A STUART NUMBER 9 BOUGHT ONLINE - IN THE WORKSHOP

[@misfitsailor]

I will re-watch this any time I am tempted to buy a used steam engine on eBay instead of machining my own. A cautionary tale.

[@Zappyguy111]

I can feel my desk wobbling from here in Australia.

[@zukowski2023]

Keith you are so right, the "lure" of really well taken photographs can be difficult to fight. At first glance it looks like a nice little engine (until you start getting into it's soul...lol.) then it's another story all together. To coin a musical phrase, "she's a 3 dressed up as a 9". Great job on the diagnosis sir. Lesson learned.. Thanks & Cheers

[@Captain_Char]

This reminds me of my Stuart S50 I bought online, it was listed as working, however the piston rod was slightly bent, and two screws that held the actual cylinder on were missing, after ordering replacement parts from stuart, the engine seems to work, however I do believe it still has timing issues, again as you said in your video, need to be careful what you bid on

Blimey, that fly-wheel goes like the privy door when the plague's in town.

[@keithappleton]

a nice turn of phrase, I will remember that one {:-)))

[@DubsnSubsSessions]

@@keithappleton Did you remember? Seems more relevant than ever right about now...

[@donstor1]

Yep, I have browsed eBay looking at engines however I have not purchased any because of this. The only time I would consider buying one is if I knew that you were the person that built it. I don’t know how is who in the world of steam engines and I have learned not to go by the picture. I did buy a trumpet once that was fantastic. The seller had no real idea what he had and it has become my favorite horn. I was very lucky.

[@stxrynn]

All these troubleshooting tips apply to other machines as well. I've seen the same floppy rotating on belts, pulleys and motors. Good info with a wide application.

[@machiningbasics1729]

Ahaha reminds me of the full size stoker engine I’ve just repaired and done a video on. It’s slightly more scary when the flywheel is 2 foot diameter! Thanks for all these amazing videos you do. They help people get into model engineering and develop there skills.

[@stephenrice4554]

Clear information, demonstration and explanation. Lovely 👍🇬🇧

[@keithappleton]

Glad it was helpful {:-)))

[@82lostsoul]

I had similar issues with a 10H I bought several years ago from the same source. When I got it I noticed the main bearings were very loose, they were also out of square with the axis of the cylinder, on closer inspection the flywheel had been bored drunk just like this one, and the crank was bent. I managed to source a replacement crank ready to fit, only to find it was thinner than the one already on it so nothing else would fit! I could have fixed it but lack of time meant it was boxed up and sold on!

[@randynovick7972]

Very much enjoyed this workshop assessment, and seeing how you decide on what's too costly to work on, given the investment made by the buyer. Many thanks as always.

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour Keith, I fully agree with you, buying on Internet is not obvious, technically speaking. I have bought two machines like that, reasonable price, and the first one has been fully rebuilt while the second one is now a bookends. A proverb says "Never two without three", I hope to make him lie. Amicalement, Raphaël

[@debeeriz]

it looks good and it ticks over, what more could you wish for, its not as though they are going to power it on steam and run a saw mill with it, it will spend 99% of its life as a static model like most model steam engines

[@davebradford8393]

I just finished construction of a P M Research #1BI. It's my first attempt at machining a kit engine. It's a mess but I'm proud of it. From a distance it actually looks pretty good, so you're right. It will probably spend most of it's (my) life sitting on a shelf. It runs well enough for display but has a constant leak through the exhaust. Bad machining in the steam chest. I have no intention of selling it, but, who knows, One of my sons just might do that.

[@frankyboy4409]

Heck, I'm no expert and even I see the issues with this engine when it runs. But hey, might be an interesting project to try and fix it. On the last picture you also see hwo the bearing is drilled absolutely off-center on top of what you already pointed out.

[@keithappleton]

Yes I saw that but it's fairly common on these types of bearings where the top cap is also the bearing - I don't know why though, maybe it is a dimension error.

[@ian-c.01]

I noticed the main bearings were bored off centre, could that have something to do with the cross head problem ?

[@Steve-uq7np]

I would say...its a challenge...but, you have had far to meany challenges in your career....so at this point....do what you will sir....cheers

[@DubsnSubsSessions]

Just looked on Stuarts site. The casting kit for this engine is around £400 ex vat, the machined kit is around £1400 ex vat, fair enough, the assembled version is over £3k, how does this make sense? It's around £1700 for them to assemble it? I'm not surprised nearly every engine you ever get your hands on is beyond economical repair if your pricing structure is anything like theirs...

[@keithappleton]

My pricing structure seems to work OK . . . .

[@DubsnSubsSessions]

@@keithappleton It was more of a joke about their pricing but ok... Also, the castings are expensive, there's no way around that. So, how are so many of these models 'badly made'? I agree that they are, but you'd think the builders would have half a clue before committing to fucking them up? Its disappointing to see to say the least.

[@keithappleton]

I come across a lot of badly made ones, but that is the hobby . . . not everyone starts off with great engineering skills. A lot of model steam engines are part of someone's learning curve - often mine too - I learn something from every project }:-)))

[@tompekarna]

I think Stuarts policy for casting replacement requires sending back the defective casting and they will then replace it. With the slowdown of shipping and time needed for round trip from central US to UK and back, 1 1/2 -2 months is lost. This is a long tine when you are 80

[@keithappleton]

It never used to be like that - They just replaced defective castings and very quickly too . . .

[@stephenrice4554]

It's a long time when you're 66 . A fair guarantee but strewth . 👍🇬🇧

[@tobyw9573]

The number “nine” is a magical sounding number: Engine, engine number nine Going down Chicago Line If the train should jump the track Will I get my money back?

[@colinstu]

What do you do with bad ones like this? Keep it? Throw it away? If you just bin it.. what happens if you ran this at a high rate of speed, but without additional oil? Could record that and show what happens. Does it explode or just seize up.

[@willemkossen]

Colin Stuart its not his engine, so its up to the customer to decide.

[@keithappleton]

er ..... I do this commercially, I rebuild these engines mainly for paying customers most of the time, so I would not wish to do anything stupid with it really .......

[@colinstu]

oh I thought this one was one you bought personally. obviously wouldn't do it with a customer's.

[@samuel_excels]

Keith, if your customer does decide to throw money at it to get this repaired by yourself would you do a series on it?

[@keithappleton]

Yes I would, it would make for an interesting series I think . . . I could make it look good and perform well, but it's all down to the practicalities of cost ..... {:-)))

[@hastyone9048]

How do you determine what is worth fixing and what is not? If a customer is willing to pay you for your time and efforts and you fully disclose up front the problems with a particular job what difference does it make to you?

[@keithappleton]

I make the choice based on my opinion of whether the condition of the model and the cost of the repair job is less or more than the finished model is worth. It is not a question of making a huge profit as I am retired and this is my retirement hobby, so if I don't like it - I don't do it.

[@hastyone9048]

Keith Appleton ....So if a particular model has sentimental value to a customer and that customer is willing to pay regardless of cost vs. value after repaired, would you do the job?

[@keithappleton]

There are exceptions to my rule . . . .

[@jeZZa7810]

are you going to carry om with the series on building the victoria?

[@keithappleton]

Yes of course, I am currently monitoring the interest and potential financial support via "Patreon" on the first 6 episodes.

[@jeZZa7810]

thankyou for the reply :) i eagerly await the next video

[@markiomaero8567]

How muc pressure steam engine working. Tank

[@keithappleton]

60 PSI

[@MattF12765]

Always ensure the seller accepts returns? Otherwise avoid like the plague.

[@keithappleton]

I would agree with that ......

[@grahamhall2662]

The flywheel looks as if it it should be in wacky races.

[@keithappleton]

}:-)))

[@dodgydruid]

The blowholed flywheel looks also like its been dropped as the metal is pushed into the crater by the looks of things, it weeble wobbles about like its on a mission of its own, some of it will be crankshaft but some of it is def poor machining I suspect :( Its because of machines like this that I have steered clear from many a Stuart so far and stuck with my toy engines but one day I do want a proper Stuart or maybe a Tiny Power or a PM Research the latter being excellent in they do sell machined kits, one day...

[@dodgydruid]

What I found charming were the very ornate oilers on the main bearings. The poor eccentric you could see daylight thru on some parts of the cycle... not cool

[@keithappleton]

The current owner of the engine fitted the little glass oilers ......

[@bpksuhadi5677]

Mini coal electric generator??? What a nice toys

[@nmccw3245]

Such a shame. Beautiful little engine - when it's not running. :(

[@Steve-uq7np]

Do what you do best sir....fix it...

[@SandyShoresProjects]

The main bearings are not machines out on center either

[@keithappleton]

Yes indeed they are also not right - another nail in the coffin of a rebuild . . .

[@Tocsin-Bang]

Even my uncalibrated eye can see some of the problems!

[@s1914]

Yikes, wise words indeed

[@stephensimpson5283]

Ouch!!

[@keithappleton]

Good innit?

[@willemkossen]

That is sad, really...

[@markthompson4885]

What a shame, it looks Great.

[@hotbulb4537]

This is a nightmare when buy something on auctions, engine looks good but works properly and bad jobs in the workshop, sorry to said that..... But I hope you not paid to much for the steamengine. You should renovate this and make movies about it?

[@keithappleton]

This is not my engine - I do not own it - I rebuild model engines commercially - the engine belongs to a customer .......

[@Phantomthecat]

Micke T did you actually listen to any of the commentary? It is a customers engine, not Keiths.

[@robinturner2300]

Keith Appleton I'd advise the customer to try to get a refund via the auction site or payment system if it's not as described . I always ask very specific questions if I'm not sure before bidding and these then become part of the description. Got to be worth a shot surely?

[@keithappleton]

I said that to him, but he has had it for a while now just as an ornament , it's a bit too late now to complain .......

[@hotbulb4537]

Phamtomthecat: Obviously not, but English is not easy sometimes and I just watch the movie and learn from it. Now the Keith machine was not owned by another buyer. But then I say that to the one who bought it instead. (Sadly you bought a steam engine that's not so good, hope now Keith can help you and we'll see it will work really well.) Then it was said. Okey, I should listen a bit better, but sometimes it is, right?

[@Steve-uq7np]

Sold....just fix it...🤣🤣😂🤣🤣😂

[@theslimeylimey]

Bit of a dogs breakfast that one.

[@j-man6001]

Truly sad :(

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

It amazes me that peope actually buy cars, for tens of thousands of pounds, sight unseen from Ebay. There are some real horror stories. I got burned buying a guitar..... once!

[@samrodian919]

A blind man could have machined that far better!

[@davebradford8393]

Far too many "know it all " critics here. Think of the fun some old duffer might have had machining it and watching it run, however poorly. Let the buyer beware.

[@unluckyeddy7966]

3:25 makes me cringe

[@keithappleton]

Me too - it's horrible ......

[@steamboatmodel]

I was getting motion sickness watching things wiggle around that shouldn't, Sort of like at Walmart.