I will never forget Christmas eve 1982 when I got my Wilesco steam engine! I was 12 years old and was totally amazed! Today it is still running, of course, and I frequently have fun with it!
21 year old here and eyed the D4 version for my entry into steam powered stuff and I’m loving what I’m seeing. Bought my D4 today, can’t wait to get into the fun!
Great to see these are still going. I had a Wilesco D20 when I was perhaps 8 or so and ran it to death... I sold it a couple of years back to help fund my 1/3rd size traction engine that I'm now building. I suppose once you start playing with steam engines you get hooked!
+ChriX Builds I was surprised that Wilesco were still making engines like this. There is a video of the factory on here, amazing that they still build things by hand. I have the machine shop add on now and will be making a better video in a few weeks. Your build sounds interesting.
Hello Fred. I, too was looking at these types of steam engines. it is a good learning tool for children and still most enjoyable for adults. I watched videos of real mnicro steam engines on RUclips where they build a track and the owner actually rides the train and places coal in the burner to keep the train running on the track. It is amazing but it has to be treated with care and caution. I would suspect a ride on steam engine would be something that you'd have to be trained on to treat it with the respect it deserves. it sure looks like fun. Thanks for sharing and stirring up the excited nature of a child in me again.
+Andy Tobin Yep one of the items I wished I had owned in my childhood and so surprised to find them still being made today. If you ever were to consider buying one of these engines for a child then full supervision is required at all times. The plating on the boiler gets hot and the small steam pipe would burn a childs hands. We kinda live in a nanny state where burning things and making steam is not really considered for kids. Hope your keeping well buddy. happy new Year to you and your family.
Well first of all I think that I’m a lil late to the party, but as a 17 year old German that has worked with the people @ Wilesco for the last 4-5 Years (Helping out on Christmas markets) I actually have a lot of fun playing with these. I „inherited“my Dads from his youth and finally earned my own one from all my work at the Christmas markets :3 (D21 if anyone’s interested - Ran for 5 years and I kinda broke a few parts over that period of time) I realise that I’m a „rarity“, but I genuinely enjoy talking to older folks who remember these from their childhoods quite a lot. I have seen many children fall in love with these marvels at those markets, but sadly for them the charm wears of quickly. So heads up to everyone reading this (you are probably double my age or more), there are still some people interested in this kind of stuff :). And for you Fred, keep up the great work and visit us in Germany this Christmas :P
That's what's great about steam engines. Despite the "soulless" modern technology, steam machines are still loved, and models are still made and available today. I love steam technology, and and so do many others. I like to think about there being a time in the future when steam technology will make a bigger comeback. Maybe they will find cleaner ways to heat up the boiler so it will be less air-poluting.
Here i am now in my 50's and I've fired up my D16 one for the second time Well and truly awesome German craftsmanship and engineering Will be adding to my collection
Hahahaha : ) I love everything here, including the mid-life crisis. I am 50 years old, and I remember these wonderful toys from my childhood. I might buy one myself. Thank you for your upload and your enthusiasm.
Thanks. I am getting the Wilesco Mighty Atom steam tractor for Christmas, a real kid iam. I will make a video on that puffing around so do come back next year.
I'm sure that you are looking forward to christmas this year then: ) I love the fact that the factory is still in business in Germany. And that everything is still assembled by hand. There is also a factory in England making steam engines by hand: www.mamod.co.uk I better have a break from these steam engine video's. I feel very tempted to buy one. I can't get enough of all the wonderful details. And the fact that you can actually run it.
Yes Mamod are still going. Very tempted by the Steam Roadster car as a friend had one as a child. still made the same. I think wilesco are just a tiny bit better on the construction quality and you can buy direct from Germany on ebay cheaper than UK sellers.
One thing that I have noticed is that Mamod use rivets, where Wilesco use screws. Personally I prefer screws. The day I buy a steam engine, is when I have figured out how to incorporate the steam engine with something that is radio controlled, wich is my 'thing'. It has to be something original.
petergorm I would like a radio controlled traction engine to run in our 4th of July steam parade in Cumming, GA which normally is filled with 12":1' Traction engines. Kids would love it.
I have a D20 and a D455 - the D20 is very similar to this engine. The 20 runs so smoothly and steams up pretty quickly as well - very nice products, these!
06:00: Running on Tap Water is fine as long as it's not overly hard; you can remove Limescale by mixing Vinegar with Water and heating it up in the Boiler without actually running the Engine. The Blowdown Valve makes disposing that Mixture even easier. That Trick works very well with Kettles too. Besides: You shouldn't run your Steam Engine on pure distilled Water anyway; it will slowly draw the Zinc from the Brass Boiler turning it into Copper. Instead, mix distilled and Tap Water roundabout 1:1.
Amazing how little the design has changed in over 50 years! I had a similar model when I was around 12yo in the late 60's. The first unit used the solid fuel bars I remember being called "Esbit" tablets? After suffering a burn on my finger, we returned this model for one that used an electric heating pad under the boiler! It did the job without real flame. I also had the machine shop kit too. Some 50 years later, I threw it whole thing out (binned) due to boiler rot. Shame.
I think that the Sears Christmas Catalog included a few Wilesco models, back in the 1960s in the USA. They were pretty expensive back then, and I never had one. I was heavily into plastic model aircraft and armor, at that time. Now that I am a retired 70 year old Mechanical Engineer, with plenty of money, I think that I will buy my first Wilesco model steam engine. The featured model D18 looks pretty good!
The crisis is real my friend....I am 39 and know exactly what you are talking about! I bought an Eachine ET1 hit and miss engine awhile ago and have had a lot of fun fiddling with it. Now i have decided i need a steamer to go with it. I am torn between a Jensen or Wilesco at this point. My mother is German and she would appreciate the Wilesco i am sure. Decisions, decisions........
I also like the D18 frim Wilesco. It is mor a functional model with clean design. And it got the "full size" piston/cylinder with a good amount of power. Good choice.
Dad was a major in the air force, 1955 at the officers club, Bingo nite. I was 5 and won a bingo. the prizes were on display. I wanted a wilesco tractor, but dad being a responsible man accepted a 25 dollar savings bond for me. this bothered me quite a bit as you may imagine. Bothered me for years. At 45 years old had a problem one saturday morning with my wife and just had to get away. I remembered seeing an ad for this tractor in the news paper that morning. So i drove to the toy store and paid allot of money for my tractor. I love my tractor and thirty years later still play with it . Also later got a good deal on a mamod . my wife is long gone.
On christmas 1982 i have a d20 from My father bekame. Now 2023 i am 50 and i play with her and i am so happy. In think when i play with her on old days to christmas. Greetings from germany 😊
Just like you, to my surprise, Wilesco, Mamod, etc. are still in buisness with kids these days who just sit in front of the tele or computer all day. I do enjoy the joy of maintenence, playing, or just firing up a steam engine, love it! I also recently bought a Wilesco Tractor on Ebay brand new in kit! Might be here at Monday, hope you had a blast with that stationary engine you have there! Cheers
Thanks. Your kit sounds like a lot of fun. Its a pity they are almost the same cost as the built engines. Ive ordered the Mighty Atom steam tractor. i will do a video on it prob in the New Year.
fredintheshed1 Alright! I'll sub as well since your reviews are pretty fun. And it is a stupid choice for the kit's price and prebuilt price the same, about 300 hundred dollars!
fredintheshed1 Great! I'll be looking coward to the video, I'll be also documenting the process of building, and 1 last thing, you say that mostly people older would want one? Well, I'm only 13! I am fond of steam engines, waited 2 and a half year to save a bunch of money for this! Cheers mate
Asc Asc IKR! They are way better than video games, and you are very lucky person to have this much live steam engines, I have a Wilesco D415. Do u have a live steam locomotive by mamod?
The water you catch when you defrost the fridge is free from any lime content equivilant to distilled water. Filling the boiler with hot water from the kettle speeds up the process of getting steam up. we normally keep water in a flask when steaming my sons engine.
Good Video. I personally collect Wilesco machines. I grew up with the real engines, and it is nice to "play" with the smaller versions. Perhaps you should show some of the accessories such as the wood cutters, or the little welder (M96).
I laughed when saw this video, because we came back from the national railway museum in York desperate for a steam engine. Two hours later and bought a Wilesco D65 traction engine “Made in *Western* Germany” so its well old. Ran it today for the first time and it’s flawless. Extraordinary build quality, just needed a clean and now in descaling for 24hrs❤️
@@GatorTee I'm fiddling with that right now. Fiddling because I have the much smaller D10 so I need to squeeze more Power out of it. Anyway; that Dynamo generates Alternating Current so you need to rectify that before you can do anything else. Next Thing is that USB requires exactly 5 V DC, so you need a DC-DC Converter to maintain a constant Voltage. Finally does it really take a long Time to charge a Phone that Way and the Boiler will be out of Water (really not good at all) a long Time before that, so you need to add a Feed Pump to keep it running long enough; the only Wilesco Engine that has such a Feature included is the D21.
Hi Fred, believe it or not: Just yesterday I bought an used old Wilesco D18. Now I was looking for some information and tried to find a video with a running D18 while my machine is still shipped on it's way to me. That's why I found you. Thank you for your effort!
I had a couple of Mammods as a kid, a stationary and a traction engine. Being the impatient type and a determined experimentor I couldn't be ar5ed with waiting for the pathetic meths burners to raise steam so I used a gas blow torch!!! Hadn't quite realised the danger from melting solder yet, but I survived, and man did it get upto steam quickly! I then got tired of the safety valve blowing off, so I 'modified' that to increase pressure, which really got the crude oscillating engine buzzing! And that was when I reached the design limits of Mammods when everything either wore out very quickly or revved apart in a shower of small parts and steam!
Wilescos are fairly decent Engines, but I will say the best I've ever owned was my original D-20, never had a problem with her. Every Wilesco I've bought since has always had a problem at one point. I bought a D-21 because I liked the paint scheme and the hand pump, but I needed to fart around with the check valve and spring inside the hand pump for it to actually work, also the boiler developed a few leaks after the first few runs, where it was just solidified flux plugging the little pinholes until the heat softened it again and started to leak, so I was chasing leaks around the sight glass flange with a micro-torch for a while. I always use the heavy grade 600W steam cylinder oil that I use for my Big Engines (instead of the thin crap they send you) in both the lubricator and on the wrist and crank pins, eccentric strap, and crankshaft bearing journals because it clings to the surfaces better, AND it quiets the engine down considerably since they clatter and knock horribly. I never run them fast either, I run them very sedately because it's more prototypical, and also it's much easier on the engine's working parts.
I ve read that the older engines were made with better parts, or maybe just built to a higher standard. I guess these Wilesco's are no more than big boys toys. With a little skill iam sure you could machine better parts with real bearings etc and rebuild them. Agree about running the engines slower. Just cant really see the point of running it flat out. Thanks for the info.
That's exactly why I don't like the throttle-less engines, because they rattle themselves apart and dance across the table if you over fire them. Extremely stupid not to have a throttle. I don't use esbit tablets in my engines either, I actually use a Bernzomatic torch that I set to a very low flame and the engines are very happy. I can easily regulate the throttle-less engines and I can keep the throttled engines from blowing the safety all the time. I've been getting run times of an Hour or more out of them, because I'm running them efficiently. Running them at a moderate speed at a pressure where you're not blowing all of your water out of the safety valve and the engine is actually using the steam.
I've wanted one since I was a kid, always wanted the Jensen model 85 since it is simple and could be used to run a variety of projects since it runs at such a high RPM.
+Marco Buijs Hi, not a patch on the D32 though. I was blown away by that. Only wish they still made it. Thanks for the tip about rain water, I never thought of that. Cheers
Nice video. A thought. I saw something the other day about advancing the valve timing so that the steam is admitted just before tdc. Gives a cushioning to the piston so it doesn't slap around and gives it a good push down the cylinder. Just passing it along.
Careful, these are very addictive. Mind you I'm an American 15 year-old and I build these. I'm on my second build and I own a wilesco D21. I got mine when I was 9.
I had on of those Mamod traction engines. Loved it. Now restoring it. Fill direct from kettle. Might be worth making up a meths burner for your Wilesco. Also, it sounds very rattly. Might be worth checking the oiling.
I liked you enthusiasm about this WILESCO toy-enigine-which has nothing in common with the plastic toys of today. WILESCO and MAMOD are the only 2 factories worldwide, which produce steam engines on a large scale.
After 32 years riding a BSA my crisis buy was a BMW Rotax single. It's like a Vespa compared to the BSA so I am buying steam engines too for that real machinery feel fix. I'll never sell my Beezer though, use methanol in a tray made for it.
My dad had BSA's in the 50,s 60,s. I know that these steam models are a little crude and are no more than toys left over from the 70,s but I still want more of them. :-)
@@CB-RADIO-UK Yep that's true, really want a couple of coaches with it but for over 250 pounds each.. Hornby makes live steam but in 00 gauge. They are nice. :))
@@Romin.777 Yeah it never ends once you get the bug :-) I started with "The Mighty Atom" steam lorry and 2 Mamod Roadsters, + Steam Tractor and counting
LOL is that all. Guess iam not going to run much from that. I see you can get better after market versions but I think you do need a biggish boiler to run them.
I have a Mamod TE1a that I bought when I was about 10-11 years old? I did odd jobs and scrimped and saved every penny I could get my hands on for it. It is still in good shape in its original box, too! I ended up taking MUCH better care of it than I did most things that were given to me as Christmas or birthday gifts during that period. Go figure.
I see Mamod now makes a Traction Engine powered by a proper slide valve engine called that they call the Centurion. I was contemplating picking one up, but then I saw that the Wilesco D405 is considerably less expensive.
I had my mid-life crisis at 35yrs old. I sold the house and booked a trip to Thailand for 6wks. I came back, bought a Corvette and started dating a 19yr old college student and never looked back...
just think if you were stuck what that could do, charge your phone, run a few small hand appliances, charge larger batteries enough to run a coffee maker or boil water , give you light...all things except drive you around or do farm work
If you're worried about chalk-scale, buy steam-iron water from the supermarket, or de-mineralised battery top-up water from the local motor factor. (Not acid!)
Do you happen to know what these tablets were called again? Ayway, could just be me or weren´t those tablets you fed into the machine made illegal in some countries a long time ago?
They may illegal in some countries i guess. Over in the UK the meth burners were replaced with these solid fuel paraffin tablets. Hang on i will add a link for their proper name.
Here you go. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MSS-Solid-Fuel-Tablets-Ideal-For-Mamod-Other-Live-Steam-Engine-Models-/232183499251?hash=item360f3709f3:g:xFUAAOSw8w1X7WgL
This looks very familar to something I heard a long time ago were not legal to sell anymore since it could be used by terrorists and such and it was at recently 10 years ago earliest.
Hey I'm only 16 and begging to get one of these, however I also play with Hydrochloric acid generate chorine gas and harsh chemicals in my spare time so I guess I'm not normal?
fredintheshed1 Don't worry I use a gas rated respirator, but sometimes you catch a whiff of chlorine in a low enough concentration that it won't cause any damage but still concentrated enough to turn your tear ducts into waterfalls. I can guarantee you won't have any nasal congestion for a while.
+1marcelfilms I guess its not cheap but in fairness these little engines never really were. I ordered it direct from Germany and saved about £60 on UK prices.
+1marcelfilms Been there buddy. I rem having to borrow £50 off my dad to pay the electric bill so I did not get cut off.;-(. There are cheaper models in the range. Think they start at the D3.
It does seem a retro thing. See when i was your age these type of engines were sold in hobby shops all over town but were really expensive and normally Mammod brand. Older people like me can now afford them, hence ive now got the Mighty Atom on order' :-) Good on you at 13 to find steam models interesting. By my age you will hopefully be building your own models. :-)
Look at the speed- just to illuminate that lamp. The gearing is just so ridiculously wrong. Treat yourself to a bigger engine pulley, and you can shut your running speed down by at least half.
Steam is only dangerous when not respected. I have models and full size steam boats and traction engines and locomotives. It must be respected. Its only daneropus when not respected
+Martinatorthebossman 25 I think you can pick up a D3 for about that much. I wanted a little more power myself. I now have a M56 workshop with M61 forge and it runs with no probs ;-)
l feel a midlife crisis coming on Fred . Be careful the next step is the pipe and slippers next to the fireplace and a glass of sherry just for medicinal purposes lol
+shaun pi Nothing wrong with slippers and sherry buddy. Helps with the joints. Think I will give the pipe a miss though as my dad smoked one many years ago and it stank the house out. LOL
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I will never forget Christmas eve 1982 when I got my Wilesco steam engine! I was 12 years old and was totally amazed! Today it is still running, of course, and I frequently have fun with it!
21 year old here and eyed the D4 version for my entry into steam powered stuff and I’m loving what I’m seeing. Bought my D4 today, can’t wait to get into the fun!
Nice one. Enjoy your engine.
Ran a small stationary steam engine back in the late 60's, loved that thing and spent hours on it.
Great to see these are still going. I had a Wilesco D20 when I was perhaps 8 or so and ran it to death... I sold it a couple of years back to help fund my 1/3rd size traction engine that I'm now building. I suppose once you start playing with steam engines you get hooked!
+ChriX Builds I was surprised that Wilesco were still making engines like this. There is a video of the factory on here, amazing that they still build things by hand. I have the machine shop add on now and will be making a better video in a few weeks. Your build sounds interesting.
Hello Fred. I, too was looking at these types of steam engines. it is a good learning tool for children and still most enjoyable for adults. I watched videos of real mnicro steam engines on RUclips where they build a track and the owner actually rides the train and places coal in the burner to keep the train running on the track. It is amazing but it has to be treated with care and caution. I would suspect a ride on steam engine would be something that you'd have to be trained on to treat it with the respect it deserves. it sure looks like fun. Thanks for sharing and stirring up the excited nature of a child in me again.
+Andy Tobin Yep one of the items I wished I had owned in my childhood and so surprised to find them still being made today. If you ever were to consider buying one of these engines for a child then full supervision is required at all times. The plating on the boiler gets hot and the small steam pipe would burn a childs hands. We kinda live in a nanny state where burning things and making steam is not really considered for kids. Hope your keeping well buddy. happy new Year to you and your family.
Well first of all I think that I’m a lil late to the party, but as a 17 year old German that has worked with the people @ Wilesco for the last 4-5 Years (Helping out on Christmas markets) I actually have a lot of fun playing with these. I „inherited“my Dads from his youth and finally earned my own one from all my work at the Christmas markets :3 (D21 if anyone’s interested - Ran for 5 years and I kinda broke a few parts over that period of time) I realise that I’m a „rarity“, but I genuinely enjoy talking to older folks who remember these from their childhoods quite a lot. I have seen many children fall in love with these marvels at those markets, but sadly for them the charm wears of quickly. So heads up to everyone reading this (you are probably double my age or more), there are still some people interested in this kind of stuff :). And for you Fred, keep up the great work and visit us in Germany this Christmas :P
Hi. Nice to have some feedback from someone who has worked in the factory. All the best from a wet and chilly UK.
That's what's great about steam engines. Despite the "soulless" modern technology, steam machines are still loved, and models are still made and available today. I love steam technology, and and so do many others. I like to think about there being a time in the future when steam technology will make a bigger comeback. Maybe they will find cleaner ways to heat up the boiler so it will be less air-poluting.
Congratulations! I’ve had a Wilesco D20 for the past few years and absolutely love it.
Here i am now in my 50's and I've fired up my D16 one for the second time
Well and truly awesome German craftsmanship and engineering
Will be adding to my collection
Wilesco is the real deal. I'm totally going to guy one for my nephews when they get a bit older. 🙂
Hahahaha : ) I love everything here, including the mid-life crisis. I am 50 years old, and I remember these wonderful toys from my childhood. I might buy one myself. Thank you for your upload and your enthusiasm.
Thanks. I am getting the Wilesco Mighty Atom steam tractor for Christmas, a real kid iam. I will make a video on that puffing around so do come back next year.
I'm sure that you are looking forward to christmas this year then: ) I love the fact that the factory is still in business in Germany. And that everything is still assembled by hand. There is also a factory in England making steam engines by hand: www.mamod.co.uk
I better have a break from these steam engine video's. I feel very tempted to buy one. I can't get enough of all the wonderful details. And the fact that you can actually run it.
Yes Mamod are still going. Very tempted by the Steam Roadster car as a friend had one as a child. still made the same. I think wilesco are just a tiny bit better on the construction quality and you can buy direct from Germany on ebay cheaper than UK sellers.
One thing that I have noticed is that Mamod use rivets, where Wilesco use screws. Personally I prefer screws.
The day I buy a steam engine, is when I have figured out how to incorporate the steam engine with something that is radio controlled, wich is my 'thing'. It has to be something original.
petergorm I would like a radio controlled traction engine to run in our 4th of July steam parade in Cumming, GA which normally is filled with 12":1' Traction engines. Kids would love it.
Big Traks I had the dump cart too, I loved that thing. Know what I want for Christmas...again.
LOL. Ive got the re launched Big Trak. The mini version was cool too.
I have a D20 and a D455 - the D20 is very similar to this engine. The 20 runs so smoothly and steams up pretty quickly as well - very nice products, these!
I agree. They are addictive, ive just ordered the Mighty Atom steam tractor.
Last year I bought my first steam engine a Wilesco roller and now I have 21. :P
Love the engines Wilesco make, good looking and sturdy engines.
I think they are pretty good and amazing how you can still buy them in 2016.
Yup and they last forever if taken good care of.
06:00: Running on Tap Water is fine as long as it's not overly hard; you can remove Limescale by mixing Vinegar with Water and heating it up in the Boiler without actually running the Engine. The Blowdown Valve makes disposing that Mixture even easier. That Trick works very well with Kettles too.
Besides: You shouldn't run your Steam Engine on pure distilled Water anyway; it will slowly draw the Zinc from the Brass Boiler turning it into Copper. Instead, mix distilled and Tap Water roundabout 1:1.
Amazing how little the design has changed in over 50 years! I had a similar model when I was around 12yo in the late 60's. The first unit used the solid fuel bars I remember being called "Esbit" tablets? After suffering a burn on my finger, we returned this model for one that used an electric heating pad under the boiler! It did the job without real flame. I also had the machine shop kit too. Some 50 years later, I threw it whole thing out (binned) due to boiler rot. Shame.
I think that the Sears Christmas Catalog included a few Wilesco models, back in the 1960s in the USA. They were pretty expensive back then, and I never had one. I was heavily into plastic model aircraft and armor, at that time. Now that I am a retired 70 year old Mechanical Engineer, with plenty of money, I think that I will buy my first Wilesco model steam engine. The featured model D18 looks pretty good!
The crisis is real my friend....I am 39 and know exactly what you are talking about! I bought an Eachine ET1 hit and miss engine awhile ago and have had a lot of fun fiddling with it. Now i have decided i need a steamer to go with it. I am torn between a Jensen or Wilesco at this point. My mother is German and she would appreciate the Wilesco i am sure. Decisions, decisions........
I also like the D18 frim Wilesco. It is mor a functional model with clean design. And it got the "full size" piston/cylinder with a good amount of power. Good choice.
Glad I’ve found your channel. I’ve got a stationary engine , remote control car. Meccano is being delivered wed.
Have fun!
Dad was a major in the air force, 1955 at the officers club, Bingo nite. I was 5 and won a bingo. the prizes were on display. I wanted a wilesco tractor, but dad being a responsible man accepted a 25 dollar savings bond for me. this bothered me quite a bit as you may imagine. Bothered me for years. At 45 years old had a problem one saturday morning with my wife and just had to get away. I remembered seeing an ad for this tractor in the news paper that morning. So i drove to the toy store and paid allot of money for my tractor. I love my tractor and thirty years later still play with it . Also later got a good deal on a mamod . my wife is long gone.
Thank you for the story it was great. Sometimes if you have an itch you just have to scratch it. :-)
On christmas 1982 i have a d20 from My father bekame. Now 2023 i am 50 and i play with her and i am so happy. In think when i play with her on old days to christmas. Greetings from germany 😊
Just like you, to my surprise, Wilesco, Mamod, etc. are still in buisness with kids these days who just sit in front of the tele or computer all day. I do enjoy the joy of maintenence, playing, or just firing up a steam engine, love it! I also recently bought a Wilesco Tractor on Ebay brand new in kit! Might be here at Monday, hope you had a blast with that stationary engine you have there! Cheers
Thanks. Your kit sounds like a lot of fun. Its a pity they are almost the same cost as the built engines. Ive ordered the Mighty Atom steam tractor. i will do a video on it prob in the New Year.
fredintheshed1 Alright! I'll sub as well since your reviews are pretty fun. And it is a stupid choice for the kit's price and prebuilt price the same, about 300 hundred dollars!
Thanks for the sub. The Mighty Atom will be reviewed next yet :-)
fredintheshed1 Great! I'll be looking coward to the video, I'll be also documenting the process of building, and 1 last thing, you say that mostly people older would want one? Well, I'm only 13! I am fond of steam engines, waited 2 and a half year to save a bunch of money for this! Cheers mate
Asc Asc IKR! They are way better than video games, and you are very lucky person to have this much live steam engines, I have a Wilesco D415. Do u have a live steam locomotive by mamod?
The water you catch when you defrost the fridge is free from any lime content equivilant to distilled water. Filling the boiler with hot water from the kettle speeds up the process of getting steam up. we normally keep water in a flask when steaming my sons engine.
Looks awesome that fred. Really nice bit of kit. Thanks for sharing!
+Ringway Manchester Thanks mate. Wonder if it would power a UV5R ?
I bet it would!
+Ringway Manchester Could be interesting. I need to put a volt meter on the generator next time I run it.
Yeah that'd make an interesting video!
Good Video. I personally collect Wilesco machines. I grew up with the real engines, and it is nice to "play" with the smaller versions. Perhaps you should show some of the accessories such as the wood cutters, or the little welder (M96).
Thanks. I do have the M56 workshop and showed that in another video. I will send a link after this comment so check your spam box. All the best.
ruclips.net/video/F5bSgmABJ9o/видео.html
Really enjoyed.... Another "big kid"". Just like me... Haha.... Take care.....
I laughed when saw this video, because we came back from the national railway museum in York desperate for a steam engine. Two hours later and bought a Wilesco D65 traction engine “Made in *Western* Germany” so its well old. Ran it today for the first time and it’s flawless.
Extraordinary build quality, just needed a clean and now in descaling for 24hrs❤️
Nice one. What year year do you recon your engine was made ? They recon the early models were a better quality.
Great fun are they not , I make live steam industrial plants. have a look if you like on my channel
fredintheshed1 all I can say is it’s before 1990 and after I believe 1973 when 1st made?!?
90 onwards would be simply Germany 🇩🇪
I want one of these to charge my phone lol
Thats smart. I think it would work not fast but would work. Just got to wire the wires to a phone charger.
@@GatorTee I'm fiddling with that right now. Fiddling because I have the much smaller D10 so I need to squeeze more Power out of it. Anyway; that Dynamo generates Alternating Current so you need to rectify that before you can do anything else. Next Thing is that USB requires exactly 5 V DC, so you need a DC-DC Converter to maintain a constant Voltage. Finally does it really take a long Time to charge a Phone that Way and the Boiler will be out of Water (really not good at all) a long Time before that, so you need to add a Feed Pump to keep it running long enough; the only Wilesco Engine that has such a Feature included is the D21.
Yeah
Hi Fred, believe it or not: Just yesterday I bought an used old Wilesco D18. Now I was looking for some information and tried to find a video with a running D18 while my machine is still shipped on it's way to me. That's why I found you. Thank you for your effort!
Nice one. Good luck with the D18.
Very nice voice.Realy nice video to watch.
Thanks a lot
I think many of us had one, and let it go many years ago. Every year I look in the catalogue, this may just be the year.
They seem to be getting more expensive year on year so maybe now is the time :-)
I had a couple of Mammods as a kid, a stationary and a traction engine. Being the impatient type and a determined experimentor I couldn't be ar5ed with waiting for the pathetic meths burners to raise steam so I used a gas blow torch!!! Hadn't quite realised the danger from melting solder yet, but I survived, and man did it get upto steam quickly! I then got tired of the safety valve blowing off, so I 'modified' that to increase pressure, which really got the crude oscillating engine buzzing! And that was when I reached the design limits of Mammods when everything either wore out very quickly or revved apart in a shower of small parts and steam!
LOL. I think you got your monies worth out of them. I always pre heat the water.
Wilescos are fairly decent Engines, but I will say the best I've ever owned was my original D-20, never had a problem with her. Every Wilesco I've bought since has always had a problem at one point. I bought a D-21 because I liked the paint scheme and the hand pump, but I needed to fart around with the check valve and spring inside the hand pump for it to actually work, also the boiler developed a few leaks after the first few runs, where it was just solidified flux plugging the little pinholes until the heat softened it again and started to leak, so I was chasing leaks around the sight glass flange with a micro-torch for a while. I always use the heavy grade 600W steam cylinder oil that I use for my Big Engines (instead of the thin crap they send you) in both the lubricator and on the wrist and crank pins, eccentric strap, and crankshaft bearing journals because it clings to the surfaces better, AND it quiets the engine down considerably since they clatter and knock horribly. I never run them fast either, I run them very sedately because it's more prototypical, and also it's much easier on the engine's working parts.
I ve read that the older engines were made with better parts, or maybe just built to a higher standard. I guess these Wilesco's are no more than big boys toys. With a little skill iam sure you could machine better parts with real bearings etc and rebuild them. Agree about running the engines slower. Just cant really see the point of running it flat out. Thanks for the info.
SteamAndSmoke97 models like the d6 run wide open anyway because there is no regulator.
That's exactly why I don't like the throttle-less engines, because they rattle themselves apart and dance across the table if you over fire them. Extremely stupid not to have a throttle. I don't use esbit tablets in my engines either, I actually use a Bernzomatic torch that I set to a very low flame and the engines are very happy. I can easily regulate the throttle-less engines and I can keep the throttled engines from blowing the safety all the time. I've been getting run times of an Hour or more out of them, because I'm running them efficiently. Running them at a moderate speed at a pressure where you're not blowing all of your water out of the safety valve and the engine is actually using the steam.
SteamAndSmoke97 i will not have a engine with no throttle either. i figure whats the point if you only get to watch one speed. i want a d405 next
I've wanted one since I was a kid, always wanted the Jensen model 85 since it is simple and could be used to run a variety of projects since it runs at such a high RPM.
www.SteamEnginesUSA.com you can order one
Wow I love that thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for watching!
it seems every video they are either putting some drops of lighter fuel on the pellets or they use those gas pump burners wilesco sells
The pellets can be hard to get going sometimes.
Nice vid, i like the D18, especially the colours and the light function. Its much cheaper than a Porsche!
Rain water seems to be ok to use as well.
+Marco Buijs Hi, not a patch on the D32 though. I was blown away by that. Only wish they still made it. Thanks for the tip about rain water, I never thought of that. Cheers
Hopefully someday, I'll own a model steam engine. I think they are great
Funny to see comments about the dangers of these toys. Having survived Cox tether airplanes and Honda ATCs, my Mamod tractor seems very safe.
I am 46 years old have Model trains, RC Aeroplanes and since yesterday a Willesco D10 steam engine. And a running bid on a D20 Hahaha
LOL i know. Ive just restored a 1977 Mamod Roadster and want to do another. Sub as a video will be up on that soon. Cheers.
@@CB-RADIO-UK
I will :))
There is something fascinating about steampower, and collecting and playing with the stuff you"ve never got as a kid. :))
Very well said :-)
Nice video. A thought. I saw something the other day about advancing the valve timing so that the steam is admitted just before tdc. Gives a cushioning to the piston so it doesn't slap around and gives it a good push down the cylinder. Just passing it along.
Makes sense. No idea how you could adjust this model though without bending things.
love steam powerd equipment I am 13 and drive the really big ploughing engines
Wow you drive the real things. That's fantastic.
I got a D24 when I was about 13 yo, still got it but it hasn't run for 35 years
I would've lost my mind if my parents got me that for Christmas back in the early 2000s.
what do you mean
I'm 12 and I've been wanting one of these
Since I was 5 . Now I'm 12 and I've just got a D6 .
Nice one. LOL it wont stop as you grow older you will buy more. Enjoy your D6.
@fred in the shed thanks and I will enjoy my d6
Careful, these are very addictive. Mind you I'm an American 15 year-old and I build these. I'm on my second build and I own a wilesco D21. I got mine when I was 9.
Tell me about it LOL. Ive ordered the Wilesco Mighty Atom LOL
When you said that kids might not appreciate it anymore i felt really sad
What a gadget that is Fred...looks ace mate.Try get a few projects connected to it in the New Year have a good one mate.
+charlieoscar09 Thanks buddy. I have an idea already but ive got to start my Bartop Arcade project next.
I had on of those Mamod traction engines. Loved it. Now restoring it. Fill direct from kettle.
Might be worth making up a meths burner for your Wilesco. Also, it sounds very rattly. Might be worth checking the oiling.
I was thinking of a gas burner at sometime in the future. Cheers
@@CB-RADIO-UK good idea. Expensive?
I liked you enthusiasm about this WILESCO toy-enigine-which has nothing in common with the plastic toys of today. WILESCO and MAMOD are the only 2 factories worldwide, which produce steam engines on a large scale.
I love the little Wilesco. Ended up getting a the machine workshop as well, video on the channel. Will buy some more in the future.
if you are interested: you can do a lot with the WILESCOS and MAMODS-simply zap through my channel: stranraerwal
Ok will do :-)
I have 3 Jensen's-but I stated "on a large scale". Jensen makes beautful engines-but not on the output-scale like Wilesco or Mamod.
Are they expensive ?
Damn, I'm at the same stage in my life :)
Steam engines are cheaper than Porsche's :-)
I got 1 Steam Engine
Very nice and wonderful engine. I want too buy this model D 18 .Can you tell me from where i got it. I am from India.
Hi. I ordered mine directly from Germany. I no longer have the link but is your search Wilesco you should find a German seller.
very nice model steam engine.
Thanks Wilesco engines are nice. If they were cheaper i would have many.
After 32 years riding a BSA my crisis buy was a BMW Rotax single. It's like a Vespa compared to the BSA so I am buying steam engines too for that real machinery feel fix. I'll never sell my Beezer though, use methanol in a tray made for it.
My dad had BSA's in the 50,s 60,s. I know that these steam models are a little crude and are no more than toys left over from the 70,s but I still want more of them. :-)
My woman said I was going through a midlife crisis. "Cars, guitars, and women"- I said "Oh that's been going on since I was 13"
I think your heart is in the right place. Good man, and wait for it, regards from Germany!
Thanks Phil. Greetings from the UK.
Hi Fred,
I just got a Hornby Live steam Rocket. ;)
My steamtoy collection is still growing. :))
Midlife crisis for sure.
Haha
Thats a great model. Have they started making it again ?
@@CB-RADIO-UK Nope i think not, only produced between 1976 and 1978. ;)
@@Romin.777 Yes sounds about right. Wish they would re launch it. They go for a fair penny these days.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Yep that's true, really want a couple of coaches with it but for over 250 pounds each..
Hornby makes live steam but in 00 gauge.
They are nice. :))
@@Romin.777 Yeah it never ends once you get the bug :-) I started with "The Mighty Atom" steam lorry and 2 Mamod Roadsters, + Steam Tractor and counting
Hade Wilesco D6 machine when was young. :-)
They still make it :-)
The little Dynamo if im not wrong puts out about 0,1A at full speed
LOL is that all. Guess iam not going to run much from that. I see you can get better after market versions but I think you do need a biggish boiler to run them.
I have a Mamod TE1a that I bought when I was about 10-11 years old? I did odd jobs and scrimped and saved every penny I could get my hands on for it. It is still in good shape in its original box, too! I ended up taking MUCH better care of it than I did most things that were given to me as Christmas or birthday gifts during that period. Go figure.
I see Mamod now makes a Traction Engine powered by a proper slide valve engine called that they call the Centurion. I was contemplating picking one up, but then I saw that the Wilesco D405 is considerably less expensive.
I think that wilesco are better than a toy. They are solid and well made.
it looks I am full in the midlife crisis... in fact they are great!!!
I'm thinking backup emergency phone charger!
I have one from the 1960s
I had my mid-life crisis at 35yrs old.
I sold the house and
booked a trip to Thailand for 6wks. I came back, bought a Corvette and started dating a 19yr old college student and never looked back...
LOL rock on dude.
Oh, hell, now I've got to track down one--!!!
LOL i buy direct from Germany on Ebay.
What is the relationship between stroke and torque/horsepower?
Very low torque on these models.
Nice engine. If you use boiling water you get a longer run
Thanks for the tip!
@@CB-RADIO-UK no worries
just think if you were stuck what that could do, charge your phone, run a few small hand appliances, charge larger batteries enough to run a coffee maker or boil water , give you light...all things except drive you around or do farm work
I think it would charge a phone but you would need to swap out the generator for a larger amp unit to do some other things ;-)
These are sold all over the World. Made in the biggest factory in Germany.
If you're worried about chalk-scale, buy steam-iron water from the supermarket, or de-mineralised battery top-up water from the local motor factor. (Not acid!)
Cheers. Yes i got a bottle of iron water.
Cold water boils faster than hot water sound crazy but true
Have found it cuts the boiler time down though.
If you got a old wilesco you will find they are better built than the new ones
Yes ive read that a few times before Paul.
Why am I not surprised to hear that
Totally the levers for the whistle on my 2 year old wilesco steam tractor seize up when steam builds up
im 11 got one built it its not hard at all but that might just be me highly reccomend these they are super fun.
Nice one !
Good stuff ,, I always wanted the lorry Shane CT1017
Are you green and sell insurance by chance?
No sorry buddy not me.
The engines are NOT static they are live steam.
Do you happen to know what these tablets were called again?
Ayway, could just be me or weren´t those tablets you fed into the machine made illegal in some countries a long time ago?
They may illegal in some countries i guess. Over in the UK the meth burners were replaced with these solid fuel paraffin tablets. Hang on i will add a link for their proper name.
Here you go. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MSS-Solid-Fuel-Tablets-Ideal-For-Mamod-Other-Live-Steam-Engine-Models-/232183499251?hash=item360f3709f3:g:xFUAAOSw8w1X7WgL
This looks very familar to something I heard a long time ago were not legal to sell anymore since it could be used by terrorists and such and it was at recently 10 years ago earliest.
Got you. Perhaps not a good idea to have a pack in your hand luggage when boarding a plane.
huehuehuhehuhueh ^
Super
How much did you pay
About £195 inc postage
Hey I'm only 16 and begging to get one of these, however I also play with Hydrochloric acid generate chorine gas and harsh chemicals in my spare time so I guess I'm not normal?
Well Josh i guess different describes your chemistry hobby. I hope you wear a respirator buddy.
fredintheshed1 Don't worry I use a gas rated respirator, but sometimes you catch a whiff of chlorine in a low enough concentration that it won't cause any damage but still concentrated enough to turn your tear ducts into waterfalls. I can guarantee you won't have any nasal congestion for a while.
LOL crazy guy :-)
That is really really expensive. its a nice toy though but i myself could never get the money for that.
+1marcelfilms I guess its not cheap but in fairness these little engines never really were. I ordered it direct from Germany and saved about £60 on UK prices.
+1marcelfilms Been there buddy. I rem having to borrow £50 off my dad to pay the electric bill so I did not get cut off.;-(. There are cheaper models in the range. Think they start at the D3.
Some day i should just buy one of these things. but for now i keep money in savings for study and my cars
I have a d 20 and I'm 13 I also have 6 mamods and a steam roller also made by wilesco but I think I'm the only person my age who actually likes them
It does seem a retro thing. See when i was your age these type of engines were sold in hobby shops all over town but were really expensive and normally Mammod brand. Older people like me can now afford them, hence ive now got the Mighty Atom on order' :-) Good on you at 13 to find steam models interesting. By my age you will hopefully be building your own models. :-)
Wrong. I'm 16. And have a d20. Four mamods. Wilesco showman and wilesco d405
wreaker united i have d20 too
I’m only 12 and I have a mamod traction engine
17 about to get one of those stationery engines.
Had one engine. I’ve now got 55 (and counting) 😂
WOW thats quite a collection.
I have a d10 and I'm getting a d405 traction engine (I'm 14)
Well done. Its nice to hear younger people into live steam. I thought it was just older men these days.
fredintheshed1 eh seems like I'm the only one lol nice vid btw
It’s not a midlife crisis it’s a hobby
Got a Mamod Roadster to build now :-)
How much this one.......pls
Think i paid around £220 + postage direct from Germany but i think they have gone up.
My midlife crisis start when im born. Lol
And let it cont :-)
bit of a knock at slow speed, but great going!!
Yes the do have a bit of knock. No bearings of course.
Look at the speed- just to illuminate that lamp.
The gearing is just so ridiculously wrong.
Treat yourself to a bigger engine pulley, and you can shut your running speed down by at least half.
A bigger pulley would be a good idea.
i liked this video deal with it
Thanks for the like.
Every penny worth
Steam is only dangerous when not respected. I have models and full size steam boats and traction engines and locomotives. It must be respected. Its only daneropus when not respected
Very true.
You could have gotten the D2 engine, it uses a beeswax tea candle and costs about 70 pounds or $100.00 U.S. Currency
+Martinatorthebossman 25 I think you can pick up a D3 for about that much. I wanted a little more power myself. I now have a M56 workshop with M61 forge and it runs with no probs ;-)
cool
+Martinatorthebossman 25 I will make a video of the whole thing working in a week or two so pop back ;-)
I will be posting a review on the d2 on my channel, you could check it out
+Martinatorthebossman 25 I will take a look ;-)
Sounds a bit rough...
They do chug a bit.
Now try to create enough electricity to power up a small HO train!
I think i would need a bigger boiler ! :-)
Use only steam distilled water.
Hi see ruclips.net/video/-e1Y9NAWd40/видео.html
l feel a midlife crisis coming on Fred . Be careful the next step is the pipe and slippers next to the fireplace and a glass of sherry just for medicinal purposes lol
+shaun pi Nothing wrong with slippers and sherry buddy. Helps with the joints. Think I will give the pipe a miss though as my dad smoked one many years ago and it stank the house out. LOL
they are are a real steam engine
alsways use recommended burn material or you will ruin the shiny finish...
I have the armatron withougt the peices
I’m 13 years old and I would gladly have this or the steam tractors over a Phone of any sort
Top MAN :-)
fredintheshed1 there is a reason I have a pocket watch well two actually