Help identify old steam engine

[jacks]

A friend came across this old steam engine. Owner wants 1000 for it. Anyone able to recognize the manufacturer? Or any other observations. I am sure it needs total restoration.

 

[Hank ABAB]

Is there supposed to be a picture?

 

[jacks]

Trying photo upload again

 

[Mike M]

Steam engine are worth some crazy high prices. It could be a deal ? I don't know. Looks like it has a broken rod and maybe missing the cylinder or something ?

 

[Patsdeere]

Wow! I wouldn't pay that much until I had a lot more info. I would want a thorough inspection of the boiler and firebox. It's missing the safety, governor, a whistle. It appears to have the rod broken, the stream cylinder is crumpled (inside might still be OK, but don't know). Any non certified work on the boiler would have to be redone/checked by a certified boiler shop, not cheap.

Given all that, it is only a stream engine, not a traction engine (and thus 90% boiler, the expensive to repair part). Steam is cool, but you should know what the heck you are doing and have some money to sink into it.

 

[Dick2]

RUN, don't walk, away from that hunk of steel. Too much risk of an explosion.

 

[Arnold Layne]

I think it's probably a Frick portable, and it's not missing very much, the flywheel and pulley and part of the governor. That big cast finger you see sticking out was a spoke in the flywheel. There are some Frick parts around, but you could probably buy one running for less than it will take to repair the boiler on that one, maybe not, you never know 'til you look. For a grand it would probably be in my yard already.

 

[Chris(WA)]

That is NOT a Steam Engine. At BEST, THAT is Yard Art!
See the advice below.

 

[fordsonjack]

I would think it looked something like the one in this old ad at one time but looks like a lot of parts are missing, not much chance it could ever look like that again without a lot of time and money.

 

[showcrop]

Here is the address for a pictorial about inspecting a Frick

http://www.ctamachinery.com/photo-essays-old-website/restoration-of-a-1902-frick.html

 

[Adirondack case guy]

A pic of the nose cone would identify it. As others have said, it is deteriorated beyond being a restoration project.
Loren, the Acg.

 

[T.R.K.]

O.K. Everyone else says its either junk or 'yard art'. (whatever that is.)

I'm going to go against the grain. Nobody is making any of those any more. But the real question is not the purchase cost, but how much $ are you willing to spend to see it run again one day? I have even heard of restorers commissioning the construction of a totally new boiler to make a steamer run again.

If you are really serious about it, I would get someone familar with boiler inspection in your state to look at it.

The engine on top of the boiler can probably be made to run again if its cleaned up pretty well.

Down here in NC, the owners of Denton Farm Park have cosmetically restored several similar engines located at the entrances of the park and also a sign hangs on one in downtown Denton.

 

[fixerupper]

It looks like a boiler with a few parts still attached.