Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam.          The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> General discussion Chris General questions from a newbie Hello, Please excuse any ignorance in the following post, I am completely new to steam models, but interested in owning and running one or two. I am most interested in getting a TE1a as a first engine, possibly bought new so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with it (might see about getting used ones later). I also like the look of the roller, but would like to start with a traction engine. My questions are: 1) Do the new engines only run with solid fuel or can you use meths. If using meths do you need to make modifications/buy extra bits? 2) How long would a TE1a run for before needing refueling/more water? 3) How powerful are these engines, and has anyone put them to a practical use (haven't really thought this through, thinking along the lines of running a grinding stone to sharpen knives or something like that). I appreciate the stationary ones may be more powerful, but they don't yet hold the appeal for me as the mobiles. Thanks for your help. As I said please excuse my ignorance. Chris. Wallace Re: General questions from a newbie Chris wrote: Hello, Please excuse any ignorance in the following post, I am completely new to steam models, but interested in owning and running one or two. I am most interested in getting a TE1a as a first engine, possibly bought new so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with it (might see about getting used ones later). I also like the look of the roller, but would like to start with a traction engine. My questions are: 1) Do the new engines only run with solid fuel or can you use meths. If using meths do you need to make modifications/buy extra bits? 2) How long would a TE1a run for before needing refueling/more water? 3) How powerful are these engines, and has anyone put them to a practical use (haven't really thought this through, thinking along the lines of running a grinding stone to sharpen knives or something like that). I appreciate the stationary ones may be more powerful, but they don't yet hold the appeal for me as the mobiles. Thanks for your help. As I said please excuse my ignorance. Chris. Hi Chris, and welcome to the Forums. Remember, there is no ignorance here, and the more questions, the better 1) The Majority of new engines run on solid fuel (anything less than about 20yrs old). Anyway, I'm not too sure if meths burners to replace the solid fuel burners are availble for mobiles. They are for stationaries. So I'll leave that to others who have one. 2)Running time varies. If you fill it with boiling water to start with, you might get about 15mins? My Meths fired TE1 gets about that. Filling with "normal temp" water, about 10mins? Solid fuel might be less 4) I wouldn't really think there is any practical use for them, other than fun. They aren't that powerful at all to be honest. Not for sharpening a knife on a ginding stone anyway. Some people here have had vids of the saw accessories, and they struggle to cut a matchstick Anyway, welcome, and hope you stick around SPOKESMAN Welcome Chris. With the appropriate burner they can run on meths (usually longer) Solid fuel is OK, smells and doesn't burn for too long. Running an engine depends on how well it is run in. Normally a solid fuel run would be around 10 mins a meths fired engine around 14-15 minutes - this can vary depending on the state of the piston/cylinder. All mobiles can run workshop tools, either in the all in one workshop model (4 tools+line shaft on one base) or singly or more - you'll need a line shaft for that. Of course the engine and tools will need to be secured down. Drive is by means of a special spring steel drive belt. They are more for show that any real work, although some of the bigger (and older) stationaries will run with a bit more power. All models are available from Forest steam, paper n Steam Galore ets (search on Google). Ebay is an invaluable source for older engines, parts and models. The TE and SR are still popular today 40 years after they were introduced. When you get a feel for steam models you may want to collect a few older examples or branch into stationaries and of course other makes, such as Bowman, Jensen, Wilesco etc. Mike tmuir Hi Chris, Cant really add that much more but if you are after a more powerful one you now have the choice between a Te1a and a Te1v. The Te1v has a pisten valve engine so in theory dhould be more powerful than standard Te1a but I dont think anyone here has got a Te1v yet so we cant confirm this. It also costs 40 pounds more than Te1a. Forest Classics has both for sale and picture for you to compare. http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/mamod_mobiles.htm If you want real power you will need to fork out big dollars for a Stuart engine or the likes. Mamods are really just toys and you can't expect them to do any real work, but they are a lot of fun. If you can afford a new engine go for it. I have a solid fuel roadster and I successfully run that on meths. If you do want to run your new engine on meths you would need to purchase or make a meths burner as the one supplied with the engine is no good for meths. Watch out, once you have one steam engine you want another, then another........ Happy Steaming Tony Mamodman123 Hi Chris! The Mamod TE1a would be a very good choice for a first engine! It won't run as long on solid fuel, so you should probably look out for a meths burner! You'll get quicker steaming and a longer one if you do! They won't do any practicle work they are really just a collectors piece or a toy Fun all the same and as Tmuir said, highly addictive Welcome! Chris Boy oh boy you guys answer quick. I have found that the chap from www.mamodonline.co.uk lives just a few minutes away! I'm off to see him later today. Will let you know how I get on. Chris. Sandman Best of luck Chris. Mamodman123 Chris wrote: Boy oh boy you guys answer quick. I have found that the chap from www.mamodonline.co.uk lives just a few minutes away! I'm off to see him later today. Will let you know how I get on. Chris. Great news hope you get what you want MM Manxman Morning Chris and welcome. Great choice to start with. I know you are thinking about new but lots of TE's on ebay and I'm sure you could pick up a good model for half what you would pay for a new one. If you see a Traction Engine (or Steam Roller) you fancy on ebay. Stick the link on the forums and I'm sure we'll all help you decide what a max price should be and if it is going to be a runner. I've got a fair few Mamod Traction Engines and have brought most of them from ebay with very little problem. Get a model and enjoy toy steam at its best. Griffin Hello Chris, welcome to the forum. If you do decide to buy a new TE1a and you want a meths burner, Forest classics do a repro one. Heres the link http://forest-classics.co.uk/bix%20025.htm Alternatively if you want an original Mamod one you will need to keep an eye on ebay, but they can sometimes be expensive, as they are no longer made. MooseMan Hi Chris, welcome to the forum, just chipping in my 2p's worth: TE1A: great choice for a first engine, but if I were you I'd go for a good used one from a reputable seller (I'm sure someone on the board can point you in the right direction). Buying a new one doesn't guarantee that it's 100% fine, they do have the odd manufacturing fault, and if you buy a used one as a "runner" you can at least be sure that it will run, and won't need running in. You can also fire the cr*p out of it and not worry about spoiling the nice factory finish oldstuff Hi Chris and welcome! If you go with a new model, those burner trays can also be used to burn Sterno, or other gel-type catering fuels found at hardware and houseware stores. This fuel will give similar performance to meths. A drawback had been messy deposits left on the tray, but I recently found out the tray cleans up like new with water and a stiff brushing. Chris Thanks for all the replies to my post. It is encouraging that this is such an active forum. I went to see the very helpful chap from Mamoddonline, departed with some Christmas money from the in-laws and left with a green TE1a. Also got to see some of the other Mamod models which I have to say were rather tempting (nice cars and vans)...and I want a railway around my garden! I think I will have to keep an eye out for second hand engines if I want another one. Thanks to Mamodman's website, which I read a chunk of before steaming up for the first time. I was surprised how much stuff washed out of the boiler when rinsed through with boiling water. oiled up moving parts. Then I went for a fire up, took a few goes with the control to get the hang of it, then it was wizzing around the kitchen! Seemed to run very smoothly. Ten minutes of fun that I have been looking forward to since I was about 10 years old (31 now). Thanks for the info chaps. Chris. SPOKESMAN We look forward to some pictures Chris! Steve_S Hello Chris and welcome to the forum. You'll fine plenty of Mamod advice here... and one or two other makes! oldstuff The man said he wanted a TE1A and, by God, he went right out and got one and steamed it! You gotta admire a guy like that. James Welcome to the forum mate! Stick around! MooseMan Brilliant Chris! As I'm sure you'll find, one engine is never enough I started out with one engine on my tenth birthday - a long gap followed, but in recent years I have gained another 27 engines - have a look at my website if you have a couple of mins. Mamodman123 You're hooked Chris Happy steaming! Roly Williams Wecome Chris. The others have just about covered everything and I've got nothing to add. You've made a good choice - both in the TE1A and in joining this forum. This is just about the most friendly forum I've ever joined and whatever you ask (well; within reason ) you'll get helpful advice. And by the way - there's nothing wrong with ignorance. We were all in that state to start with. On this forum, you learn something every day. MTA Welcome to the forum Chris. My first engine was a TE1A, bought new. It took me a couple of steamings for it to do anything, but I was ignorant of the ways of how to operate the blessed things! flywheel61 Welcome to the forum, Chris. The traction engine is a great start & you'll find each of the members has their own favourites. We're all here to have fun & exchange ideas, some of us are still learning and you'll find a great store house of knowledge on the forum. Above all enjoy your new hobby. Cheers Chris Chris Thanks for your messages of welcome! I had another steaming session in the evening, and sent it wizzing around the kitchen again...fantastic. Have the whistle a bit of a blast. One more question, didn't want to start a new thread for it. When finished I let it cool down, took the safety valve/filler out and shook what I could of the remaining water out. Then gave it a wipe over with a cloth. It is now being an ornament until I fire up again (probably tomorrow!). Anyway, was that the right thing to do to get the water out. It must still be very wet in the boiler. Thanks all! This is fun. Chris. MooseMan Absolutely the right thing - drain out all the water, give the flywheel a couple of spins so that there's no condensate left in any of the pipes. Lightly oil all the moving parts (including piston and cylinder) and put away with the safety valve removed from the boiler - that way it will dry out naturally. Great to hear you're enjoying yourself Griffin Chris wrote: Thanks for your messages of welcome! I had another steaming session in the evening, and sent it wizzing around the kitchen again...fantastic. Have the whistle a bit of a blast. One more question, didn't want to start a new thread for it. When finished I let it cool down, took the safety valve/filler out and shook what I could of the remaining water out. Then gave it a wipe over with a cloth. It is now being an ornament until I fire up again (probably tomorrow!). Anyway, was that the right thing to do to get the water out. It must still be very wet in the boiler. Thanks all! This is fun. Chris. Yes it is the right thing to do, let it stand for a while afterwards as water keeps dripping from around the axle spindle for quite some time. Roly Williams Griffin wrote: Chris wrote: Thanks for your messages of welcome! I had another steaming session in the evening, and sent it wizzing around the kitchen again...fantastic. Have the whistle a bit of a blast. One more question, didn't want to start a new thread for it. When finished I let it cool down, took the safety valve/filler out and shook what I could of the remaining water out. Then gave it a wipe over with a cloth. It is now being an ornament until I fire up again (probably tomorrow!). Anyway, was that the right thing to do to get the water out. It must still be very wet in the boiler. Thanks all! This is fun. Chris. Yes it is the right thing to do, let it stand for a while afterwards as water keeps dripping from around the axle spindle for quite some time. The only thing I'd add is to remove or loosed the safety valve before you let it cool down (using a rag if necessary). If you don't do this, a slight vacuum forms inside the boiler and sucks oil in from the cylinder. This is not disasterous but it's not a good idea to let it happen too often. James Chris, as you are quite new to the hobby, I would reccommend buying Roly William's booklet. It shows everything from running, to cleaning, to maintaining. A very good buy. TE1A_man Re: General questions from a newbie Chris wrote: Hello, Please excuse any ignorance in the following post, I am completely new to steam models, but interested in owning and running one or two. I am most interested in getting a TE1a as a first engine, possibly bought new so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with it (might see about getting used ones later). I also like the look of the roller, but would like to start with a traction engine. My questions are: 1) Do the new engines only run with solid fuel or can you use meths. If using meths do you need to make modifications/buy extra bits? 2) How long would a TE1a run for before needing refueling/more water? 3) How powerful are these engines, and has anyone put them to a practical use (haven't really thought this through, thinking along the lines of running a grinding stone to sharpen knives or something like that). I appreciate the stationary ones may be more powerful, but they don't yet hold the appeal for me as the mobiles. Thanks for your help. As I said please excuse my ignorance. Chris. Well, welcome chris. my 3rd engines was, and still is a TE1A. I bought mine last year, if you run them on solid fuel, esbit particulary not mamod, and fill them with boiling water, they should run for about 20 mins. You can convert a mamod solid fuel tray to meths by simply stuffing the tray with cotton, and thats it. A TE1A is more powerful than some stationaries, and with proper gearing down, they can lift/pull a heavy load. I have fixed a crane to the top of my TE1A, and it lifted 4 pounds, then the belt snapped. As for the accesories, most of them you have to use a metal spring band, they slip much more than a rubber band, but the spring belts can come apart, and be put back together. I suggest buying a older, less used mamod for i have has some build quality trouble on mine. SPOKESMAN Re: General questions from a newbie TE1A_man wrote: Chris wrote: Hello, Please excuse any ignorance in the following post, I am completely new to steam models, but interested in owning and running one or two. I am most interested in getting a TE1a as a first engine, possibly bought new so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with it (might see about getting used ones later). I also like the look of the roller, but would like to start with a traction engine. My questions are: 1) Do the new engines only run with solid fuel or can you use meths. If using meths do you need to make modifications/buy extra bits? 2) How long would a TE1a run for before needing refueling/more water? 3) How powerful are these engines, and has anyone put them to a practical use (haven't really thought this through, thinking along the lines of running a grinding stone to sharpen knives or something like that). I appreciate the stationary ones may be more powerful, but they don't yet hold the appeal for me as the mobiles. Thanks for your help. As I said please excuse my ignorance. Chris. Well, welcome chris. my 3rd engines was, and still is a TE1A. I bought mine last year, if you run them on solid fuel, esbit particulary not mamod, and fill them with boiling water, they should run for about 20 mins. You can convert a mamod solid fuel tray to meths by simply stuffing the tray with cotton, and thats it. A TE1A is more powerful than some stationaries, and with proper gearing down, they can lift/pull a heavy load. I have fixed a crane to the top of my TE1A, and it lifted 4 pounds, then the belt snapped. As for the accesories, most of them you have to use a metal spring band, they slip much more than a rubber band, but the spring belts can come apart, and be put back together. I suggest buying a older, less used mamod for i have has some build quality trouble on mine. What nonsense, that not only dangerous but essentially you are burning cotton wool with meths in. You need the gauze to seperate the flame for the medium which holds the fuel. TE1A_man not with mine, it works like a charm. SPOKESMAN Its your engine, use the correct burner for the correct fuel, thats my view. James Yep, and the solid fuel tray has holes in the corners. Load of twoddle! TE1A_man SPOKESMAN wrote: Its your engine, use the correct burner for the correct fuel, thats my view. Well, its my opinion that it works well, and i have never had it leak unless it is overfilled, in which i drain it from the corners. andyways, i mostly run it outside on our concrete driveway. SPOKESMAN TE1A_man wrote: SPOKESMAN wrote: Its your engine, use the correct burner for the correct fuel, thats my view. Well, its my opinion that it works well, and i have never had it leak unless it is overfilled, in which i drain it from the corners. andyways, i mostly run it outside on our concrete driveway. Fair enough Logan - its your choice, but youd find they would run better and safer with the correct burner. TE1A_man Yes, it does run better on esbit, but i have a dwindling supply of it, and the smells!!! Also, i can pick up a gallon of denatured alchohol at my hardware srore for 2 dollars. yosa Welcome Chris, My first engine was a TE1A as well, brilliant! As you've seen, everybody on the forum is really knowledgable, and really helpful. So far as the length of time a model can run is concerned, see "Oldstuff" who feeds his engines on steroids. Welcome again mate, and happy steamingt. sparky yep welcome to the forums mate my first mamod was a te1a but my first engine was a wilesco roller, good luck with buying your engine mate Mamodman123 Re: General questions from a newbie TE1A_man wrote: Chris wrote: Hello, Please excuse any ignorance in the following post, I am completely new to steam models, but interested in owning and running one or two. I am most interested in getting a TE1a as a first engine, possibly bought new so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with it (might see about getting used ones later). I also like the look of the roller, but would like to start with a traction engine. My questions are: 1) Do the new engines only run with solid fuel or can you use meths. If using meths do you need to make modifications/buy extra bits? 2) How long would a TE1a run for before needing refueling/more water? 3) How powerful are these engines, and has anyone put them to a practical use (haven't really thought this through, thinking along the lines of running a grinding stone to sharpen knives or something like that). I appreciate the stationary ones may be more powerful, but they don't yet hold the appeal for me as the mobiles. Thanks for your help. As I said please excuse my ignorance. Chris. Well, welcome chris. my 3rd engines was, and still is a TE1A. I bought mine last year, if you run them on solid fuel, esbit particulary not mamod, and fill them with boiling water, they should run for about 20 mins. You can convert a mamod solid fuel tray to meths by simply stuffing the tray with cotton, and thats it. A TE1A is more powerful than some stationaries, and with proper gearing down, they can lift/pull a heavy load. I have fixed a crane to the top of my TE1A, and it lifted 4 pounds, then the belt snapped. As for the accesories, most of them you have to use a metal spring band, they slip much more than a rubber band, but the spring belts can come apart, and be put back together. I suggest buying a older, less used mamod for i have has some build quality trouble on mine. Dangerous! TE1A_man ok, just to make you happy mamodman , i have soldered the edges and corners to make a seal. SPOKESMAN TE1A_man wrote: ok, just to make you happy mamodman , i have soldered the edges and corners to make a seal. Get a meths burner Logan - safer and cleaner too, plus you'll save on all that cotton wool! Mamodman123 TE1A_man wrote: ok, just to make you happy mamodman , i have soldered the edges and corners to make a seal. Better Chris Think I will stick with the solid fuel for now, they don't seem that expensive or difficult to get hold of. Can always review the situation later and get a meths burner. Mamodman123 Chris wrote: Think I will stick with the solid fuel for now, they don't seem that expensive or difficult to get hold of. Can always review the situation later and get a meths burner. Solid fuel does the job! If you buy an older model at a later date that will come with a meths burner which you could use for both! MM oldstuff TE1A_man wrote: Yes, it does run better on esbit, but i have a dwindling supply of it, and the smells!!! Also, i can pick up a gallon of denatured alchohol at my hardware srore for 2 dollars. Sounds like bullsh*t. My gallon cost $15.19. Mamodman123 oldstuff wrote: TE1A_man wrote: Yes, it does run better on esbit, but i have a dwindling supply of it, and the smells!!! Also, i can pick up a gallon of denatured alchohol at my hardware srore for 2 dollars. Sounds like bullsh*t. My gallon cost $15.19. It would cost way more than 2 dollars for a gallon IndianaRog Denatured alcohol (meths) pricing in the US I have to agree with Oldstuff, the last gallon of denatured alcohol (our US name for meths) I bought at my local hardware store cost just about $15 USD in the past year, even the quart cans go for about $4 USD each. In order of fuel preference, I rate meths in the middle: 1) electric is tops (no smell, virtually no visible cost, fast to get to and maintain a boil, no soot or cleanup needed after the fact, no firebox scorching and I have not yet run out in the middle of a steam up) 2) meths...seems like a can lasts a very long time and hence seems reasonable in cost of operation, but stinks like hell both in unburned and burned form 3) Esbit...stinks when burning, fairly costly and always seems I'm down to the last tablet When I run either meths or Esbit engines...I do so inside an extractor hood I build to vent the stink outside. Peace has once again returned to the Temple of Steam. I recognize for some...if it isn't fired with a flame, it's not real steaming...but if you can get past that hangup, electric is sweet...very sweet. cheers, Rog Mamodman123 I would personally rate Meths the highest! Having electric engines sort of stop me steaming any engine outside (if I had one). Plus I've never fully liked the idea of water and electricity together Meths doesn't smell that badly, no where near the horrible smell of solid fuel TE1A_man I guess i will have to get some and show you myself!! James I think you mean water mate Mamodman123 TE1A_man wrote: I guess i will have to get some and show you myself!! There is no profit in selling meths that cheap. Either the bloke selling it is really stupid, or you have misread the price tag James Or it's a bottle of water tmuir It's Moonshine! TE1A_man Mamodman123 wrote: TE1A_man wrote: I guess i will have to get some and show you myself!! There is no profit in selling meths that cheap. Either the bloke selling it is really stupid, or you have misread the price tag I have rechecked with them, it is still a resonable price though, about 10 dollars, my friend has a 2 quart for 4 dollars. TE1A_man tmuir wrote: It's Moonshine! You could burn brandy... don't know about the run time, or soot, just like bug spray!!! (that works well if you don't mind cleaning your boiler, so does axe body spray, both contain butane and propane, think about that when you are coating yourself with it next to a flame ) tmuir TE1A_man wrote: think about that when you are coating yourself with it next to a flame ) I'm always careful about anything flamable before I light up my burners. Do a quick check of my bench to ensure I've moved meths bottles, my Mapp gas torch, butane refills, turps etc well away before I light any fires. I live in the bush in the hills in a wood house and its bush fire season. A couple of weeks ago one house got burnt down that was only about 1 km from my house and yesterday we had a small bush fire 2 streets away from my house. I'm well aware of the dangers of fire as I'm also a member of our State Emergency Service I sometimes provide support to the bush fire brigade which can mean entering the fire grounds. Its a strange feeling driving down a track wth fires on both sides of the roads you are driving down. TE1A_man Don't swerve You might end up like this guy SPOKESMAN TE1A_man wrote: Don't swerve You might end up like this guy Microwaved? tmuir SPOKESMAN wrote: TE1A_man wrote: Don't swerve You might end up like this guy Microwaved? If you want to microwave something try this link. http://www.goldfiles.com/portal.php?fileid=85 TE1A_man Well, there wasen't a guy on fire, so i got the next best thing James Tmuir, you said you check about flammable stuff, so do you like sniff your pits before you light it? tmuir James wrote: Tmuir, you said you check about flammable stuff, so do you like sniff your pits before you light it? Geeze James I didn't know I smelt that bad you could smell me all the way over in the UK.        The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> General discussion Page 1 of 1