Author Topic: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler  (Read 13997 times)

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #30 on: February 01, 2019, 10:13:02 AM »
Are you going to chuck the whole engine in the acid to get that matching pink shade of the "cleaned up" chest cover or clean the pink off the cover :LittleDevil:

I might just Brasso the cover and let it fade over time... :)

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #31 on: February 03, 2019, 04:16:01 PM »
Insulation problem solved

The vermiculite blocks that I use when soldering are quite fragile, but I found out today that the my budgie bandsaw slices through them like a hot knife through butter! Therefore...

Cut into pads just thick enough to provide clearance on the water tubes, and held in using the original holes with some stainless steel sheet rescued from a discarded hob fume extractor!
20190203_133648 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Quite pleased!
20190203_140458 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Even more pleased as I have now removed centuries of built up paint and can now see all the nice brick detail. The boiler now also sports a decent gauge glass and a much more elegant pressure gauge fitting! I'll make an in-line clack near to the pump.
Can anyone suggest a paint that looks like Victorian red brick but is not a gloss?

20190203_154609 by inkaboat, on Flickr

« Last Edit: February 03, 2019, 11:15:15 PM by simplyloco »

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18554
  • Rochester NY
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #32 on: February 03, 2019, 04:24:21 PM »
That is looking grand!
 :popcorn: :popcorn:

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #33 on: February 03, 2019, 11:25:43 PM »
Just waiting for some red bricks!

20190203_220457 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline b.lindsey

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13860
  • Dallas, NC, USA
    • Workbench-Miniatures
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #34 on: February 04, 2019, 01:40:51 AM »
What a transformation!! Doesn't even look like the same boiler. Very nice!!

Bill

Online Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9464
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #35 on: February 04, 2019, 07:15:11 AM »
Nearest you will probably get in a matt heat resistant is something like Thermacure's Mojave Red, looks a bit like red oxide primer but will take the heat, I've used it on Flame lickers and its not come off. Their Black will do for the doors.

https://thermacure.co.uk/products/

If you are feeling artistic than get a can of Ivory too and mix colours to pick out individual brick.

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #36 on: February 04, 2019, 07:49:28 AM »
Nearest you will probably get in a matt heat resistant is something like Thermacure's Mojave Red, looks a bit like red oxide primer but will take the heat, I've used it on Flame lickers and its not come off. Their Black will do for the doors.

https://thermacure.co.uk/products/

If you are feeling artistic than get a can of Ivory too and mix colours to pick out individual brick.

Thanks Jason, I'll have a look. Halfords heat resistant is on the doors already.
John
« Last Edit: February 04, 2019, 08:04:37 AM by simplyloco »

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #37 on: February 04, 2019, 11:04:47 PM »
We had a lovely lunch out with friends so not much done today. However, I did manage to order the Thermacure Mojave Red paint, and I was determined to finish the boiler fittings today, in particular replacing the abortion of a clack valve that came with it!

This is the beast, and pretty 'orrible it is too!
20190204_203248 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Much nicer and closer to scale! Mind you, even though I just made this one, I might find myself replacing the water gauge with something a little smaller...
DSC00713 by inkaboat, on Flickr
« Last Edit: February 04, 2019, 11:12:44 PM by simplyloco »

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #38 on: February 06, 2019, 08:00:12 PM »
Well happy with the result. I just have to paint the roof and the pressure gauge siphon black, and we're done! My intention is to mount it on a board with another engine, and I can't help thinking that the Stuart No 9 would be more suitable. I also have my Stuart Beam engine. What do you guys think?
John

20190206_194151 by inkaboat, on Flickr

20190206_194050[1] by inkaboat, on Flickr

Now it looks the part, it will need some new doors, but they aint 'alf fiddley Mum! This just a prototype...

20190206_181243 by inkaboat, on Flickr

« Last Edit: February 06, 2019, 08:14:47 PM by simplyloco »

Online Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #39 on: February 07, 2019, 01:14:06 AM »
Looks very nice!

Dave

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #40 on: February 07, 2019, 09:05:19 PM »
Looking the part!
 I spent a few hours this evening making a new chimney, complete with bronze top and bottom collars,  and doing a trial assembly.
Very happy with it, and the colour seems to have photographed OK this time!
John

20190207_203653 by inkaboat, on Flickr
20190207_203511 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline Don1966

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6817
  • Columbia, MS
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #41 on: February 07, 2019, 09:07:14 PM »
Love the color and look very nice work!.... :ThumbsUp:


 :cheers:
Don

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18554
  • Rochester NY
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #42 on: February 07, 2019, 09:12:09 PM »
Excellent!

Offline gary.a.ayres

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1297
  • Isle of Skye & sometimes France
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #43 on: February 07, 2019, 10:24:46 PM »
Interesting thread, and the boiler is looking great!

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #44 on: February 07, 2019, 10:32:27 PM »
Thanks all for the kind words, they help my motivation!
John

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal