator
  • Engineer
  • *****
  • Posts: 6276
  • Aussie Steamer always on the boil :)
  • Location: South Coast of New South Wales Australia
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2025, 06:30:20 pm »
You really do have just an awesome Weeden collection Richard!
_______________________________________________
Cheers.
Jim

Blue Heelers Model & Toy Steam Engine Room YouTube Channel -
 https://www.youtube.com/user/Blue123Heeler/videos


  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
  • Location: Kyle, Tx
Re: 1920s Weeden 646 with Box
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2025, 06:47:51 pm »
Just to think, not long ago I told myself I wasn't going to collect Weeden's.  I think with Weeden's you need to be patient and look for interesting ones that are in good shape.  Also, a little luck is helpful too, which I have had some good luck.
Richard