Anybody know anything about this steamer?

[Sky]

it's miniture i know, but neet!

would like to know rarity, what should we pay for this, and what do they go for? i've never saw a thing like it before, made in germany, was told it is from the 1950's. almost mint condition but used. everything works, drive gear, whistle, stearing, everything. it says old smoky on the box. box has numbers, D 36, i could find no numbers on the lil' engine it's self. the engine is just dusty, thats it. perhaps someone can tell me something about it? the ones that my dad is thinking bout buying this from is asking 100.00 no less.
is there 100.00 sitting there?

[survivingworldsteam]

What you have there is a WILESCO model D365 steam roller. Wilesco is still very much in business; and you can often find one for sale on e-bay.

So they are quite common. They are considered to be a better made model than the offering by Mamod (of which I have two), so they tend to command a little more, especially the one with the brass-and-black finish. I paid a few dollars short of $100 for my Mamod; $100 would be a good deal on a Wilesco if it is all there in running condition with box.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

[Sky]

HI,

Thanks for the info.

I was also wondering, what kind of fuel tablets do i need for this? i have seen 10 packs of these tablets on ebay but im not sure if there the right ones?

[survivingworldsteam]

Originally Posted by Skylar King

HI,

Thanks for the info.

I was also wondering, what kind of fuel tablets do i need for this? i have seen 10 packs of these tablets on ebay but im not sure if there the right ones?

Yes, they are perfect; the ones that are advertised for Mamod steam engines will also work. Catfish Hollow Toys also sells them. He also carries the entire Wilesco line.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

[Gustp]

I pack the fuel tray with cotton balls then soak it with rubbing alcohol(use eyedropper) burns off the alcohol but leaves the cotton, can just add more fluid as you go.

[Sky]

Originally Posted by Gustp

I pack the fuel tray with cotton balls then soak it with rubbing alcohol(use eyedropper) burns off the alcohol but leaves the cotton, can just add more fluid as you go.

how long does the little engine stay running that way? i would rather do this then if it works good becouse that would save a good few bucks.

[Peter]

Alcohol makes sense to me. They were making little steam toys before they had estabit or other solid tablets. The old one, I have, uses a little flat canister with three wicks that slides under the boiler.

I also have a rider-ericsson toy and it uses a little burner, setup similar to a kerosene lamp with a wick. No tablets. BTW, if you decide you like toys; I recommend this ericsson. It is pricy, but NICE, nice quality and usa made. This is made by PM research and called the 1895 rider-ericsson.

So-- whats the big deal? Just-Try it. Watch the water level, you dont want to melt out the solder.

It occurs to me, if you want to try and save fuel and control the burn, then perhaps you could make a metal cover with a 1/2 inch +/- hole in the center and use the same cotton with some sticking out. Just a thought.

[Gustp]

As long as you keep applying the alcohol it'll burn--it goes quite awhile on the first soaking. As a sidebar if the bottom of the boiler gets discolored from burning whatever in the tray-they make a blueing removing cream for cleaning the chrome on exhaust pipes on motorcycles. It's pricey but it works.

[survivingworldsteam]

We've talked about the fuel, but don't forget you will also need a supply of steam oil to squirt in the steam cylinder to keep it lubricated. You can't use regular petroleum or vegetable oil because they break down and/or are washed off the cylinder walls; steam oil is blended so that it will stay put.

Both Mamod and Wilesco both offer it in a little dropper bottle; I have two that have lasted me for years. You will also need some kind of light oil to lubricate the gears and shafts; I have a bottle of Singer sewing machine oil I buy at Wal-Mart that works good.

I am not sure how you get the steam oil in a Wilesco engine. Mamods have a oscillating single-acting cylinder, so you just put a little oil on the valve plate and the open end of the cylinder, and your set.

Like Peter said, just watch your water level, keep it well oiled, but most of all have fun. One more piece of advice for these self-propelled steam toys is that they need a flat surface to run on. A noticable slope or any surface roughness will make it hard to even start moving. A tennis court swept clean, a garage floor, or even the floor of your home (if you or your spouse doesn't mind a little oil and water on the floor) works good.

Otherwise, you can disengage the drive train (on a Mamod, you just take the belt off), and use a belt to drive a small toy; both Wilesco and Mamod sells them; or I think you can build something with a Meccano or Erector set and drive it as well.

One of the most enjoyable uses for my Mamod is to teach an object lesson at church. Most folks have never seen a working steam engine before; to have one running in church right in front of them coupled with a slide presentation I made really gets the point across. I have a fire extingisher I keep in my travel kit that I let someone man for me; or I have the closest one on standby.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a