I picked up a prewar Lionel 224E that has mechanical/electrical issues as well as cosmetic issues. In addition to a lot of scuffs, and missing rhinestones, one of the front steps is bent upward at the corner by 1/16"+. I know I could leave it alone, repaint the steam box along with the rest of the shell and call it good, but I'm tempted to try straightening it. As a kid almost 70 years ago, I broke steps off but I've never tried to straighten a bent one. Is it worth a shot and how should I attempt it?
Thanks, swede
My experience is that you will break them off. But if you are repainting, you can always try it and glue them back on when they break.
As I understand it it CAN be done, but it's best done by restoration experts. I believe it involves heating the metal almost to melting point and then doing the straigtening.
Is it worth the expense? That's up to you. Personally as long as the locomotive runs those "battle scars" wouldn't concern me. I'd just repaint if that's what you want to do and let it go at that.
If it's zinc, it's malleable between 100 and 150 C and brittle both below and above that temperature. It melts at 420 C.
Bob Nelson
My question is have you Checked with Jeff at traintender ( www.TTender.com ) to see if he might have that part
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
From personal experience trying to straighten part of the shell of a Lionel 2026 loco, the piece broke off - this was also decades ago. Never tried to bend the shell again, but when the cow catcher recently broke off, I asked for assistance on a train forum and was advised to use JB Weld, and epoxy glue. I did and it worked great. So I would not try to bend your shell, but if any part of it ever breaks, JB Weld is the answer.
Michael Pags
Sounds like it is only a slight bend. You probably could bent it back, but I would not take the chance.
Thanks to all for your comments. Think I will purposely make a small bend on some old shell and see if can successfully straighten it before working on the 224. I know it is possible to find a replacement steam box from Jeff, others, or on ebay, but I don't think it is worth making a $25 -$30 investment. As a note, I don't think this casting is zinc, based on its weight.
swede
You might put the part in the oven at 300 degrees F, which is the upper end of the malleability temperature range, then try to do the bending quickly before it cools to 212 F.
Thanks, Bob. I will try that and report.
I can't visualize exactly where you are referring to from your description. I would not heat it up, but rather try a slow process using a clamp, and possibly a small piece of wood. If you know what the 1688 torpedo looks like, the rear steps below the cab have a tendency to bend inward if dropped without breaking. The process to get it back straight was to set the outside of the shell against a piece of wood, and place a small clamp inside the bent step, and the outside of the wood piece. Tighten the clamp very slowly, to start putting pressure against the bend. Stop, and let it sit for a day. Take another turn on the clamp, and let it sit. Do this, until it is straight enough, and remove the clamp. If done in a slow process, it will go back to original shape, without breaking. If you can visualize what I described, and have the room to do it, I would try that first. Any quick action, even with heating would surely break.
Just my $.02 for a suggestion
Teledoc, I did not see your post until this AM and last night, I did try Bob's suggestion and heated the steamchest in the oven. After about 10 minutes in the oven at about 225 degrees, I removed the chest, securely grabbing it at its back using a pair of channel lock pliers. Still holding it with the pliers, I set it on a work table with the bent step extended beyond the table edge. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, I grabbed the bent step and attempted to reposition it. It did not want to rebend with the force I felt comfortable using so I quit, put the chest back in the oven for another 15 minutes or so and retried. This time, I did get some movement and called it good. The "hopefully" attached photo shows the result. The step that was bent is the one on the right.
Thanks for posting that!
I puzzled over which of the various steps in your photograph was the one that was bent. Until I realized that, if I can't tell, it doesn't matter! I'm very glad it worked out for you.
I think I would have gone all the way up to 300 F, just to be sure the metal was in the malleable region as it began to cool down; but I can't argue with your success at the lower temperature.
If I ever attempt this again, I will increase the temp to 300. In an earlier post, I indicated I would try this out on a different shell, but did not do that. I will, on a bigger bend, just for an experiment.
The bent step is the one on the right side of the photo.
Good job! I'd never know it was bent if you hadn't pointed it out, and even now it's hard to tell.
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