Help identifying items and suggestions on how to restore them

[Chris Jones 18Participant @chrisjones18]

Evening all,

I recently returned from my Aunt's house where she has been clearing out some boxes from my Grandmother…you can see where this is going can't you.

My Great Grandfather used to scratch build model engines (we think he started post WW1 upto and through WW2) – some of his best stuff is with my Mother's cousin and is really nice work. But my Aunt recently found a whole set of his early work, which are mainly stationary engines/pumps from what I can work out.

They are mainly brass, I think scratch built and in general they seem in good condition. Can anyone identify any of the items (he may have used published plans) or suggest the best way to get them back up and running.

Thanks

Chris

[Chris Jones 18Participant @chrisjones18]

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Clearly a man of considerable ingenuity. My guess is they are all his own design, although the three cylinder 'radial' steam engine (4th down) bears a resemblance to Edgar T Westbury's Cygnet.

I have no idea what 1 is.

2 appears to be a weir feed pump (one end is a steam power cylinder, the other pumps water)

3 is a spark ignition 2 stroke, possibly m eant for a boat (or just display) as it has a flywheel.

4 is the radial steam engine which should have an interesting valve arrangement behind that large cover at the back.

5 is an unusual stationary engine.

6 is a duplex feed pump.

7 is a very compact reversible engine, perhaps meant for a steam crane or similar.

Aside from the 2-stroke which may have suffered internal corrosion from the fuel, I would expect most of them to be restorable, with patience and care. Steam engines are tolerant of wear and minor leaks if you just want them to 'go' on low pressure steam or compressed air, rather than work hard. The presence of lubricators on several engines suggests your great-grandfather meant these engines to be run on steam, not just display models.

If the brass has not deteriorated and become brittle or corroded, then 'restoration' could mainly be a careful strip down, cleaning and relubricating. Gaskets will probably need replacing with new ones, and glands will need repacking. Be thankful that he hardly used steel components, if at all.

A great find, and a nice heirloom for anyone with an interest in things mechanical.

Neil

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 26/10/2013 20:26:12

[Chris Jones 18Participant @chrisjones18]

Thanks for the reply, I think you are probably right that they are his own designed, some seem to be simpler versions of others suggesting he started small and just kept getting bigger.

His later stuff includes a steam driven air pump, which can be used to power the other units. as well as a fully working steam tractor at about 1/32 scale I think.

Your thoughts back up some of my initial ideas, I am thinking I might try to setup a small workshop to transfer his old tools and stuff into so i can try and restore these….but the joy of work, small kids and other things seem to get in the way nowadays.

Chris

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Chris,

My Grandfather made a similar engine to the picture no five, I've no idea from what design he used as he was also scratch build model engineer.

Martin P

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