This is Keith Rucker at his best!!!! These videos are soo much better than him sitting around his shop bragging about all the free stuff people send him.

Congratulations on the the grandbaby Keith.

Too bad you all were not placing this someplace close to one of the museums other boilers. Would be nice to be able to have it plumbed off a nearby boiler and just leaves that boiler as a fake. I am sure people would love it and it would be quite popular as an interactive exhibit where people could actually grab the throttle and run a steam engine. People pay good money for that!

@thirzapeevey2395

3 жыл бұрын

That is a fabulous idea!

Not every antique need to be in operating condition to make it an interesting display. We live in Mason City, IA and we have a static display of a 1912 steam locomotive that attracts a lot of visitors to view his bit of history. It does not operate and never will, but interested people got together to save it from the scrap yard and that makes is interesting. I was happy to contribute to the restoration of this steam engine and boiler even though I may never see it in person. I love old machinery and I am so pleased that you folks are saving this from the scrap yard.

I've done my share of demo on boilers, and a number of years ago I helped to take a spider tube boiler out of a paper mill. It was about the oldest boiler I worked on, being over 60 years old. It ran on #6 fuel which was basically asphalt. It flowed at 220° f (104°c) and the tank railcar it came in had a steam jacket on them. The boiler was fired on #2 oil to start, then switched to #6. There's a saying on fuel and coal boilers. Soot happens.

@greggoff4990

3 жыл бұрын

About snorted my drink thru my nose. asphalt

@ronalddaub7965

3 жыл бұрын

I love old boilers I used to work on a Riley Harrington stoker traveling grate Unfortunately the steam drum had problems and the mud drum always had problems and then some guy went in there and got water in a pump and got scalded to death by steam

Thanks...My friend Keith...

Those old boilers! I had a job many years ago as a Sales Engineer for an Atlanta Mill and Industrial supply company. Customer called and said they had a bad gauge on their boiler. So I got there and we walked down to where it was. Yeah, gauge had been over pressured. Boiler was running and ticking and creaking. Looked down the side and it was barrel shaped (bad sign). Looked up at the top and the pressure safety valve was covered in a ball of rust! I yelled: "SHUT THIS THING DOWN RIGHT NOW! I'm leaving! Get everybody outside while it cools down and DO NOT start it up until you have a boiler company look at it!" My boss got a nice phone call later on. He told them: "This is why Phil is the "go-to" guy for things like this!"

@millomweb

2 жыл бұрын

I've inherited a 41 year old non-industrial compressor - so it's getting a hydraulic test possibly plus internal tank inspection before I use it yet it's bizarre to remember it arriving as a new thing. Made me think of a friend - so talked to him - and his compressor's 30 year old and he says it doesn't switch off when getting up to pressure. He didn't even seem to be aware it had a safety valve on it or that they can be easily tested to ensure they're free to work if need be ! It surely makes one wonder how many 'enthusiasts' have old 'trusty' compressors that are decades old and have not been inspected or tested. I quite impressed myself when I easily found the pressure test certificate for this compressor !

Oef mister Rucker, watch out for your head and the load above you. We need your video's and can not miss you sir.

Sitting here with stylus poised waiting for my Friday morning fix. Thank you very much Keith

Watching you wrestle with the exhaust pipe I am reminded of the musichall song "Right said Fred"

@jonathanrichards593

3 жыл бұрын

1962, recorded by Bernard Cribbins for Parlophone. A bit late for "music hall", but it's got its own Wikipedia page. Good job half a ton of steam pipe didn't land on Keith's dome!

This is awesome Keith oh, I miss seeing you working on museum project. And congratulations on the grandbaby

Surprised that the engine came of without too many complications. Thanks for sharing.

What a gorgeous old machine. This is what ingenuity is capable of. Such an interesting hobby. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Rucker.

THANK YOU...for sharing.

I'm so glad to hear you'll be able to keep it in good shape.

This is amusing; a bunch of guys staring at monitors, watching another guy loosen a bunch of bolts. Man, I must be losing it.

@Windgonner

3 жыл бұрын

I believe its called cabin fever (or quarantine fever if you prefer).

@alexinness

3 жыл бұрын

It crushes anything thing on the TV.

@bullybreedsaretops

3 жыл бұрын

You must be new around here.

very good video..thanks for your time

Thanks Keith

Pretty cool old boiler. Used to re-tube boilers in the summers and the shop that I worked at had a very similar looking boiler for heating purposes. They re-tubed it before I started there. They said they actually had to knock the wall out just to get the tubes out lol. But it was all in pristine condition and fully operational 😊. Pretty dirty job fixing old boilers as a well maintained boiler can last for a very long time, but I take pride in being able to say that I've done it 😁. Thanks for the little trip down memory lane, Keith 👍😊👍.

I like the ideas about turning it with an electric motor. I, for one, would love to see something like this at leased turning like it used to.

Very interesting job there , Keith. Another great video to keep us entertained. Greetings from England!

Paint it. Preserve it in a way that it can be restored to operation. One day it will be valuable enough to restore to operation. You are are allowing that option for the future.

@rockstarltu

3 жыл бұрын

steam explosions are not pretty.

@mikus4242

3 жыл бұрын

I should have been more clear... the steam engine. Preserving for future generations that will greatly appreciate what you are doing today.

@alstonofalltrades3142

3 жыл бұрын

@Iain Botham Back in the day there were at least tens of thosands of boilers in each industrialized country. Boiler inspecters were plentiful and well trained and honed in their craft. They would know if a boiler could be steamed and to what pressure and how much life she had left. How many boiler inspectors are there now. and insurance companies probably don't know if they have lost expertise hence don't want to gamble.

This may have been discussed in previous comments or other threads associated with this steam engine project, so forgive me if this is a duplicate. I recognize that trying to re-certify the boiler is a no-go due to the insurance aspects, but it occurred to me that there could possibly be another option. Since this engine is primarily going to be a display piece and not be expected to do real work, what about the possibility of putting a smaller modern boiler inside the shell of the existing boiler. Something big enough to power the ending and power some modest machinery, but small enough to fit inside the existing boiler. From the outside, it would look vintage, but inside it would be modern steam power. Hope to make a stop at the museum on one of my many sojourns to Florida, and if you happen to spot me sleeping in my truck in the vicinity of your shop, just wake me up and put me to work! LOL Anyway, thanks for the restoration efforts, and for all of the content on your channel.

@naturalorang3

3 жыл бұрын

He mentioned that they don’t have a need for another boiler, so it doesn’t really make sense to spend money on something they don’t need. Also doing that would require making modifications to the inside that would prevent a future restoration.

An air compressor may not be practical to turn it over, but an electric motor and reduction gear out of site turning it over at about 5 to 10 rph would be.

I need to make a trip down there sometime and check out the museum.

Frick is going strong in Industrial Refrigeration Compressors the few I've worked on were robust and well made. Enjoyed 👍👍👍

Good on ya

Insurance caused the steam engine at Florida's Barberville Pioneer Settlement (where my Blacksmith group meets) to be shut down (like at Keith's Museum), not too many years after it was gotten back into operating condition. It also has a riveted boiler. So much for the line-shaft powered equipment in the Blacksmith Shop running on steam. :(

Would like to see a 'tour' inside the firebox and boiler. I see a lot of photos from abandoned mines and mills with a boiler sitting there without a firebox. At least this ones complete.

Big tank of Evaporust for that one Keith

put the display near a operational boiler and connect, bypass the condemned boiler , maybe drive a generator or some other type of farm equipment

I would like to see this machine running up again

Send the boiler to Ohio and have it repaired ! It burns my backside to not see it being made operational again . Think I first saw pictures of this engine 40 years ago in "The Iron Men Album" . If I'm not mistaken this engine was pictured on the front cover of The Iron Men Album .

Nice work removing the engine. If you have extra funds. You may want to consider hooking up a electric pony motor to turn it. A dynamic display of the steam engine moving will be more interesting than a static display. You could even color code parts of it for interpretive discussions.

Love it! Boys toys!

Nice!! Great news, exciting.... :-)

It's Going to be very nice when you are done with it 👌👏

The WW&F in Maine are building two new riveted code boilers!

I'd suggest to use exhaust paint for the boiler to make it more resistive against any heat..

I'm not coming to the cane grinding event unless you can guarantee in advance that some's guy's mom is going to drive a golf cart around in circles to pull the boom. Just sayin'.

Interesting video Keith. Should be good to see what the inside workings are like. I think two men could have man handled that steam exhaust pipe off quicker than using the jerky fork lift. Tony

Nice to see you get to clean it up and store it! So any news with Mr. Wiggins ? Have not seen anything from him

It would be good idea, methinks, to replace those way-too-modern wheels with something looking more like coming from the time the boiler was build... Maybe Dave Engels from Engels Coach Shop would/ could make some...?

Please show us the completed project under its shelter, when it is done. TM, retired museum curator

Thanks for the video! The weight in those two drive “pulleys” must be amazing. How will those be restored?

Keith if you haven't already, please seek out Jonathan W on youtube and the steam engine recovery he has documented. His mission could certainly benefit from you and the youtube metalworking community.

@OwenFromOhio

3 жыл бұрын

Lee, I was thinking the same thing... I really enjoy both this and Jonathan W site... you are a good man!

@jenniferwhitewolf3784

3 жыл бұрын

Perfect..

Hiya Keith

your welcome

And here at 11:55 we see Keith taking his pipe for its daily walk ;P

16:20 looks like a massive rat rod - Waylon wire will be impressed! :)

Are you planning to finish work on the stoker engine? Those videos were fascinating.

I'm glad there was enough interest to get this project funded properly. Sure, it would be nice to see this run, but totally unnecessary. Did you see all that rust dump out of the exhaust pipe? To get this running safely, you would probably need to replace a lot of the original parts. I think for a museum we would rather have the machine in it's original condition, as much as possible. Just get it cleaned up and oiled real good so it doesn't deteriorate over time. I believe the museum has other functional steam engines for educational and demonstrational purposes. So they have best of both worlds.

@craigwalsh8116

3 жыл бұрын

Just curious about how much it would cost to get this engine and boiler running again safely. Surely there would be support out there for this.

@SciPunk215

3 жыл бұрын

I think this was meant to be a standalone post, not a response to me. I am in NO WAY an expert, but I'll add my two cents. Others should add their comments too. Apparently the issue is that the boiler is made from multiple plates riveted together. That is inherently less safe than a single monolithic sheet. Even if they drilled out every rivet and replaced them with brand new rivets, it's still riveted. So to meet current safety standards, they would have to completely change it. So what's the point of an original museum piece that's been completely changed? As it is, it would probably run and would probably not blow up, but the risk would always there.

@craigwalsh8116

3 жыл бұрын

@@SciPunk215 Yeah, sorry, it was meant as a standalone post. I get now why it is just not possible to get this old engine running on steam again with that boiler. Shame but understandable. Thanks...

If you guys don't want to restore the engine and boiler correctly sell it to Ken Edders in North Carolina I'm pretty sure he'd make it operational again .

Tackle for overhead lifting should be 10x safety factor

Guys a little ruff on that forklift

I get not using it for insurance purposes BUT why not donate it to another organization I.E Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. they along with others may use this engine as intended and folds can see it in operation.

Maybe a compressed air conversion might be a idea for this ex boiler

I few days ago I was watching a video on Facebook about the restoration by Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. of former C&O 2716. Having in mind your comments about the impracticability of returning a riveted boiler to service given Georgia's effective prohibition on riveted boilers, I made the following post: "Marvelous video. I knew vaguely what a flexible staybolt was and did but now I have a good knowledge. I know operators of boilers for stationary museum engines have in some states been confronted with state boiler inspection requirements that effectively prohibit riveted boilers. Is the FRA still allowing riveted boilers?" My post was answered by Brendan Zeigler, whose facebook profile lists him as Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer of the Strasburg Railroad: "FRA permits the operation, repair and construction of riveted boilers provided they meet all regulations. ASME has recently reintroduced riveted construction requirements for boilers into its construction code with an eye specifically toward the historic preservation community. Might this action by ASME be helpful to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in returning this engine to operation? The engine appears, superficially, to be in good condition. It seems such a shame to relegate it to a static display, especially with the engine on top of the boiler and out of the visitor's direct line of sight. This duplicates a message I sent to you via the comments section of the VintageMachinery.org web site. Very truly yours, John Whitlock

I would love to come and see the museum but from Europe to Georgia is kinda to far🙄

this may sound stupid, but could you run it with a closed loop water system, with a simple pump? asking more out of curiosity, than anything else, but pumpinbg rods and pistons, with wheels turning is a lot more fun to watch than just a static machine...

@samuraidriver4x4

3 жыл бұрын

Belting it up to an electric motor would be another and probably better option.

Live stream those days please???!!!

I thought for a second there that you were going to brake of an ear off the mounting flange of that cast exhaust flange . sence you are going to pretty it up for static display. Can you add Brass pipes for the plumbing instead of iron?

As the boiler is condemned, would it be worth sectioning parts to show tubes, struts and plates?

Anyone else start twisting their phone around to try to help you pull the pipe out?😎😎😎

nice job Keith! Would it be possible to put the engine back on the original boiler but run it off another modern boiler that's out of sight? Seems a shame not to run it!

Being a 1935 I'd assume this is probably one of the last few Frick boilers built.

8 thou, wow you ca n buy a lotta steel wool and spray cans with that :)

When are you going to continue on the stoker engine?

Insurance Company doesn't like riveted boilers.... I wonder how they feel about all the riveted bridges, trestles, and skyscrapers???? Yeah, I already know that answer....

8 grand for a sand blast and a coat of paint? That's a hell of a lot of money for something that will remain a dead object on display. A steam engine must come alive under steam, or at least under compressed air. My idea.

@paulcopeland9035

3 жыл бұрын

Did you bother to listen to the audio? The extra funds will go towards a concrete slab and protective structure.

With a once-through steam system, was there a separate feed water pump or was something built into the engine? Were there any controls in the system or did an operator have to watch the water level all the time?

How much would it cost to purchase an air compressor to run this engine? I know of a foundation that supports such projects.

What happened to the stoker engine?

@terry6131

3 жыл бұрын

work in progress. most parts are with other people, eg, Abom

@canuckloyalist4681

3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. Thought the Woohoo flu might have got it.

@johnhenderson1760

3 жыл бұрын

You're going to need a bigger tub of Evaporust.

@Blazer02LS

3 жыл бұрын

@jacktheripped If they ever get back from vacation....

@KPSchleyer

3 жыл бұрын

Yea how long did they say they were going for?

Why not a rosebud attachment instead of the cutting attachment?

In future, if you ever did want to get it running for some reason, I guess you could put a modern boiler *inside* the riveted one? Or is that not possible?

@LightAndSportyGuy

3 жыл бұрын

One could just make a new welded boiler with fake rivet heads on it for a lot less work and money.

@timothybarney7257

3 жыл бұрын

Another possibility would be to plumb it with a hidden pipe connected inside the steam dome to the inlet of the engine that is fed from a separate modern industrial boiler outside of the original boiler so that it appears to be in service, but isn't under pressure itself.

Kieth, what do they seal the boiler doors with, or do they?

Just my $0.02 cents worth. Static displays are nice. But true working displays allows the younger generations to actually see how such machines ran and operated. I see so many people removing old steam engines and put the effort in them for static displays and that is honorable and great. But we are loosing so many older working models that the future generations just don't get to see the engineering man made equipment that built their those machines with out computer technologies. So with that stated, please try to make it a true working model. It peaks the younger generation's attentions into what life was like back during those periods. Sure they are huge, bulky and noisy and even messy, but they did the job for many many years as well. Man's ingenuity, and not computer aided designs (CAD), rule those days. A retire computer program and reverse engineer engineering/technician.

How much horsepower does that engine develop - just curious?

Seems like an awful lot money and effort for a static display! Perhaps you could take up a collection to have a new boiler built for it?

Me thinks you might want to use some of that extra money to fix the clutch on that forklift... ;-) It's kind of on/off on that thing...

@froggleggers1805

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not so sure its the clutch.

@johnc4158

3 жыл бұрын

Bet the brakes are shot. lol

@cadewey6181

3 жыл бұрын

If thats a John Deere, it has wet brakes but has worn off all the brake material, and is now steel against steel wearing into the cast hub which is why it does not release easily. The next thing it will be covering up the hydraulic oil strainer with fiber starving the system. Hope I am wrong, but it sounds too familiar.

@ronalddaub7965

3 жыл бұрын

A forklift is probably automatic which would like you think the clutch is slipping I don't know but most forklifts brakes are wore out LOL you can shove it in reverse and stop it

@kevintheilen9643

3 жыл бұрын

Was just about to suggest the same thing- clutch. That type of forklift is really a tractor in reverse. It's not a JD- maybe Hyster?

Steel Driving man lol

I was dismayed that you didnt try to spin over the engine by hand.

@KrisDouglas

3 жыл бұрын

No point in potentially buggering up the cylinder bore any more than nececary, gives a better chance of a working restoration in the future.

Won't the budget run to some penetrating oil ?

Kieth, please wear some heavy leather gloves when working with those heavy loads. I am currently recovering from my own mishap that crushed the end of a finger. Gloves could have helped me.

A Fricking steam engine

How about a cheater display for it? Cosmetic restore but hide an electric motor inside the boiler that could be connected via chain up through the bottom of the engine and use a split hub and sprocket to turn the engine.

Is it just me or does David King (@14:30) look like Dakota Fred Hurt (gazettereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dakota-fred-hurt-prime.png) from Gold Rush?

If it’s only going to be a static display, why a cosmetic makeover? Seems that money would be better spent on working hardware.

At least run it on compressed air. It ran for years without damage it'll run for a few more years without damage

One ought to not trifle with a man who carries a key ring that large and has a leatherman on his belt in the original leather holster.

Just got to love insurance company. If it coast them 1 red cent it so it would be cancelled.

@jonathanrichards593

3 жыл бұрын

To be fair, a boiler explosion is never pretty, and almost always kills or maims the engineer at the least. You can't expect that an insurance company is going to buy that risk, at any price. if a boiler inspector condemns the boiler.

Can anyone do anything without asking you. Or you tell them that they can do it? M

Could you use steam from another source? A modern steam boiler, feed through pipes to hide where it comes from? It's a shame just seeing a steam engines is a lot different . Why not ask for the additional money to bring the Engine and a new boiler to finish this project. Save it for generations to come. They have never seen a steam tractor in a field driving across the field, Sending a shower of Sparks up as it goes. Imagine what it was like when it was first made and used. Ask the viewers if they would sponsor it, set up a go fund me account. I am sure it would be a tax credit for most people.

Next time bust 90 with two hammers

Why was this condemned for operation? 1935 and riveted means its likely an ASME boiler and that is not a reason to condem it. If just because it is riveted a new insurance company is needed.

@frankdeegan8974

3 жыл бұрын

when the insurance company is the state this is what one gets. water heat time and pressure has all too often in the past proved to be a deadly combination. welded boilers are much safer.

@Frankowillo

3 жыл бұрын

People like you need to think before you mouth off. It's a museum open to the public, so yes, the State considers safety first. The fact that YOU think the boiler is safe is totally irrelevant to the situation.

@lineshaftrestorations7903

3 жыл бұрын

Unless you are a boiler owner/operator/restorer you have no say about what is or is not safe. No boiler should be considered safe to operate without a proper engineering survey. Appointed beaurocrats who condem a boiler simply because the technology is not widely used today is being arbitrary and ignorant. The ASME code of boiler construction allows for riveted boilers. Like a welded boiler, it would be designed with the proper factor of safety for the desired operating pressure. In this case, the safe operating pressure would be determined by the physical condition. If this boiler is defective then yes put it on display or if practical, spend the money to repair it. Frick built all boilers in 1935 to the ASME code. They may not have been stamped as such if they were purchased without the ASME certification. Know this: A new welded boiler in the hands of an idiot is far more dangerous than a good riveted one in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.

@Frankowillo

3 жыл бұрын

@@lineshaftrestorations7903: Your entire argument is laughable. Not worth wasting my time pointing out the bullshit behind your ideas.

@Fabes002

3 жыл бұрын

@@Frankowillo wow... you're pretty much a dick aren't you???

Either you need a new forklift or a new operator. Don’t get too near either one!

@jonathanrichards593

3 жыл бұрын

+1. Clutch doesn't seem very progressive, does it?

It's bad luck to work on an old machine with new gloves.

Cosmetic Restoration. Isn't that a synonym for - Rusting aay from the inside out? Just like how many other locomotives and steam engines where people don'w have the guts, ingenuity or finances to do a thorough job. Yes, it has a riveted boiler. Yes, Inspectors who wear specticles as opposed to testers who have tes... Never mind. . You could weld the joints of the boiler plate along the edges. The public, who have likely never seen one of these operated would never know the difference. Keith, I know you would love to see this run. At static display is nothing more than a rust bucket. They condemned it because it is easier to say NO than Do it right. Have people look at and see and wonder what it is all about. What is it for. Why doesn't it run. I can't watch. This is the first time I have ever wanted to give a "Down" rating. I can't do that because it is your posting and nothing you do is anything but good, interesting and done properly. On this one, you are a puppet of the system.