Archive for Freesteam For collectors and enthusiasts of all steam engines          Freesteam Forum Index -> Tips and advice Franco Further Doll entertainment! I finally got to steam my big Doll tonight, and it ran quite smoothly if a little feebly as there were a few leaks. After stopping these I lit the burner again- imagine my surprise when as I flicked the flywheel over this happened..... That's right, the cylinder fell off!!...it seems to have been attached by some sort of glue.                                          Franco. Nick I had a similar problem with an engine, but I bought it that way (saved me about $200 too! ) Have you fixed it yet? I'm guessing there's a tin cylinder cover that you've removed? I removed the parts before soldering, made sure everything was very clean and the holes were lined up: And it worked! Spokesmann Bad news Franco, a thorough clean up and fresh fluxing of the joint will help the solder together well. Let us know how you do! Interesting shot Nick to see the port arrangements there, not something that is seen that often. newts Looks like Epoxy or similar was used   Should solder up OK, then we need a vid of it running silverfoxsteam Oh B****r! Good luck with the repair mate. I had an SEL cylinder fall apart but that was my fault overdoing the heat whilst trying to re-solder the steam pipe. Went back together ok though! silverfoxsteam Thinking more about this, you need to create more of a soldered 'fillet' rather than a joint as you don't want the solder running into the interface and potentially blocking the ports! I'd clean it all really well to get a good close fit, clamp the two parts tightly and very carefully flux the outside where you want the fillet. A low melting point solder should allow you to do both sides independently (hopefully). Again, good luck! Mamod Collector Sorry to hear about your Doll Frank, at least now you can make a proper repair Unlike the previous owner Franco Thanks for the encouragement Gents. Because there is a small bridge between the ports I plan to tin all of the contact area of the block, then clamp the parts together and apply some heat. p.s. I had a closer look at the residue this morning...superglue!!!                                    Franco. newts Run around the inside of the port holes with a soft pencil before soldering, it helps stop the solder being drawn in & stops it from sticking. silverfoxsteam Franco wrote: Thanks for the encouragement Gents. Because there is a small bridge between the ports I plan to tin all of the contact area of the block, then clamp the parts together and apply some heat. Sounds a good plan. (I like the tip about the pencil Mike - that could be useful to me in future.) Scorpion2nz it is a bu***r when some one does dodgy repairs and I like the idea of the soft pencil .I must file that somewhere in my memory cell for future reference Mamod Collector Scorpion2nz wrote: I must file that somewhere in my memory cell for future reference         Franco I dis-assembled the Doll cylinder, the end is just pressed in, and as I haven't seen one open before took a pic...14mm bore, 25mm stroke.                                        Franco. Spokesmann Interesting, Wilesco today still use a very tight press fit cylinder and end. Franco Doll. Finally steamed the Doll last night- it turns out the piston/cylinder is pretty worn. It took the Fleischmann burner with all vapourisers lighting to keep it going at even a moderate speed. I made a vid, but there was so much steam around the place the lens fogged ...my best option seems to be adding a ring to the piston.                                                Franco. Spokesmann Good luck Franco! Franco Spokesmann wrote: Good luck Franco! Thanks Mike....I'll need it.                                              Franco. Mamod Collector Sorry to hear about your Doll Frank, hope you get it sorted   Franco Mamod Collector wrote: Sorry to hear about your Doll Frank, hope you get it sorted   Thanks Mike, in time hopefully....for the moment it's a handsome ornament.                                        Franco. silverfoxsteam This sort of thing is so annoying but I suppose a bit surprising that it doesn't happen more often. After all theses little engines are supposed to be used. I'd try a ring too. The groove can be formed quite easily in a drill chuck if a lathe isn't available, but first one needs to locate a suitable ring. Mersey Models engines use fibre packing (PTFE cord will do) but Mamod locos' uprated cylinders use silicone o rings. The 'high power' cylinders available for the regular Mamod engines simple have an oil retaining groove the increase the compression (may be worth trying that before packing the groove). Personally, I'd go for a silicone o ring. Try this supplier, if you can't identify and locate the correct size from here ther's no hope! http://www.altecweb.com/home.asp?cat=category8200 Good luck! newts Does the piston screw onto the con rod ? If it does, you can fit a felt disc at the end of the piston & screw it all back together. Hopefully you'll have it up & running soon, whichever repairs undertaken        Freesteam Forum Index -> Tips and advice Page 1 of 1