Wilesco D20 Model Steam Engine Overview

[@alecwells9170]

Very nice, I have a D20 myself. I bought it in Germany for €70. it was an older model, the steam exhaust was on the side. It's interesting how little it has changed. These things will run forever; after I bought mine, it started for the first time in decades with no problem.

[@F-Man]

Oh certainly! None of my engines have run in about 6 months now; but, I oiled them up and left the boilers open to dry when I ran them last, so I’ve got no worries at all that they’ll all fire up without issue. For a toy, they’re really well constructed!

[@jamieopulence]

Ever so much fun these Wilesco steam engines

[@ATLRCFlyer]

You're doing just fine with your german pronunciation. The gentleman on the catalog is Peter Lustig. A TV-Host of a children's program that every kid grew up with. He passed away a few years ago. I still have my D20 that my grandpa gave me for Christmas when I was maybe 8-10 years old. I am now 44 and this little engine still runs and purrs like a kitten. Oh and "dick" in german is thick in english haha. GmbH is a form of a company much like an LLC in the US.

[@teescottageguyproductions]

That’s a great video. It great to know that the hobby is still not dead!

[@superflynye]

Thank you for this i have just bought one of these from amazon awaiting delivery thank you so much for this very informative video and i now know how to start my engine when i get it. Thanks again - Nye

[@jambutty2218]

I have the D4 which is much smaller. It’s great fun. Thinking of buying the dynamo to power with it. I fire mine up and run it nearly every evening. Very relaxing. I might upgrade one day to a bigger engine. Great video. Your quite right, there’s few videos on KZbin about Wilesco. I’ve found a good owners group on Facebook.

[@nightlightabcd]

As a person that has been steaming for awhile, I suggest filling the boiler with a syringe. Most of the time, I run them on compressed air. Nice instructional video. Most of mine are traction engines.

[@WaterWhiteTuber]

Thank you. I've been wondering about the steam engine hobby. I found this video very helpful and enjoyed watching the full length. My only disappointment, I was hoping for more from the product whistle.

[@MartyMartin87]

Dampfmaschine, das hast du richtig ausgesprochen!

[@F-Man]

MartyMartin87 See? Some of us Americans are educated! ;) Thanks for watching!

[@arend2080]

This video has convinced me to buy one too ;)

[@dabearvergas]

one minor hint, raise governor a bit and add a drop of oil on the shaft. enjoyed your video very much, thanks, d3

[@F-Man]

dabearvergas vergas I certainly will do that! My governor drive belt broke, so no governor for the moment (not that it matters much). New belts on order, though!

[@clancambo5297]

@@F-Man The belts quite often come apart but they can be screwed back together by inserting the tapered end into the other and twist until they don't move. I've been able to repair mine 2 or 3 times with no problems.

[@scottyboy7462]

just picked up a used d20. thanks fir the class

[@nordmende73]

That was fun! Thank you very much!

[@AndersJackson]

The holes in the side of the burner are actually a way of controlling the oxygen to the fire. So by moving the tray out an in, you open the holes. The aluminium are obstructing the air flow as you have it there, I believe. And we used so called meta tablets to fire the machine. The capacity of the steam boiler are 500 ml or 0.5 liter, so 250 ml is half way. As you said, there should be a bit more than half. You can also start the fire early and then oil the machine. Then you have shorter time where you need to wait for the fire. :-)

[@welsh_Witch]

2:02 this is gonna be a good video

[@EA-58]

I love my Wilesco's....greets from Holland.

[@F-Man]

Erwin 1965 They are wonderful little engines! I have a D455 on order right now, and I plan to do a video like this one on it when it arrives!

[@EA-58]

I have that one also....great engines check my channel

[@thatguyyouknow1366]

Ferrariman601 great video man. i really enjoyed it.

[@zauberhaft1]

Great work, enyoyed the hole movie. Greatings from Holland

[@F-Man]

zauberhaft1 Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jonny_exotic2575]

Wow man went straight in with a gas joke 🤣.. brilliant. Tha ks for the vid awaiting delivery of mine now

[@F-Man]

😂😂yeah, that was kinda bad on my part 🤷🏼‍♂️ Hope you enjoy yours! You’ve got a D20 on the way?

[@jonny_exotic2575]

@@F-Man yes. Recently bought a mamod traction engine and now I'm spiralling down a steam rabbit hole...already looking at a stuart v before the D20 has arrived 🤣

[@gradenko23]

Wow, putting aluminum foil on the fuel slider is a good tip. How I wish I knew that earlier. My fuel slider is now very black with residue using Esbit fuel.

[@F-Man]

It’s a compromise, really. If you want to run Esbit or another solid fuel, it might save you from having to scrape all that residue off, but if you run Sterno or another gel fuel, it actually tends to choke the fire a bit because you’re blocking a lot of the airflow. You also sacrifice a bit of control of the fire as you can’t use the holes in the slider to change the airflow. Depends on what you need performance-wise 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@scottyboy7462]

ministeam.com has lots if repair parts. quick shipping

[@andydunn5673]

Very nicely produced little film Thank you I have so many hobbies it’s a wonder I still have a wife Blues harp, Harley, kite boarding ( snow skiing) Dare I buy a steam engine..... I’m a Brit ex Covid and VAT is back up to 20 % My Harmonica are Hohner Crossover and they are a thing of beauty in design and engineering and tone The Germans do take real pride in this stuff.

[@JohnnySteam]

Great video, everything I needed to know. Thank you

[@jimwayne5850]

Good video! I have one D16 and D20 I run both with green sterno :)

[@F-Man]

Jim Wayne Thank you! I’ve got a D455 and D22 as well as this one - I run all of them on the blue or purple Sterno; it works well!

[@SteamLance]

I have a Wilesco D368, also in Britain, we are more familiar with PSI rather than bar

[@randyhines3505]

Great video well done!

[@F-Man]

Thank you!

[@slam854]

Hello Ferrariman, We have to turn you into a Koenigsegg man. I can see you in a Regara RS. I have posted on the D22 which is on the way and am re-boilering my D20 after a dumb mistake. I have tried resoldering the boiler but it is just not working and may be structurally weakened after my overheating from boiling dry for 20 minutes. IF YOU ARE RUNNING THE MACHINE STAY WITH IT !!! All of you need to stay safe in the hobby and not damage yourselves or property. I was fortunate & only killed a boiler. For your steam knowledge may I recommend Keith Appleton youtube channel. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a wonderful dry British humor. This guy knows his steam and engineering ! Best to you and I will be increasing house humidity for the winter months shortly.

[@slam854]

To correct some of your information, Wilesco tests their boilers to 3+ bar so they will not explode at just above 1.5 bar. It is good to use caution but you are giving a dire image of this steam plant. They are robust and are protected by the safety release valve as well as German manufacturing practices. I believe GmbH has much to due with that. The safety valve MUST be checked for free operation before each use. Do not forget this.

[@slam854]

Been awhile since I first saw this video. An important point on lubrication is steam oil (right before the cylinder) is very special stuff. Shell oil developed Valvata oil for steam applications. It is an oil that combines with water yet provides lubrication under temp and pressure. It should not be used elsewhere on the engine. It does not lubricate well unless it has temp and pressure present. Any light oil (not 3 in 1) will work for all the other oiling applications. I use light weight differential oil for its clinging properties on any metal surface. I think a light oil may work just as well but this is what I have used and the engine shows no sign of wear after several hundred hours. Choose your favorite. Swamp cooler oil is a great choice.

[@slam854]

A Bix ceramic burner with a propane bottle is the way to fuel the burner. It is clean and very controllable. Coleman makes a small propane bottle that is compatible with the gas valves the Bix connects with. Be aware that although you don't smell it, the burner is producing CO2 gas. Use only in well ventilated areas or outdoors.

[@slam854]

Yes, the d20 is a wonderful steam engine. FYI controlling the exhaust steam is a longevity issue. I have placed a silicone (rc fuel line) hose on the return exhaust line where the water drip tray is installed. This line feeds into a 1-1 1/2c container with lid about 3/4 of the way up the container. The lid of the container has a tight hole for an exit line up the chimney to the steam to be released through. This hose needs to be secured just above the chimney top to prevent steam condensation from wetting the interior of the stack and boiler box. This will keep your D20 healthy for many years.

[@slam854]

Engine noise is related to eccentric valve timing. These are production steam engines that do not allow valve timing. I will work on this to see what adjustments can be attained, but for now I have to say none. They are pretty good out of the box but not perfect by any means.

[@milsimdood5417]

Does it come assembled if not how hard is the assembly if you need glue etc does the kit provide the steam oil?

[@F-Man]

The engine comes fully assembled and ready to run. There is steam oil provided, but it’s only a small amount, sufficient to run for maybe 1 hour. The oil I use is the Shell Valvata 460 grade steam cylinder oil, but you could also use a plant-based oil such as rapeseed or canola oil in a pinch.

[@williamterranova1429]

You can also get many of their models as a kit, which is also fun.

[@deelkar]

When built the boiler is tested at 4.5 bar (at least, IIRC) and must not fail at that pressure.

[@CrestwoodRocks]

I bet you are looking forward to collecting more Jensens and more Wilescos

[@upcontryjunk]

You could always look into Jensen's steam engines they're built in the USA out of Pennsylvania

[@F-Man]

Yeah, I’ve had a few Jensens - similar quality to Wilesco, if not somewhat simpler on their entry level models anyway.

[@JoshKilen]

nice video, i am thinking about getting the Wilesco D21 and maybe a gas burner for it too, where did you but yours? and nice idea on the Sterno fuel, The Esbit fuel just makes a mess of the bottom and the sides of the boiler.

[@F-Man]

I got this engine from ministeam.com The Sterno is much better than Esbit in most ways. The Esbit gives a bit more of a consistent burn, but the Sterno is practically odorless, it doesn't smoke, it leaves very little residue, and it's cheap and readily available.

[@JoshKilen]

Ferrariman601 that is what i thought, where you got it from

[@wilescodampfer8082]

You dont have to open the valves fully because there is no differences between half and fully open. And you can damage your seals or gaskets in the valves.

[@twistedyogert]

I wonder if I could put one in a RC model boat. Make a paddle steamer.

[@F-Man]

I think people have! You’d need a servo for the throttle and then another for the rudder - if you wanted a reversing function, that would require some creativity.

[@ATLRCFlyer]

Wilesco makes a steam engine for RC boats

[@SeptexGaming]

Awesome video! Have you bought any more wilesco products?

[@F-Man]

+Septex This is my first Wilesco! I've previously had Jensens, a model 60 and model 25, but both of them did not wear well, so I decided to try Wilesco. Not disappointed so far! I'm considering a D455 next.

[@SeptexGaming]

Ferrariman601 Exciting. Hopefully I'm going to be buying the D415 kit to build a traction engine, do you have interests in these types of engines?

[@F-Man]

The traction engines are intriguing, but I don't really see myself running them around outside. I'm more interested in stationary engines, and I'm considering a D455 for my next.

[@SeptexGaming]

Ferrariman601 Please do a full showcase video on that like this one, really enjoyed watching it all :P though your first camera had a few dead pixels the quality was nicer than the iPhone :)

[@F-Man]

Yeah, my DSLR is of course much better than an iPhone lol, but I needed a free hand once I started to run the engine, and autofocus doesn't work on the SLR once you start taking video!

[@richardrichardson2568]

I believe it runs noisier in reverse because of the timing

[@bensnipes7288]

Man...I am so torn between this and a jensen. I love the looks of the wilescos and also the steam exhaust into the stack but I've read the jensen's are build better and run stronger. I'm just not a fan of the look of the jensens.....decisions......

[@SteamLance]

In Britain we use Psi

[@dombrady6862]

did u build this or did it come like that

[@Guitarman092004]

2:27 GmbH means: Limited Liability Company. Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung.

[@F-Man]

And a mystery is solved! Thanks! 😁

[@madsf5006]

Where are you from? You sound danish :) Great video

[@F-Man]

MadsF Hah! That’s the first time I’ve gotten that! I’m actually from New Jersey.

[@madsf5006]

@@F-Man Oh haha, you sound sooo Danish with that accent, nice vid though!

[@bzert281]

Wilhelm Schroeder's name is where "Wilesco" comes from, literally "Wil S. Co." - Germans do that stuff all the time. Hey, so do we.

[@restrepojorgea]

Why didnt you get the D22. Its a twin, self starts, much nicer.....

[@F-Man]

J. A. R. I have a D22 as well - check for my video of that one!

[@SimonNemeth]

The D20 can self start perfectly fine every time after the initial start up (once the old condensed water is cleared). He just didn't demonstrate that very well, or at all? When you reversed it you should have given it a flick in the other direction before you released the regulator and it would have gone on its own.

[@nightkids4442]

Yeah that is funny. „Dick“ is the German word for „thick“.

[@nichsofpv5961]

You've pronounced german pretty good😂

[@F-Man]

turbo_keule Hahahaha thanks! I’ve never studied German, but I have studied linguistics - apparently it’s worth something :P

[@nichsofpv5961]

Ferrariman601 yes i like it if English speaking guys try to speak German thats so funny;)

[@nichsofpv5961]

Ferrariman601 and dick means thick

[@debbiebrown2096]

I have a d20 i play whith it every day i probably spent £1999393994938747466677757575 on it

[@TheInvisibleOrange26]

I feel like they a bit expensive

[@ATLRCFlyer]

Veronica Rayos Mine started up without a hitch after sitting for almost 30 years, so there is that. You're getting a very well built, high quality steam engine for the money and all parts are still readily available to this day.

[@dinokatsaurus607]

Whats the point