Brand new 1914 40hp Avery on the way

[40avery]

Well here goes another steam engine assembly thread. Mark p. has rounded up enough parts for another 40HP Avery. I am going to leave this first post open since I want to try and keep things chronological and I still have to round up a couple of good pictures of the flu removal process.

[40avery]

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/noflues.jpg

This is the rear tube sheet after the tubes have been removed.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/boilerblowout3.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/boilerblowout2.jpg

The boiler for the new 40 is in excellent shape. It had been converted to oil fire and kept in a shed for many years. There was quite a collection of boiler scale in the water bottom. We took the opportunity once the tubes were cut out to completely blow out the barrel and water bottom to get a fresh start when we steam it up for the first time.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/partspile1r.jpg

This is a picture of the parts pile that we will be working with. Notice the bulldog is keeping guard at the top of the pile.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/engine1.jpg

This is the motor, frame, front axle, and wheels. There will be more images of all this as the assembly progresses.

[M Kerkvliet]

In my 5 or 6 years of steaming, I have run a few very unique engines, and been around a lot more that have been "ground-up" restorations, including Jim Briden's 40-120 Avery (Same engine as Rick is posting about here). I have heard the stories of "hunting trips", big parts piles, years of work to get to the final piece, etc.

That all being said, there is nothing like being a small part of a project like this, quite literally from the ground, up! I am happy to have the opportunity to help out on this one, when I have the time. There has been a lot of work done already, as Rick will let us all in on, and a lot more to go. This is going to be a fun ride!

[40avery]

One problem encountered was a bad throttle valve in the good boiler. It had been used as a stationary boiler and the dry pipe had been plugged at the front flue sheet in the smoke box. The steam condensed out in the steam dome and ran into the valve and dry pipe. The cast throttle body did not like this very well when the water turned to ice. The valve out of the bad boiler was in good shape and was tuned up and installed.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/rebuiltthrottlevalve.jpg

This is a picture of the throttle valve ready to be installed.

Since not many people ever get to see a throttle valve since it is internal to the steam dome.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/throttleopen.jpg

This image shows the throttle valve in the "open" position

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/throttleclosed.jpg

This is the throttle in the "closed" position.

The next posts will deal with installing new stay bolts.

[Mike McKnight]

Is that the Avery sold from Mt. Pleasant last year?

I can well appreciate the time and effort that goes into a ground-up restoration, having a couple of them going on myself right now.
Mike

[40avery]

Mike,

It is the one from Mt. pleasant.

Rick

[40avery]

The boiler that is going on the new 40 had twenty one stay bolts that had been welded in. All twenty one were removed and new threaded bolts installed in their place.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/garydrillingstaybolts.jpg

First the welded bolts had to be carefully drilled out.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/Kellytapping.jpg

After the bolts were drilled out the holes had to be tapped. it took about six guys a pretty full day to get them all tapped. By hand.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/partedstaybolt.jpg

The stay bolts are threaded and partially cut according to the length needed for each stay bolt hole. They are then threaded into the hole leaving a predetermined length on each boiler sheet for peening into place.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/staybolt.jpg

Bolts are threaded in with a vise grip.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/staybolt2.jpg

Threaded in to the correct position the precut end with no threads is cut off leaving the bolt ready to be peened over.

[40avery]

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/pedersenhandpeening.jpg

Peening is done with a lot and I mean a lot of strikes with a ball peen hammer. Starting with holding a ball peen to the center of the stay bolt and striking it with another hammer until the bolt swells into the threaded hole made for the bolt. Then striking all along the outer edge of the bolt until it is peened over the edge of the hole.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii219/353ric/mikehillbuckingoutside.jpg

You cannot just beat on the bolt. The bolt must be "bucked" on the opposite side by holding a really heavy hammer or in this case a big iron shaft so that the bolt expands securely into the hole instead of just driving it out of the hole.

No matter how cool the work environment may be it is never hard to work up a sweat working on restoring a steam boiler.:)

[Mike McKnight]

Man, I wished I lived a lot closer, and could help out and learn first hand some of those boiler repair techniques! Ya'll are doing some good work on your projects.

Please keep up the pictures and the updates. :)

Mike

[40avery]

Mike,

I cannot tell you how humbled I have been to learn from some of the best in the antique steam world. I will stay in this game as long as I am physically able. It is our intention to post the whole process. The posts that are going to be the most fun will be the first steam up but there is a long way to go yet.

Thanks for the encouragement.

You mentioned you had a couple of ground up restorations in progress. What are they?

Rick

[mrnewway]

Rick:

Not being a steam person I have a question ?

Is the stay bolt threaded on each end ?

Is the diameter between inside thread to inside thread turned down to go thru the threaded hole on one end of the boiler ? Or how is this done ?

Very interesting thread as is Jeff Knutson's, Keep up the good work!!!

Jim out west:):):)

Trying to preserve what we have.

[40avery]

Jim,

The tap used is about a foot long. It gently cuts matching threads on both sheets as you turn it through. The Stay bolt is continually threaded except for the excess that is used to turn it in. It then is threaded through both sheets. You leave the same margin sticking out on the inside for peening over as you have once you cut the excess from the outside. The threads fit well but peening swells the bolt completely into the threaded holes and then the edges are peened over to provide even more holding power. I attach a drawing of a stay bolt.

Rick

[mrnewway]

Rick:
Thanks for the answear to my question.

Thats how we learn by asking questions.

Jim:):)

[GaarScott]

Rick,

Great job and I'm going to enjoy this thread as much as I have others on here.

One quick question. In your sketch you provided it only shows threads on either end of the staybolt and what appears to be a slight taper from one side of the staybolt to center and then tapers back out again. Am I imagining this? I'm used to seeing full threaded staybolts and I assumed that is what you were describing till I saw the sketch. Can you better clarify for me. Thanks.

Lawrence

[GaarScott]

Rick,

Can you tell us a little more history about this boiler...like where did it come from and its past history if known? I know you said it was used, I believe, as a heating boiler and was converted to oil. But what was its story prior to that? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it a Brodreck boiler? What were the UT's like? She sure looks nice and straight in the firebox from the pictures you've posted thus far. Thanks again for sharing its restoration story with us. I'd sure like to get up there one weekend when you all are working on the ol' girl. If nothing else, for the B.S. sessions that always take place following a good long day of hard work!:bump:

Lawrence

[Pete Mandt]

Lawrence,

The staybolts are threaded the full length and there is no taper in the middle.

Pete

[GaarScott]

Pete,

Thanks, I thought so, but just wanted to make sure. Rick's sketch above, at least what I see, shows as I described. I figured that to be a lot of extra work to taper them down and only have threads out on the end. But before I put my foot in my mouth, I thought I would ask first. Thanks again.

Lawrence

[Pete Mandt]

The boiler is a Broderick, not an Ohio.

Pete

[GaarScott]

Pete,

Thanks, I was under the understanding it was a Broderick boiler. Do you know what the UT's are like on it?

Lawrence

[M Kerkvliet]

Pete,

Thanks, I was under the understanding it was a Broderick boiler. Do you know what the UT's are like on it?

Lawrence

Lawrence... Mark claims the boiler is better than Jim's. The numbers were written all over the boiler, but I cannot remember them all right now. The boiler is in excellent shape, and passed the hydro with flying colors (2 weeks ago.) All Rietz would give Mark was 200#... which was operating pressure of the Avery. That was the limiting factor.


Edit... I found a picture with some of the #'s written on the boiler.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/UTNumbers.jpg

[GaarScott]

Mark,

I'd heard the same thing....sure would be cool to know what some of the numbers were though. But as you indicated....good is good!

Lawrence

[M Kerkvliet]

Mark,

I'd heard the same thing....sure would be cool to know what some of the numbers were though. But as you indicated....good is good!

Lawrence

I edited my post #20 and added a picture. You will have to ask Mark at the steam up for more details, or maybe there are still some wrote on the boiler!

[GaarScott]

Mark,

Thanks for the update and the photos. The numbers that are shown on in your photo look to be real good ones. I am more interested in what the numbers are in the firebox, as those are the numbers that really drive the pressure rating. From some of the photos shown so far, it looks like a real nice boiler. I'm glad it worked out for Mark to be able to find a complete or almost complete Avery that he is able to put this boiler on. They should make a real nice match.

Thanks again.

Lawrence

[steve kunz]

Looks like you guys are doing a fanastic job! Its sure good to see the Avery going back together. I was probably one of the last persons to run the Avery at Mt Pleasant, with Leon Farrie.
I have a 18HP Avery that my father Louis Kunz restored in the mid 60s. It was completely apart for about 40 years. There were 3 brothers that farmed with 3 identical Averys, they bought mine took it apart and hauled it home piece by piece, then left it apart to use parts on their engines as needed. When my father bought it the cab, water tanks, coal bunker and smoke stack were missing, and numerous other parts were the woren out parts from the other 3 engines. The boiler was in good shape though from lack of use, it still has the original flues.
Here is a picture of my father sandblasting it after he got it home.
The other picture is a couple years ago after I repainted it and had it steamed up for the first time in about 25 years.
Keep up the good work, Steve Kunz

[40avery]

Thanks Steve.

Beautiful restore job on the 18. Maybe you will get a chance to join us when the 40 is finished and ride her again.:bannana:

Rick

[steve kunz]

Rick,
I hope I get the chance to join all of you when the 40 is finished. It sure would be good to pull the throttle again after all these years. Tell Mark if he is tired of working on it ill trade him my 18 for it, HA HA.
I am planning on steaming up the 18 this spring, if any of you guys are going to be near St. Louis let me know maybe I can plan for that weekend for the steam up.
Steve

[Teeth Talk]

Steve,
Where did you find those extension rims for your Avery? I don't think I have ever seen them for the 18-20 hp size. Are they factory made?

Thanks

PS. I have a 20 hp they would look great on if they were for sale! :biglaugh:

[steve kunz]

Teeth TAlk,
My father found the extension rims back in the 60s. They are factory made. I dont think they were ever installed on an engine before the cleats look perfect, the cleats on the regular wheels show some wear. My father never had them on the engine because it would not fit in the barn with them on. I just put them on for the first time a couple years ago.
Steve

[M Kerkvliet]

Looks like you guys are doing a fanastic job! Its sure good to see the Avery going back together. I was probably one of the last persons to run the Avery at Mt Pleasant, with Leon Farrie.


Welcome aboard Steve, and thanks for the nice comments!

Do you have any pictures of Mark's (MT. Pleasant) Avery when it was together and running at the Mt. Pleasant show? Sure would be a great contribution to this thread if you did!

If you happen to get to Rollag before Mark's is done, we can sure get you up on Jim Briden's for a parade or something!

BTW... Very nice 18!

Oh... you might want to pencil in Labor Day Weekend 2011! There might be something very special featured at WMSTR that year. Nothing definite yet, but it would be a good date to keep in mind!

[20Avery]

Mark,
I hope I understand what is printed between the lines. We have a lot of work to do before then... :D :praying:

Cody, you better take note.. We gotta start buying lottery tickets!!! :biglaugh:

Jace

[steve kunz]

Mark
Here is a picture of the 40 Avery at Mt Pleasant in 1985. It is next to an 18HP. I am standing in front of the left front wheel with the hat. This is a section of a group photo taken by an old time camera that paned as it took the picture, the entire photo is about 4' long. Im sure I have more pictures but Ill have to do some digging.
Steve

[M Kerkvliet]

Cool picture Steve! Thanks!!

Looking forward to more of them as you find them!

[20Avery]

Steve,

When was that 40 Avery torn down to start restoration? The last time the National Red Power was held at Mt. Pleasent there it must have been torn down. I believe that was in 2001 or maybe 2002. My father and some cousins and I were there and don't remember seeing it. We were fortunate to get into the steam engine shed and poke around a bit. Its the only time any of us had been there, seeing as the show is the same weekend as Rollag...:) Just trying to put a time frame together for fun. Fun to see a big Avery like this without extenion rims... not many that don't now... Thanks for the pics.

Jace

[steve kunz]

Jace,

I cant remember for sure myself when it was toren down, its got to be around 20 years ago. The original guy that tore it down had it at his place, I think in Illinois, and it went through the flood in 1993. The last few years it was at another guys place in Iowa, but niether one of them were able to find time do much with it.

Steve

[steve kunz]

Here is a picture of the Avery out of the Mt Pleasant News. Thats me in the cab. Ill keep looking for more pics.
Steve

[steve kunz]

For some reason the pic did not load, Ill try again.
Steve

[PoPValve]

sure looks like a great boiler, an able to hold up 200 pounds, I like to see more photos of the work you did, what are the rules for workin on your own boiler, do u need a R stamp? i see you did the stays, are u an R stamp? or can ya do this yourself,,,,great tread thanks

[steve kunz]

Hi, just wondering how work on the Avery is coming ? I know that I have gotten slowed down with grass cutting and all the other work that comes with summer.
I had my 18 HP Avery steamed up this weekend, here is a picture. Also before and after pictures of the Avery water wagon that I just finished restoring.
Steve

[M Kerkvliet]

Love the water wagon Steve! Your 18 sure is a beautiful engine. How long will you be able to keep it clean like that? Steam cylinder oil and grease has really gotten to Jim Briden's 40! It needs a bath!

Work on the Pedersen 40 has taken a hiatus as farming kicked in again and Mark is really busy. I am sure he will pick away at it all summer. Rick may know more about plans.

BTW... it is now official. WMSTR will be hosting an Avery feature in 2011, so if you start planning right now, maybe you can make it! Your engine and wagon would be a great addition to the line up!

I will post some pictures of Jim's engine from this past weekend soon in another thread somewhere.

[40avery]

Steve,

I think you will be seeing a few more posts on the new 40 yet this summer. There is a lot that has to happen on other projects as well so I do not know for sure when we will continue.

I was really disappointed that my return from St. Louis got set up a day. It was great to get back to my wife and grandson but I was really looking forward to seeing your 18.

It is still not out of the question that I may get another chance in the future.

Rick

[Mike McKnight]

Hi, just wondering how work on the Avery is coming ? I know that I have gotten slowed down with grass cutting and all the other work that comes with summer.
I had my 18 HP Avery steamed up this weekend, here is a picture. Also before and after pictures of the Avery water wagon that I just finished restoring.
Steve

Steve,
The water wagon looks great! At what shows do you show your Avery? Any place outside of St. Louis isn't too far for me for a day trip.

Thanks,
Mike M

[steve kunz]

Mike,
My Avery has never been to a show in its life. It sure would be fun to take it to WMSTR in 2011 for the avery feature. I guess there is just to many toys and not enough time. I also own a 1882 Harrison that I keep at the Mt Pleasant show. Here is a picture of me in the parade last year.
Steve

[Todd Hintz]

I'll second Mike's motion on keeping the photos coming. My dream is to have one of these myself some day, and it sure is fun looking at the pictures. I, too, wish I was closer to learn this stuff and provide some elbow grease to the project. Thanks, Rick!
Todd

[Pete Mandt]

Steam engine repair season is starting again. The rear wheels for Mark's 40 Avery need a bunch of loose lugs removed, straightened and riveted back on. I volunteered to head up this part of the project and am now looking for people that are willing to help. If you are interested in learning how to rivet, please let me know. Send me a PM and we can workout which weekend to start on them.

Thanks,
Pete

[M Kerkvliet]

Steam engine repair season is starting again. The rear wheels for Mark's 40 Avery need a bunch of loose lugs removed, straightened and riveted back on. I volunteered to head up this part of the project and am now looking for people that are willing to help. If you are interested in learning how to rivet, please let me know. Send me a PM and we can workout which weekend to start on them.

Thanks,
Pete

In Fargo Pete?

[Pete Mandt]

Yes Mark, the work would be done in Fargo.