Jensen Steam Engines

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

I've had some conversation via e-mail with CaseyJoeS, a 15 year old SmokStak-er. I find out that he is a collector of Jensen steam engines and knows just about everyone at the factory on a first name basis. When he read in an earlier article that I had a Jensen, he asked me if I would mind taking a picture of it and sending it to him. I said I would. Then, I got to thinking about a picture my uncle took of me when I was a nerdy little kid in the fourth grade. It had a bunch of my old plastic model cars, you used to be able to buy in the 1950s and the centerpiece was my Jensen Steam Engine. That was the first steam engine I ever saw rotate a flywheel, it is the first whistle I tooted and it was the first water I watched in a gauge glass. In other words, I guess I learned steam, or the concept right there.

Welcome aboard SmokStak, Casey, and I hope your steam life is a great and happy one. And... fill us in on YOUR Jensen collection!
Gary

[JeffK]

Neat collection of toys and such a snappy pair of shoes you have on

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Originally Posted by JeffK

Neat collection of toys and such a snappy pair of shoes you have on

JeffK,
I guess we'll just have to eat our hearts out and do without more of them for ourselves, as I haven't seen anything like them (and those horrid glasses) since 1953.
Gary

[JeffK]

Your teachers would be so proud of you. You are all grown up and still share all your toys.

[CaseyJoeS.]

Gary,

Neat pic of you and your Jensen #35 : ) When I get home I will add a picture of me putting together my first Jensen so this thread!

Well, heres the list of Jensen's engines I have in the order I aquired them:

#76 (kit I got on Christmas) #70 (found it in the science closet at the elementary school my Mom works at, school gave it to me) #85g prototype (saw it at the Jensen factory when I visited them, Then I inquired about purchasing it when I got back home) #25 (picked it up at a local steam show) 1946 #5 riveted boiler (picked it up from ebay) #45 upright (Jensen's only upright model, most were made during Korean war and due to brass restrictions most boilers on these economy models had to be made out of steel, which eventually they rusted out, but mine is brass so its pretty hard to find) a beater #75 (got it from ebay, plan on using it for a steam powered R/C tank)

I also have an Empire D-31 as well as an Wilesco D415 traction engine
(D415 is a kit) Neither one of these are as well built as the Jensen's, but the Empire is close behind the Jensen with the Wilesco lagging along somewhere behind them in the distance.

Oh, and if you guys have never heard of these little Jensen's before.... please check out www.JensenSteamEngines.com !! It is a very nice site with lots of info about the company and their past engines. Jensen even still produces parts for their older out of production models!

I will get that photo up with me putting together my first Jensen as soon as I get home : )

Cheers,
Casey

[Jeff Smith]

The thing I like most about Jensen Steam Engines are that they are made in the USA! I have a few myself just for that reason!

I purchased a style 30 (elec.) at a flee market when I was a boy and my father loaned me $7 or $8 to go with my money for a grand total of $15.00. I still have that one on my desk next to its sister the style 65 (tablet fuel).

Jeff Smith

[CaseyJoeS.]

Below is the modern day nerdy Casey breaking in the #76 kit piston/cylinder by hand on Christmas day in 2004. Really, the Jensen stuff is so well machined in the first place the need to do this is unnecissary but my parents said I couldnt put it together untill that night so I figured I could do something while my Sister opened packages packed full of books lol

Oh, and in the last post I forgot to mention the engine I paid the most for by far, my 95G Steam Turbine Mini PowerPlant I have attached a photo of it as well. It is the most recent engine Jensen has come out with, and the turbine itself is CNC machined by a very talented machinist in Germany. Then is is shipped back to the USA where is it mated to the rest of its Jensen components. This is an really fun engine, sounds like a jet plane! Mine is #2 out of the first 25 Pre-production prototypes, all of which were signed and numbered

Cheers,
Casey

[JeffK]

I have a few Jensens, but I was lucky enough to be at a garage sale about 15 years ago and bought 2 steam engines for $100.00 each, and I bought the steam boat from the original owner for $75.00 who built it when he was a kid in the 1930,s . I am also pretty happy with my large brass rim boiler gauge I bought on ebay from a well known boiler inspector

[laknox]

Originally Posted by JeffK

I have a few Jensens, but I was lucky enough to be at a garage sale about 15 years ago and bought 2 steam engines for $100.00 each, and I bought the steam boat from the original owner for $75.00 who built it when he was a kid in the 1930,s . I am also pretty happy with my large brass rim boiler gauge I bought on ebay from a well known boiler inspector

Oh, that double is =sweet=! Any brands on either of them?

Lyle

p.s. I have a Jensen 75, but don't have a picture of it yet. Here's a couple shots of my Wilesco D32 el, though.

[Gary K]

While attending the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers, Inc., show on August 20, 2006, I took pictures of three old model steam engines; a WISCO, WEEDEN, and a JENSEN. The photo below is of the JENSEN:



The tag stated this:
JENSEN MFG. CO.
JEANNETTE, PA.
115 VOLTS AC or DC
450 WATTS 4 AMPS
STYLE NO. (I couldn't make that out from the photo . . . sorry!)

Gary K

P.S. Oh BTW . . . everyone has posted nice photos . . . beautiful little engines!
Thanks 20 Reeves Highwheeler for starting this thread, as it's enjoyable to see other steam engines too!

[CaseyJoeS.]

Jeff,

Wow you got one heck of a deal on those two Doll engines you got at that garage sale!! Those engines are in good condition and worth mucho $$

Lyle,

That is a really nice D-32!! One day I hope to find one of those! I'm not real big on wilescos, but the high end and rare ones entice me I must admit

Gary,

Thats a nice Brass tag #35 (earlier than aluminum tag) #35! A #35 is on my list of engines I would like to get sometime as well.

Would you guys like to continue posting photos on the fourm of your little steam engines ? I still have many photos if you guys would like to see them!

Cheers,
Casey

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[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

CaseyJoeS,
Post away! Have at her! Go, go, go! I started this one for YOU. Strut your stuff! Show 'em all! Don't be bashful! Let 'er rip! Proceed! Commence! Let's have a Jensen show!
Gary

[Craig A]

I don't have my Wilesco stationary steam engine anymore.... .... but I DO have my Jensen #100 Machine Shop .............and a couple additional pieces made by Wilesco............

http://www.freewebs.com/odilon/jensensteamengines.htm

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Originally Posted by Craig Anderson

I don't have my Wilesco stationary steam engine anymore.... .... but I DO have my Jensen #100 Machine Shop .............and a couple additional pieces made by Wilesco............

http://www.freewebs.com/odilon/jensensteamengines.htm

Craig,
I suppose now, after my last post, you aren't going to send me your Jensen #100 Machine Shop to me for Christmas?? Me and 20/20 hindsight.
Gary

[Craig A]

Originally Posted by 20 Reeves Highwheeler

Craig,
I suppose now, after my last post, you aren't going to send me your Jensen #100 Machine Shop to me for Christmas?? Me and 20/20 hindsight.
Gary

Depends Gary...........how much money do you want to have left for Christmas shopping? .....................

[Mike McKnight]

I've got a few small steam engines like Wilesco's, Mamods, and about half-a-dozen Weedens. The nicest old Weeden I got was an electric-operated one I bought at the Memphis Flea market several years ago, when I was younger and dumber. It looked darn near mint, and looked operable, so I figured "What the heck? Let's put some water in it, plug it up, and see what it does!" So that's what I did! Safety valve had a little leak to it on its gasket, but other than that it ran pretty good. Looking back now, that might not have been the smartest thing I've ever done, especially without a hydro of any sort......has anyone else on here run any of their really OLD, OLD steam toys in recent times, on their coke-can boilers?????? I can't say that I've seen any other Weedens operate, except for mine.
Mike

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Originally Posted by Craig Anderson

Depends Gary...........how much money do you want to have left for Christmas shopping? .....................

I was just "banking" on your generosity and what little remained of our friendship after the "personal profile" remark?
Gary

[Allen]

I run my display board (full of Wilesco machines) at shows with a Jensen #25.(It's put away at the moment...so no pic) I also have a VERY custom (Americanized) Wilesco traction engine (see below) and a Mamod steam roller.



BTW: If anybody wants a brand new Jensen (or Wilesco for that matter) for Christmas I'll be happy to give ya a nice discount if ya mention this post... But you'll have to order soon, or I won't be able to guarantee you'll have it in time.

[Craig A]

Originally Posted by 20 Reeves Highwheeler

I was just "banking" on your generosity and what little remained of our friendship after the "personal profile" remark?
Gary

The ONLY thing you can BANK on is CURRENCY....................

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Originally Posted by Craig Anderson

The ONLY thing you can BANK on is CURRENCY....................

My silver coins don't count?
Gary