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Author Topic: Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine  (Read 7299 times)

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Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine
« on: May 15, 2024, 09:11:31 am »
I need a boiler for a Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine. The one I have looks like it froze and busted and the carbon elements are broken in two
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Re: Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2024, 10:29:57 am »
  Bad luck on the busted boiler.  You will probably need to buy a whole
engine to get a boiler.  Keep in mind that any KJ Miller you buy has
a chance the boiler base is cracked even though the carbon blocks may
be whole...or both may be broken.  No doubt these boilers are problematic.
Very problematic.  Search you tube - I saw a video about this several
years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58sh0HlxnQc&list=PLpQk7J9d7G8Vj59iIOngQbTO8PLjtmYxd

  My knowledge is from buying 5 over the past 5 years.  Actually, one
came without a boiler but the other 4 had good carbon blocks but three had
cracked bases.  The only fix I've seen is to replace the base and use
other short cartridge heaters to power it.  The carbon block concept
is elegant and automatically stops the power when the water level gets
too low. Unfortunately, the implementation of this idea is too slick for
its own good.

Good Luck,
Wayne

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Re: Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2024, 10:56:37 am »
Depending on how your boiler is cracked, you may be able to effect a repair with JB Weld or similar "glue". Also, depending on how your carbon blocks are cracked, if there is more than half still attached to the electrode connections you will likely still be able to raise steam, albeit a bit slower and with less replacement production, so you will need to run the engine slower so the boiler can keep up. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as I do prefer to run my engines rather slowly, which more naturally approximates the speed of real steam engines.

In any case, there is currently a K.J. Miller up on eBay, that has been listed before and didn't sell, so perhaps the seller would be interested in taking an offer, though that option isn't listed. For point of reference, I have seen these engines sell for as little as around $40, sometimes in pretty good appearing condition, so if you keep your eyes peeled, perhaps you can score a bargain to get your replacement boiler?!?!

It is in the Beam Engine configuration, has a box in decent shape, and has all three blueprints, but does not appear to have any of the other needed parts to build the two other configurations.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335394073784?

Good luck with your resurrection of this old steam plant, and keep us informed as to your progress!
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Re: Junior Engineer SE-100 Model Steam Engine
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2024, 03:34:41 pm »
Re the JB Weld fix.

  I tried it using the regular (not quick hardening) JB Weld.
I did a good clean prep, proper application, and a 48 hrs cure
time.  I put in some water, it started heating, and as soon as
I could sense pressure building, TINK went the base and the
water started to leak again.  Perhaps applying a vacuum to
the boiler, to draw the JB in, might have helped. 

  I do have a couple of KJ boilers that leak a bit from base
cracks but still make enough steam to work.  I think the best
most reliable fix is a base replacement.  Whoever thought this
boiler material and heating arrangement needed a checkup from
the neck up.  That goes for the MARX and Weeden designers who
decided a tin boiler was the way to go.  Their analysis was
flawed - they dropped the ball.  The results, over time, are
bad, bad, bad.

Good Luck,
Wayne
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