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CCairns
Steam fanatic
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 1425
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
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johnreid
Steam Supreme Being
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 10699
Location: Friendship Indiana, USA
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 Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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I think those are the best. You need to go to Home Depot and buy some Denatured Alcohol in the paint department. Denatured Alcohol is the American version of what they are calling METHS here. I wish that I had another burner just like that.
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Griffin
Steam Legend!!
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 2769
Location: Cheshire, UK
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum.
A lovely example of a TE1a you have there, and a great display board.
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shaygetz
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Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 192
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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Great, thanks, I'm glad I waited 'til tomorrow. I couldn't imagine the damage I'd have done burning Esbit on that. Looks like I had some serious beginner's luck with both the price, the base AND a spirits burner. A video will be forth coming as soon as I get some denatured alcohol.
Thank you for the welcome, Griffin.
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IndianaRog
Steam Legend!!
Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 6165
Location: Indiana, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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Bob, denatured alcohol can be found at Lowes Home Improvement stores, ACE hardware and Walmart. Quarts and Gallons!!
Vastly superior fuel if you have the burner to take it.
cheers,
Roger
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shaygetz
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Joined: 19 Jan 2008
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Location: USA
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johnreid
Steam Supreme Being
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 10699
Location: Friendship Indiana, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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I use it indoors and there is hardly any odor at all. Common sense has to be used as there is a flame involved. I do not see any problems in your case.
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mc_mc
Hero Steamer
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 1734
Location: Milton Keynes
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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May I add my welcome too!
Looks like a nice engine you've got there. The ones with the overflow screw and that meths burner are much better than the modern ones with the sight glass (actually made of plastic) and solid fuel burner. And that custom base is something special.
I'll add a few pointers on running for you...
Give the boiler a few rinses with boiling water before the first time you use it just to wash out anything that might be in there, you don't want to clog one of the steam tubes.
Make sure the safety valve isn't stuck before you run it, just press up on the spring and the top should move upwards. Depending on how it's been stored the washers and o-ring may of perished a bit, you'll see when you fire it up, it will leak a lot of steam and the engine won't run very well if they're not up to scratch. But it's normal to see some seepage.
Maybe run it outside stationary until you get used to it, then attach the drive band and run it indoors. It's best to run it on tiles or vinyl as it will drip a bit of oily water from the cylinder. don't ruin the wife's best carpet 
If you refill the burner make sure you refill the boiler with water too and you can't go far wrong.
Don't let the children touch it when running as it will get rather hot, even the reversing lever gets hot, using a bit of leather to handle the engine is a good idea.
It's normal for the first few runs to not be very good on a new engine, things need running in to get it up to full performance. Just give the cylinder and piston plenty of oil and it will wear itself in.
Happy steaming! 
Last edited by mc_mc on Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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shaygetz
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Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 192
Location: USA
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shaygetz
Junior Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 192
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:35 am Post subject: |
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I am much indebted to you MC for your added tips. I am afraid I am guilty of the "just put it on the tracks and run it" when it comes to teaching newcomers about model trains. I appreciate the warning about washing the boiler...wouldn't want my little ones to see me fall to my knees sobbing like a schoolgirl now, would we?
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Mister Occlusion
Steam Legend!!
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 3719
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:02 am Post subject: |
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G'day
Nice model, and that base is first class.
Those burners are made to be pretty forgiving. Just don't absolutely flood it with alcohol to the point where it pools on top.
The fuel expands as it heats up, and there is always a risk of an overfilled burner spilling over the sides.
It will also take a few minutes for the burner to heat up to where the flame is at its peak. Just be mindful that the flames can often wrap up around the boiler and come past the shield on top, which could mean toasted fingers if you grab for the whistle.
I wear lightweight leather gauntlets myself (don't tell James, but they're sheep skin...). Thin enough that I don't lose dexterity, and thick enough that I can handle the hot stuff and get plenty of warning before a burn happens.
They look cool besides
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Nick
Steam Legend!!
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 7092
Location: Minnesota, USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| Would esbit have wrecked the burner? I know that sometimes when I have used it, it leaves a wax residue that runs out the burner. I am guessing it would plug up the burner screen. |
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shaygetz
Junior Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 192
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Occlusion. I have a good set in the shop to use. I was wondering just how fired up the little booger can get---those gloves in your avatar no doubt say it all.
I'm still intrigued by the response to the base. I truly believed it was a factory original sold with it for display purposes. Whoever made it had cutters that matched the diameter of each wheel front and rear. I'd love to know what the plaque originally said...maybe it was a presentation piece for a steam club, the base having been made by a trophy/plaque company, there is no evidence of the tractor having ever been fired.
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Nick
Steam Legend!!
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 7092
Location: Minnesota, USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:56 am Post subject: |
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I do love the gloves with the black fingertips, but I don't see the need for them, besides looking cool!  |
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tmuir
Steam Supreme Being
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 14084
Location: Western Australia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:02 am Post subject: |
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| ncseverson wrote: | | I do love the gloves with the black fingertips, but I don't see the need for them, besides looking cool! |
Wait until you get a Meths fired Mamod Se3 then you might want some gloves.
I don't have as impressive goves as Mr O but with the old meths fred Se3 the flames can actually wrap around the boiler and engulf the regulator lever and if you are running it outside you can hardly see the blue flame but you sure feel it when you go to adjust the speed. 
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine |
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