The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Stitch · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:52 am Post subject: SEL Standard Restoration

Over the past 5 months I have bought a small number of SELs via ebay. All of them have needed some work.

Here is the latest - an SEL standard.

It looked great apart from the dodgy soldering around the steam dome and the painted flywheel.

However, when it arrived it was a mess. Solder slapped on like butter on the bottom of the boiler, all the joints to the oiler broken and leaking like a sieve despite all the solder. It is was also rather scratched (someone has taken a file to it at some stage) - however, the boiler is rather grainy.

When I was remvoing the excess solder I noticed a horrible smell and smoke pouring out. Decided to remove the end caps and it was full of baked-on oil 2-3mm thick and all the pipes were clogged. A devil of a job to remove.

Here is the cleaned up boiler.

I faced a challenge with the union nut and the steam done. I removed the nut and the excess solder, but couldn't for the life of my get the small threaded part out of the dome. Tried all kinds of tricks (cheers, Mamodman) but the bl**dy thing wouldn't budge. It was also a challenge to solder all the pipes into the oiler and the oiler pipes to the cylinder plate. There isn't much room to move on the SEL.

A lot of swearing was involved and the partner and kids taking refuge outside! As I soldered one connector to the oiler, the other would come loose. Eventually found that using small heatsink tweezer things (that you use in electronics) were great in drawing off excess heat.)

Anyway, here is the completed job. The joining of the union nut to the dome isn't perfect, but is better than what it was before.

I lost a lot of the gold paint during the repair and decided to remove it all.

On a positive note, the two wick burner that came with it is in excellent nick. Shame the battery on the camera went flat.

cheers also to Roly for advice and some pics

Wallace · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:30 am Post subject:

Stitch, that's a great cleanup mate.

Looks great. Good job

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Stitch · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:28 am Post subject:

Cranko · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:54 am Post subject:

Youhave made the proverbial silk purse from a sows ear. well done mate

tmuir · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

That's come up great, a job well done.

One trick I do to stop parts coming unsoldered when soft soldering near to it is to get a paper towel, dunk it in some water and wrap it around the part I don't want to desolder, had never thought about using a heat sink clip I must admit.
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Cranko · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:52 am Post subject:

You have done the same think Tony, taking the heat away from where it is not wanted, some times i just put a pair of pliers between the heat and other soldered parts

Wallace · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

MooseMan · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

Fantastic job Stitch - brought back from the graveyard that one!
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:18 am Post subject:

Glad to see it finished Stitch! Looks a dream now! MY SEL boiler is like that, not the best brass you will find....
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Stitch · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:09 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. The missues is more pleased to have it completed than all of us

Tony: I agree - wet paper or a wet cloth is best. With this engine, it was too flddly and the space too tight around the oiler as I had to solder it in place and I kept setting the paper alight. Hence the heatsink. It worked worked surprisingly well.

Mamodman: I was surprised with the boiler. On the other side you can clearly see what looks like grain on it. Certainly not the best brass.

Sandman · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

Great job Stitch.

It's really rewarding when we see an engine brought back to working condition and looking so well.

Well done mate.

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Sandman · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

Great job Stitch.

It's really rewarding when we see an engine brought back to working condition and looking so well.

Well done mate.

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Ouch! Where's the burn cream

Did someone mention Bowman?

IndianaRog · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject:

Stitch, faboulous job of resurrection there...your "debodging" of all that solder was first rate. Your comments about oil in the boiler made me wonder if the user just squirted it in the boiler for good measure figuring that would help with lubing...OR whether he didn't release pressure and it got drawn back to boiler from the lubricator on cooldown. Maybe both!!!

BUT it is healed now and in the best of care...long life ahead!!

Rog
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

Steve_S · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject:

Great job Stitch, it certainly looks good now!