Archive for Freesteam For collectors and enthusiasts of all steam engines          Freesteam Forum Index -> The 3Rs... Restoration, renovation and refurbishment! silverfoxsteam Plane L5 refurb 2 - the Fox's challenge! Well it's arrived and it just goes to show how sometimes the heart can rule the head! Some shots after initial dis-assembly... The safety valve, whistle and piston & cylinder were all seized but have responded to WD40 sufficiently for their removal. Some close-ups of the problem areas... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! OK - the chimney's no problem (Spokes' given me the vital stats), I know a man down south who might make me a new cap for the oiler, and the firebox front's been vandalised, but as it's a tabbed construction it's easy to replace, but what about all that solder? I think an experimental steaming may be advisable (or maybe just air to start with!).  The N&B TE1 will haqve to wait a bit longer, and the Lion's looking restless, what to do next, what to do? Life's full of challenges isn't it? MTA One hell of a task you have set yourself there, Steve! Just do what I do and create lots of piles of parts that you will get around to putting back together 'one day'! Mamod Collector It looks a bit rough now Steve, But with a few hours of TLC spent on it I'tl be a real stunner, post lots of pics of you refurb   Spokesmann Clean everything up and see whats underneath, things alway look a bit better once the initial grime is removed! Looking forward to seeing what happens here Stephen! silverfoxsteam Thanks for the encouragement chaps! Does anyone happen to know if the whistle unscrews from the boiler? It's being very reluctent but I'll perservere with the WD40 as long as I know the thing's designed to come off! Spokesmann silverfoxsteam wrote: Thanks for the encouragement chaps! Does anyone happen to know if the whistle unscrews from the boiler? It's being very reluctent but I'll perservere with the WD40 as long as I know the thing's designed to come off! Good question, never attempted to remove it from L5, Ill check. 8_10 Brass Cleaner I think you'll have to take the end cap off Stephen, all will become aparent then. 20 minuites work silverfoxsteam I'll not remove the whistle just for the sake of it - a bit of compressed air will show if it's needed I think. John Chapman silverfoxsteam wrote: Does anyone happen to know if the whistle unscrews from the boiler? It's being very reluctent but I'll perservere with the WD40 as long as I know the thing's designed to come off! The whistle on my L5 certainly unscrews.  In fact it has been replaced at some time by a brass bolt! Spokesmann John's L5 at Exeter! John Chapman Spokesmann wrote: John's L5 at Exeter! I  have a feeling I recognise that engine   Spokesmann How are things progressing on this one Stephen? silverfoxsteam Ah well - at the moment it's sort of waiting in the queue! I've established the size of the chimney (with your help) and obtained the correct size tube,but I've not stripped it any further as yet - if I do I'll have yet another bag of bits which are too easily mislaid! I'll post photos of the strip-down in due course. Spokesmann I know what you about queues, I pulled out my Arrow boats today from a workshop tidy-up, Im going get the project re-started - which can be a bit of a drag for me. Spokesmann Any progress Stephen?, I know you've had your head turned by a Bowman . . . silverfoxsteam The Lion's next for completion (not far off), and then I'll 'take off' with the Plane. Ha ha, ... get it ... 'take off'... Plane... ha ha... hmmmmm. Spokesmann Get your coat.... Spokesmann Get your coat.... silverfoxsteam OK - now the two Bowmans are sorted it's on with the L5...  finally. Watch this space (but don't hold your breath!) Spokesmann Look forward to it Stephen... One just went on ebay - £144 - bit on the high side I thought. silverfoxsteam Spokesmann wrote: One just went on ebay - £144 - bit on the high side I thought. I've actually stopped doing all the thorough searches, so I missed that one. Nice to know they're fetching good prices (that's if you've already got one of course!). I've spotted that M122 up in a few days' time though, it's one of the few I promised myself this year (the Burnac was another). silverfoxsteam Right then folks. Took the strip-down a little further last night. It's now reduced to a minimum (almost). The steam feed and exaust pipes came away easily, a bit too easily actually as they weren't soldered to the distribution block, just push-fitted into deep recesses! Maybe another L5 owner would confirm whether or not this is as intended? The boiler was in a horrible state... I've started to remove the excess solder and this is the interim result... The soldering on the end caps, s/v bush and steam 'dome' was very messy but appears to be sound (fingers crossed). Still unsure about the whistle - it's been soldered (what a surprise!) and I don't see why it should be removed, so it'll stay where it is for now. The base is now ready for stripping and repainting... Here's the firebox after removal from the base showing the bent up burner end... ...and here are the four components... Now I need a little help please. I've straightened the burner end piece but it seems to have been cut back as the lower fixing tabs are missing. Could I please have a photo of this end as it should be? I've got the tube for a replica chimney but need to sort out the making of a new cap for the oiler. I've got some tinplate if I need to fabricate a new firebox end. Progress...progress...(as someone said). John Chapman silverfoxsteam wrote: The steam feed and exaust pipes came away easily, a bit too easily actually as they weren't soldered to the distribution block, just push-fitted into deep recesses! Maybe another L5 owner would confirm whether or not this is as intended? The pipes on my L5 are soldered silverfoxsteam wrote: Could I please have a photo of this end as it should be? Here you go Stephen   Spokesmann Mine are soldered too! Spokesmann A few images from another thread... Before I painted the lamp and steam pipes. Whistle has been carefully stuck with epoxy resin. The cylinder has the 'half round' look of the L4s The burner incorporates a tab which locates in the firebox base, holding it in position. This will be painted, the similarities with the PW203 burner is obvious. Engine unit is similar to the Luton Bowman PW203. Integral oiler. silverfoxsteam Thanks Mike, that pic of the firebox end is just what  needed - looks like I'll have to make a replacement! Spokesmann Do you have the lamp Stephen, Johns and mines L5s give a good idea of what needs to be done. The firebox is the worst on yours. Im a big fan of these engines... silverfoxsteam No burner Mike - I'll replace the firebox end as it was meant to be and use a burner that fits. Thanks for your photos too John. Spokesmann A PW203 will be nice.... John Chapman Spokesmann wrote: A PW203 will be nice.... Indeed it would   Spokesmann Im mean the burner will fit nice! John Chapman silverfoxsteam wrote: No burner Mike - I'll replace the firebox end as it was meant to be and use a burner that fits. That not a bad idea anyway.  My only criticism of the L5 is that the original twin tube burner is really to big for the engine and can tend to envelope it in flames.  At Exeter last October I tried running mine with the burner from a “Luton” PW201 and it ran very happily, despite the “Luton” burner only having one tube and at least half the wick area of the original one from the L5. John Chapman Spokesmann wrote: Im mean the burner will fit nice! I mean I'd love a PW203   Spokesmann I know! They are nice engines indeed. silverfoxsteam John Chapman wrote: My only criticism of the L5 is that the original twin tube burner is really to big for the engine and can tend to envelope it in flames.  At Exeter last October I tried running mine with the burner from a “Luton” PW201 and it ran very happily, despite the “Luton” burner only having one tube and at least half the wick area of the original one from the L5. Thanks for the advice John - I'll start small! silverfoxsteam John Chapman wrote: I mean I'd love a PW203   Got one - I'd almost forgotten, it's in the queue for the 'Silver Fox Treatment'. MFSteam silverfoxsteam wrote: John Chapman wrote: I mean I'd love a PW203   Got one - I'd almost forgotten, it's in the queue for the 'Silver Fox Treatment'. If you had two it could get some of the MF treatment   Spokesmann PW204 . . .   silverfoxsteam Spokesmann wrote: PW204 . . .   Yeh - an 'East Grinstead Bowman'. silverfoxsteam Well the first bit's finished... One un-knackered safety valve... The spring had disintegrated, the steel locknut fell to bits, but the brass was all ok as you'd expect (and that includes the spring's securing nut). This is what it looked like: Cleaned up with a new spring, hi-temp silicone 'O' ring and the job's done. Can't decided which bit to tackle next! Spokesmann Go on pick a component! silverfoxsteam OK - I think it'll be the firebox end just because I've never done any tinplate cutting & bending before! Spokesmann silverfoxsteam wrote: OK - I think it'll be the firebox end just because I've never done any tinplate cutting & bending before! Are you replaceing just the really bad front opening part? silverfoxsteam Spokesmann wrote: Are you replaceing just the really bad front opening part? Yes, that's the plan. The other bits are fine. Spokesmann Aye, a case of if it aint broke . . . . silverfoxsteam Spokesmann wrote: Aye, a case of if it aint broke . . . . Yeh - only in my case it's more of a case of ... make sure I don't break it!!!! silverfoxsteam Right then - the firebox end. I had a piece of tinplate that was with my old Hornby tinplate railway, 'though it wasn't anything to do with it! I think it was the body of a tipping wagon (road not rail). I recall my dad used to use it as an ash tray when we were playing with the 00 layout up in the attic, forty five years ago at least! Quite nostalgic really, the traces of ash where he stubbed them out are still there. This is where someone tells me I've just cut up a hugely valuable piece of tinplate toy memrobelia - if that's true then PLEASE DON'T TELL ME! The problem was that no single piece was big enough to replace the original part,so I went for a compromise. I made a new lower half and bolted them togther, (I didn't think soldering was a good idea!). There we are - just needs cleaning and painting before reassembly. Spokesmann Thats should look the business when de-rusted and painted. Excellent metal work Stephen. Ive just been cutting and marking brass sheet this afternoon for my new Arrow project - that looks quite fiddly esp with the locating tabs. Spokesmann Any news on the L5 Stephen? silverfoxsteam Ah well - err - um   - it's sort of on the back burner again at the moment. Negotiations are pending for another L5 that could mean a bit of 'hybriding'. It'll definately get done - honest! Spokesmann Look forward to seeing it! Spokesmann Look forward to seeing it! silverfoxsteam OK - a few developments in the continuing saga. Thanks to the good offices of the Freesteam Forum (may it's name be praised on high), I have acquired another L5 which was similarly in need of some TLC. It arrived yesterday having had a lot of preliminary work done by the last owner (a man of infinate skill and dexterity with a gas torch and makes a mean Bowman oil tap, oh and those funny little engines with the cylinders facing each other). The major advantage of the new engine is that it's got its burner. I intend to restore all the parts, hybridise the two and retain the better version  for the collection - the other will go either to the highest bidder or the first offer that covers the costs! Spokesmann Great stuff, you have all the makings now of a first class engine! MFSteam L5's   Spokesmann MFSteam wrote: L5's   MFSteam Spokesmann wrote: MFSteam wrote: L5's   only two joints he said Spokesmann MFSteam wrote: Spokesmann wrote: MFSteam wrote: L5's   only two joints he said Well worth it to see another L5 brought back to the land of the living. Spokesmann How's this one going Stephen? silverfoxsteam Well the thread's getting longer. Is there a record for the most pages? Spokesmann Murphy! (Longest thread). So I take that you've been bedazzled by Bings and diverted by Dolls. silverfoxsteam Not particularly - more a case of not enough time to get stuck into the first major job (L5's), but just enough time here and there to complete lots of little jobs, more of which anon... I'll just go and check on the length of the Murphy thread (so far). silverfoxsteam The story continues... ... but don't get too excited, it's only a little bit of progress! Some painting of the firebox parts (I opted for BBQ paint as I didn't want a really shiny finish. (The top left is the repaired part with the overlapped and bolted tinplate.) I've had the new tube for the missing chimney cut to length for some time, so after a little sawing, filing and hitting the right size socket with a big hammer into the end, we now have a chimney each... What's next? Well I think the fireboxes may be finished in the not too distant future (you've all heard that before mind). Mamod Collector Thats a cracking chimmney youv'e made Steve   John Chapman Mamod Collector wrote: Thats a cracking chimmney youv'e made Steve   Indeed it is, Stephen, first rate   Spokesmann Great work! silverfoxsteam Aw gosh - you're all too kind. I must admit that I really rather like making chimnies (or is it chimneys?). Spokesmann silverfoxsteam wrote: Aw gosh - you're all too kind. I must admit that I really rather like making chimnies (or is it chimneys?). The latter grammatically its a strange one. Phantom plane chimney love the new chimney. parden my ignorance, but how did you flare out the end of the tube? Nick Re: plane chimney Phantom wrote: love the new chimney. parden my ignorance, but how did you flare out the end of the tube? I've done it with a flaring tool a few times, but was also wondering how you do it with a socket. Nice work! Spokesmann Looking forward to seeing this one come to completion soon Stephen! A very worthwhile engine to bring back to steaming condition. Not been many L5s around recently. Certainly one of my favourite engines of the period. Understated elegance. silverfoxsteam Re: plane chimney Phantom wrote: love the new chimney. parden my ignorance, but how did you flare out the end of the tube? I'll see if I can get a photo organised to show off my highly sophisticated technique! Phantom plane chimney I am looking forward to seeing your "sophisticated technique" My engineering skills are very basic and turning a "plane" tube into a chimney has got to be good to learn.                Freesteam Forum Index -> The 3Rs... Restoration, renovation and refurbishment! Page 1 of 1