Author Topic: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler  (Read 13991 times)

simplyloco

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Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« on: January 29, 2019, 04:19:25 PM »
That visit to Jo yesterday has left me with a peculiar affliction: "Aquisition Syndrome"!
I acquired this setup today from a gentleman whose wife said "It has to go!" It looked a bit of a dog, but I got it home, connected up my new Simair airbrush compressor and here we have it running! Just click on the pic. All brass construction, and it's going to polish up loverly... :whoohoo:
20190129_154445 by inkaboat, on Flickr

20190129_154508 by inkaboat, on Flickr



I'd be grateful for an ID on the engine, and the boiler, which has 'BL' on the front. AND it has a Stuart V10 on the board as well!

20190129_153959 by inkaboat, on Flickr
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 04:39:41 PM by simplyloco »

Offline Jo

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2019, 04:22:33 PM »
We need better photos to be able to identify it... A picture of the beam to see if it is a single or double would be helpful  ::)

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

simplyloco

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2019, 04:37:58 PM »
Better pictures! Did the video run OK?
DSC00711 by inkaboat, on Flickr

DSC00710 by inkaboat, on Flickr

DSC00709 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline Jo

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2019, 05:10:18 PM »
I can only get the video to run if I go to flicker.

It is not an obvious design published in ME. As it is a bar stock engine it couple be a home designed engine.

Have you thought what you are going to do with all that lovely old original patina?

Edit: The boiler is a Bassett-Lowke babcock boiler...https://www.stationroadsteam.com/bassett-lowke-babcock-boiler-stock-code-3421/

Jo
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 05:16:15 PM by Jo »
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

simplyloco

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2019, 05:14:53 PM »
SNIP
Have you thought what you are going to do with all that lovely old original patina?
Jo

I'm an ex Senior NCO: I have to polish it! :slap:

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2019, 05:15:42 PM »
BL on the boiler is be Basset Lowke.

As for polishing it up I would personally keep the patina.

there is a published design that rings a bell will get back to you on that
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 05:23:44 PM by Jasonb »

simplyloco

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2019, 05:22:51 PM »
Thanks both. Quite exciting really!
John
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 05:26:20 PM by simplyloco »

Offline Jo

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2019, 05:27:33 PM »
I was imagining that your first task would have been to dig out the Brasso... which may devalue it  :facepalm:

The fact there is also an additional engine makes me think it could be a few commercial bits put on a board. Again originality = value.

I would look to alter where the gauge glass is attached to the boiler and fit it to the top and bottom fitting holes, where it currently is not very useful  ::)

Jo
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 06:15:44 PM by Jo »
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2019, 08:14:13 PM »
Video worked fine for me just from clicking on the picture though it does take you to flickr. Quite a lovely engine too. Personally I would polish it up unless you plan to resell it in the near future where "value" could be an issue. Then let it develop its own new patina under your ownership. Nice "acquisition" !

Bill

simplyloco

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2019, 09:03:27 PM »
Running on Steam! :cheers:
Not bad for $75.00...

20190129_185804 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Online crueby

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2019, 09:57:19 PM »
Wonderful!  Can tell from the video how tickled you were to see it take off! Very nicely done.

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2019, 10:31:21 PM »
Hello John,

That is a beautiful ole steam engine, like Jo sure hope you keep it "as is".

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

Offline Bearcar1

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2019, 11:21:50 PM »
Boy what a beauty!!!  And a "two-for" at that.  :DrinkPint: The V-10 appears to be of an older vintage as well.  I dunno, a good cleaning would be in order as Im not so sure an outright polish would do justice to this one.  :shrug: I do like the center crank design of this one.


BC1
Jim

simplyloco

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2019, 03:27:11 PM »
Cleaned up in a petrol bath. It is really very well made.

20190130_150204[1] by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

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Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2019, 04:01:07 PM »
Hello again John,

When you have the time, please take more photos of the steam engine from various angles and post them here.

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

 

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