straightening steamer cab roof

[Anonymous]

I have a Lionel 765 steamer which I would like to restore. It was dropped at some point and the cab rood was folded down about 1/4" on the corner. What is the best way to fix this. I am worried about cracking. I would also like to repaint it. It has been decorated with model paints and I would like to know what is the best way to remove the old paint.

[Roger Bielen]

There was an article on this subject in either CTT or OGR within the last 2 years. You can check their online indexes and see what you can find.

I don't remember the details but I believe it involved making a wood block shaped for the cab roof and gentle heating and reforming.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

[#ditto] read the same article and they used a block of wood and a plumbers tank , in the article it worked out well.Lots of luck and tell us how it worked out

[Anonymous]

adamdinat,

That bend is fixable.
I've read the same article as the other guys as well as some others.
Only one thing to remember- GO SLOW GO SLOW
The key factor in all this is to allow the metal to relax. It would be real easy to end up with a two part problem that would then need epoxy.
You can use a hair dryer set on high or a propane toch (which is faster) heat the area and bend the cab roof upward JUST A LITTLE, allow it to cool, not just an hour but a day or two. The metal has been stretched and stressed. Heat it a little more, bend it and let it cool. Repeat as needed.
Rich

[Anonymous]

Thanks,

With some paint and cleaning of the mechanism this will be a nice piece.

[wrmcclellan]

The Nov 2005 issue of CTT has a good article on strightening a cab roof.

As stated - go gradually and slow. The die castings break very easily.

BTW - to remove the paint, since this is all metal you can use a paint remover. Make sure you clean it very well when it is stripped.

Regards,
Roy