Steam Mods, Restorations and Repairs

This is a collection of things I have done and discoveries that I have made while working on my toy steam engines. Parts and for that matter complete engines are not that readily available so one has to improvise quite often. I have included a glossary of common terms associated with toy steam engines.

Modifications, Restorations and Repairs

Mamod Locomotive

- Putting an altered SL-1 back together.

Mamod TE1 Modification

- Mamod tractor modification, drive geared down, steering and governor added.

Whistle Handle

- Turning a replacement handle for a Weeden whistle.

Running On Air

- How to run a steam engine on air.
wheel thumb

Mamod Wheel in Wilesco Rim

- Modifing a Wilesco tractor wheel wit a Mamod wheel as hub.

 

Shop and Tool Info

Selecting a Lathe
Parts of a Lathe
Lathe Tooling

- What you need to know before purchasing a lathe.

Threads 101

- Discussses the types of threads you will encounter working on toy steam engines.

Sheet Metal 101

- Covers the types of sheet metals you will find working on toy steam engines.

Quick Projects & Tips

Chuff Pot

- Container to collect exhaust waste from model steam engine made from Weeden boiler.

Grounded Power Cord

- Two methods of making grounded power cords.

Making Gaskets

- How to make a die to punch gaskets and washers.

Mamod Tractor Hubcap Removal

- How to remove hubcaps on TE1 and TE1a's.

Rolling Road

- Rolling road made from skateboard axle assemblies.

Thread Gauge

- Handy gauge to identify threads.

Weeden 14 Burner

- Burner made from rectangular tubing.

Jensen 75 Burner

- Burner made from sink tail piece.
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Shortening Machine Screws

- How to shorten machine screws so they are not damaged and are easy to start in the thread.

Meccano Projects

Pile Driver

- Pile driver powerd by Meccano MEC1 steam engine.

Interesting Links

Atlas 618 Lathe Projects