The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject: Bowman M158

She has arrived

Since I caught a bit of Bowmania I decided to jump on the bandwagon and get myself a nice little Bowman. I think I paid around 50 something for it, so I've got a few starter pictures and i have a few questions to ask, advice, opinions a bit of both really. first pictures on arrival:

Ok firstly it's not a minter by any strech of the imagination but what Bowman is without a respray?

. A understand on this version there were a lot of painted parts. The piston and cylinder do have paint missing as expected. Do I remove all paint and polish the brass? or just leave it as it is?

I won't be repainting anything on this model, I want to keep it nice and original and want to run it a few times at least

.

I have dismanted the Bowman as far as she will go. I can post up pictures of what I've done as my camera died on me, i'll start the restoration process a little later. The boiler has been cleaned up, but i've not yet removed the solder. 100% confident I can remove it all and make it look brand new though

Will have a go when I get time anyway

Burner is also there, and useable by the looks of things

Looks like a nice enough engine. The Brass flywheel is of staggering quality and weight

. that's been cleaned, i'll upload pics from my phone a little later so you can see the solder in more detail.

A couple more questions

1) Was it worth it? I like the engine, like it alot, I think compared to a few Bowmans on ebay this was a cheap buy. People were probably (to my advantage) put off by the solder.

2) Would you keep everything totally original? I had to remove the laquer because it would have burnt off with the blow torch anyway

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MooseMan · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

D*mn straight that was a cheap buy!

What's it worth? If you clean up the solder, at least twice what you paid for it, maybe three times on a good day. Having the burner and the box are MAJOR crowdpleasers.

Restore or not restore? Well, you know what i would do.

I'd throw everything I've got at that baby, especially considering it's already been repainted at least once.

Great little engine, you're going to love running that - it goes like a bomb.

And I'm going to love watching you work that Mamodman magic on that boiler!

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Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:55 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a good buy then Mooseman! and nothing too big to tackle for my first Bowman

I'm going to sort that boiler out tomorrow night hopefully! So i'll just upload a last picture of it before the solder is removed. Very pleased with how well the brass parts came up. They are of immense quality!. It's a shame that big hefty flywheel is covered by so much! it's a real looker that one

I managed to remove that mint green paint with T-cut, I've got no idea what it is. Will grab a picture later to show you. If i'm going to run it a few times I won't paint anything

that way It will be more firable! shall do my best clean up though I can guarrentee

Also got an SE3 safety valve in with the Bowman so i'm a happy bunny indeed

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Lewis · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

nice buy mm

will need to clean up that solder rond those end caps
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Steve_S · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject:

Its a beauty, and well worth it! Its in better condition than it looked in the eBay picture, and having a good box and burner makes it a bargain. Personally I'd polish the pistons and loose what little green paint may be left on them. You won't harm its value doing that. Bowmans like that just ooze quality... lots of heavy brass. Steam it often!!

SPOKESMAN · Guest

I do like those boxes - graphically very simple and a strong idea.

Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject:

Sandman · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

Even better condition than I thought MM.

The paint on the cylinder is much the same as the one I had to make a decision on. I would polish back to the metal MM as it will match the boiler and the gearing.

The boiler will come up a treat once the old MM magic has been worked and I'm sure you'll have an engine to be proud of when you're done.

Give it the works MM.

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Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:

I'll get going tomorrow lads

can't wait

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John Chapman · Guest

Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:07 pm Post subject:

MooseMan · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject:

John Chapman · Guest

Mamodman123 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject:

Steve_S · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: