My latest “project” restoring a large vintage steam engine Governor

jackie schmidt

jackie schmidt

New member
I was at Vessel Repair in Port Arthur a couple of weeks ago align boring the shaft lines on a new 90’ push boat.

I went into their office to shoot the bull some and noticed a large steam engine Governor standing in the corner. I asked them where they found the Governor. They said I was the first person to walk in that even knew what it was. I asked what their plans were for it, the yard owner sai he was thinkinking about making a lamp out of it. I inspected it, and it appeared all of the parts were intact. I told him that thing needed to be restored and put on display.

He asked if I wanted it. I asked him how much, he said I could have it.

WoW!

So, I took it, got all of that red paint off, took it all apart to see what need fixing.

The top verticle shaft that mounts the control system was bent. All of the linkage that controls the valve pressure was really loose. The main pulley shaft was rusted pretty bad.

I made a new top shaft, it has a taper that fits into the main body. It is also hollow with brass bushings that supports the main control rod. I also machined a new locking collar for that shaft.

I bead blasted all of the parts, reamed out all of the linkage holes and machined new pins out of some nickel bronze I had. I also machined a new main pulley shaft.

I painted it all with Rustoleum black. I figured that would be a good contrast with the stainless and bronze parts. I then machined a “flat belt” crowned pulley to replace that V belt pulley that just did not belong there.

I reassembled everything.and I think it came out nice. It is back in working order

As best I can tell from research, this Governor was made between 1900 and 1905. The Monarch Governor was a copy of the popular Pickering Governor. Pickering brought a law suite against Monarch for patent infringement. Even though the Monarch was a top tier Governor, they were ordered to cease production. It seems they made their Governors from 1898 to around 1910.

It is now on display in the entrance hall of my house.

Here are some pictures starting from the way I got it to it restored and sitting in my house in all of it’s glory.

My wife is thilled:D

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25335&d=1647476449&thumb=1&stc=1

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25335&d=1647476449&thumb=1&stc=1

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25335&d=1647476449&thumb=1&stc=1

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25335&d=1647476449&thumb=1&stc=1
 

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Nicely done, Jackie. The flat belt pulley is a nice addition....looks great.

One of my childhood pals father worked for the B&N Railroad in their Roundabout Building. The engines would come in and be turned 180 degrees on the turn table floor and then head back out. He used to let us kids sit in the engines as they were rotated. :cool: For whatever reason, one wall in the Roundabout House had a line of those old steam governors all in a row. I seem to remember some of the fly balls being brass?

Good shootin' -Al
 
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Back in the day they used Steam Donkeys for logging in the Pacific Northwest. As their use declined they were often just left out in the woods. I was told it would be hard to find one with a Governor. I guess they are collectable.

Nice work...An enjoyable project.

Mort
 
Absolutely Fascinating!! As Dmort says, they're legendary out here in the hills.... And altho I'd heard steam engines were the origination of the term "Balls To The Walls" I'd never understood it til now!

Thanks Jackie
 
alinwa said:
Absolutely Fascinating!! As Dmort says, they're legendary out here in the hills.... And altho I'd heard steam engines were the origination of the term "Balls To The Walls" I'd never understood it til now!

Thanks Jackie
Click to expand...

Yes thanks for that . I seem to think the phrase had to do with aircraft (multi-engine) throttle levers, just my memory
 
Talking to an older fellow here and brought this up.... and he said "well what did you think "BALLS OUT" meant?"

"Well, ummm, I guess I'm embarrassed to say" was the best I could do :eek:
 
One more piece

I had one more piece that needed to be replaced, simply because there wasn’t much way I could pretty it up. The worm gear and shaft assembly that sets the initial valve pressure on the Governor.

I got a piece of naval brass and machined it. The worm is a 5 pitch lead, 29 degree pressure angle, left hand.

Looks real good and works great.

I think I’m going for “Best in Show”:D:

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25350&d=1647986851&thumb=1&stc=1
 

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Jackie, I would never question your ability as a true craftsman, but after looking at your latest photo for a couple of days...I don't like the brass. To me it doesn't fit the rest of it. What was the original material ?

Honest Mort
 
dmort said:
Jackie, I would never question your ability as a true craftsman, but after looking at your latest photo for a coupleof days...I don't like the brass. To me it doesn't fit the rest of it. What was the original material ?

Honest Mort
Click to expand...

The pins were rusted steel.I chose nickel bronze for looks.

The pressure adjustment worm gear was originally brass. It was pretty rough. Maybe what I made is too pretty.

While I did bring the Governor back to operating condition, I will call it more of a “custom restoration”, as I made the shafts and flat belt pulley from stainless steel for aesthetic appeal.
 
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OK.... (I love this stuff, but aesthetics is subjective :) )

Would it be cool to apply a brass 'aging' colorant and give the brass parts an ancient-bronze looking patina?
 
I'm sure your wife wouldn't mind one in your front yard,or maybe out back somewhere. Some of these engines were mounted on narrow gage flatcars for logging. Not sure how that assembly would pass muster.
On the serious side I don't know how many of these engines you would find in your area.They had other uses than mining and logging so there is a chance you could find one.

Mort
 
jackie schmidt said:
The pins were rusted steel.I chose nickel bronze for looks.

The pressure adjustment worm gear was originally brass. It was pretty rough. Maybe what I made is too pretty.

While I did bring the Governor back to operating condition, I will call it more of a “custom restoration”, as I made the shafts and flat belt pulley from stainless steel for aesthetic appeal.
Click to expand...

The important thing is you enjoyed your project and how it turned out. Nothing else really matters. Opinions are like a..holes.....everybody has one.

Mort
 
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