July 2001
PARAFFINALIA No 11
Hello All!
Saying of the month: Way back in September
last year in our newsletter No 3, I wrote that the difference between men
and boys was the weight of their toys, as quoted by Hendrik
van der Berg in Douglas. I also asked whether anybody could beat
the claim of a person who wrote in from Sweden, who has 80 engines with
a combined weight of 80 tons. Well Paul Evans has,
and can prove it, because he has recently moved from the Isle of Man to
South Wales, with all his toys. The list is impressive, as he reports:
The first load came out at 22.5 tons, this
is the one that has a problem. Apparently the Crossley VOE on its trolley
has gone through the deck of the trailer. A few other bits have caused bulges.
The second load was 25.5 tons, third 22 tons and the last 21.5 tons. The two big diesel road-rollers have yet to leave the Island, they weigh 8 and 12 tons. 2 tons came on the trailer behind the car making a total of 113.5 tons. Oh, plus the 40 foot box trailer we used to move the house and workshop gear which was carrying 14 tons so that makes 127.5 tons. Beat that! His website, www.semidiesel.com now has a lot more material on it in the line of parts lists and manuals, so visit the site and see whether there isn't information on your toy, whatever it weighs! He does the service free of charge, and would appreciate photocopies of any manuals you might have which do not appear in his lists.
The second load was 25.5 tons, third 22 tons and the last 21.5 tons. The two big diesel road-rollers have yet to leave the Island, they weigh 8 and 12 tons. 2 tons came on the trailer behind the car making a total of 113.5 tons. Oh, plus the 40 foot box trailer we used to move the house and workshop gear which was carrying 14 tons so that makes 127.5 tons. Beat that! His website, www.semidiesel.com now has a lot more material on it in the line of parts lists and manuals, so visit the site and see whether there isn't information on your toy, whatever it weighs! He does the service free of charge, and would appreciate photocopies of any manuals you might have which do not appear in his lists.
WINTER WARM-UP. 
This has been the big happening since the last newsletter, and nearly didn't
come off at all, on account of the pouring rain. Philip Gray-Taylor
has been calling it the Winter Wash-out, and Derek Rayner
of Old Glory Magazine called it a mud bath, judging from the photographs.
However, the weather did clear later, and as nobody had packed up and gone
home, off came the covers, and one by one, the engines came to life, and
people, exhibitors and public, started enjoying themselves. It was particularly
pleasing to see lots of new members there, as well as many of the stalwarts,
some of whom had come a long way. At the risk of leaving anybody out, I
would like to thank Derick Kleynhans for coming from Heidelberg,
Johnny & Pieter Verreynne and Abraham
Joubert from Montagu and beyond, Johan Stemmet
from Robertson, John McGregor from Worcester, Peter
Gildenhuys from Eendekuil, and Hermann Geldenhuys
from Caledon. Thanks must also be passed on to Johan Stemmet
for bringing my Electric Light Machine on one of his trucks from Constantia,
where it had been since the last show, and to Arthur Wilding
for clearing his place up and building two toilets, which will be useful
on future occasions, and for allowing us to use his place in the first place.
Pity the water hose didn't quite reach the engine area! The standard
of engine and driven equipment was impressive, many being seen in public
for the first time. Wolseley engines seemed to be well represented, and
as usual, quite a few Fairbanks Morse, Rustons and Listers. Many visitors
enjoyed seeing Arthur's collection for the first time. We didn't make a
tally, as some things did stay under wraps all day. The Early Ford Club
was well represented, although they had to leave their cars outside on the
edge of the road, making an impressive sight, and bringing more casual visitors
in. Braam Du Toit and Lionel Back are
to be thanked there, and we hope they will turn out in bigger numbers next
time. Unfortunately the weather was not good enough for Harvey Metcalf
to bring the 1901 Benz on the back of Lyn Ward's Chev lorry,
as planned, but Lyn came along without it anyway. Nico Lubbe
made a video of the proceedings lasting about 45 minutes. Give him a ring
on (021) 913 1380, and I'm sure he'll make a copy for you, so you can watch
the activities without having to get wet! Let's hope for better weather
next year.
NEWS: Dries and Mynhardt Mulder have written to say that they have collected the Fairbanks Morse engines from Julian Melck, and are busy with their restoration at their home workshop. We look forward to hearing about progress.
This has been the big happening since the last newsletter, and nearly didn't
come off at all, on account of the pouring rain. Philip Gray-Taylor
has been calling it the Winter Wash-out, and Derek Rayner
of Old Glory Magazine called it a mud bath, judging from the photographs.
However, the weather did clear later, and as nobody had packed up and gone
home, off came the covers, and one by one, the engines came to life, and
people, exhibitors and public, started enjoying themselves. It was particularly
pleasing to see lots of new members there, as well as many of the stalwarts,
some of whom had come a long way. At the risk of leaving anybody out, I
would like to thank Derick Kleynhans for coming from Heidelberg,
Johnny & Pieter Verreynne and Abraham
Joubert from Montagu and beyond, Johan Stemmet
from Robertson, John McGregor from Worcester, Peter
Gildenhuys from Eendekuil, and Hermann Geldenhuys
from Caledon. Thanks must also be passed on to Johan Stemmet
for bringing my Electric Light Machine on one of his trucks from Constantia,
where it had been since the last show, and to Arthur Wilding
for clearing his place up and building two toilets, which will be useful
on future occasions, and for allowing us to use his place in the first place.
Pity the water hose didn't quite reach the engine area! The standard
of engine and driven equipment was impressive, many being seen in public
for the first time. Wolseley engines seemed to be well represented, and
as usual, quite a few Fairbanks Morse, Rustons and Listers. Many visitors
enjoyed seeing Arthur's collection for the first time. We didn't make a
tally, as some things did stay under wraps all day. The Early Ford Club
was well represented, although they had to leave their cars outside on the
edge of the road, making an impressive sight, and bringing more casual visitors
in. Braam Du Toit and Lionel Back are
to be thanked there, and we hope they will turn out in bigger numbers next
time. Unfortunately the weather was not good enough for Harvey Metcalf
to bring the 1901 Benz on the back of Lyn Ward's Chev lorry,
as planned, but Lyn came along without it anyway. Nico Lubbe
made a video of the proceedings lasting about 45 minutes. Give him a ring
on (021) 913 1380, and I'm sure he'll make a copy for you, so you can watch
the activities without having to get wet! Let's hope for better weather
next year.NEWS: Dries and Mynhardt Mulder have written to say that they have collected the Fairbanks Morse engines from Julian Melck, and are busy with their restoration at their home workshop. We look forward to hearing about progress.
Mike Thurgood has reminded
me that he has constructed yet another hot air engine, this time a hot air
fan. It is based on the Heinrici gamma type of hot air engine, ie with the
power and displacer cylinders working on separate axes. The hot air fan
is air cooled this time - you can't risk flooding your dining room table
in the middle of a meal! When it has reached its temperature equilibrium
- with a simple meths burner - it runs at about 360 rpm with a 300 mm diameter
fan blade. This fan was going flat out, outside, in the unpleasant
weather of the Winter Warm-up.Mike is also in the
process of reconstructing a vertical steam engine that was recently given
to him by Edward Fox. It was originally constructed as
an unknown Technikon engineering student's exercise, but the cylinder and
piston were made from mild steel, so it wouldn't ever have lasted long without
seriously rusting. Major replacement components have been cast in bronze. It
was only worth the effort of remodeling because other parts, such as
the A-frame, were well made. We look forward to seeing it at a show soon.
Perhaps one of us should think of fitting a vintage compressor to one of
our engines to power it with! 
Edward also asked me to rescue two full sized
steam engines which he had rescued from the melting pot about 16 years ago,
and have been standing outside in the playground at the Waldorf School in
Constantia ever since. One is a Sissons single cylinder close coupled to
a DC Generator, the other a twin cylinder MacGregor Steam Steering Engine.
Both came off a steam tug which Edward watched being cut up. I can report
that this last is completely stripped, and being cleaned up at the
moment. See right:
Chris Dry from Hazyview has
written to say that he's well advanced with the restoration of his Blackstone.
He says that the engine was in good condition when he got it, so the restoration
should go easily. He says he knows why they are called Blackstone,
he says that after cleaning the engine, everything is black, him, his apprentice,
his workshop, the works!
Johan & Pierre Bruwer from Ashton have
started the restoration of their Ruston & Hornsby 6X HR, which was featured
in the UK Stationary Engine Magazine in February last year. They have
asked me to help with the governor, fuel pump and sideshaft assembly, and
things are coming together well. Although the engine has always been inside,
at some stage the roof leaked and water got into the governor housing. The links
and rods in the governor were not a pretty sight.
I suspect that this will also be the case when Stephan Hugo from Worcester opens up his 5X HR, which has been flooded many times by the Breede River. I went to see it recently and suggested that he and Jaco Wessels bring the engine in to the workshop before it floods any more. Stephan says that in his father's day, the engine was cleaned up and got running immediately after it was flooded, but they haven't done that for a long time, and the engine has now seized. See right:
Disturbing news comes from Alwyn Bruwer from Robertson to say that his 2X HR has been vandalised. We went to see it a few months ago, and it was in very good order, even though the roof was off its shed. It is to appear in an issue of Stationary Engine Magazine soon. Perhaps Alwyn should bring his one in also!
Reports from Johan Stemmet
in Robertson, in connection with the Ruston & Hornsby 3X HR of Deon
Jordaan, have the engine running, although it was a battle to sort
out problems in the governor and fuel pump before it would run, even cranking
it with a tractor and pulley.
Also on the Ruston & Hornsby front, Flip Viljoen from Villiersdorp reports that he has found a 2Y HR, and a 3Y HR. He has them at his yard, and they are a long way towards being fully restored. Oom Flip and his team don't hang around!
Derick Kleynhans from Heidelberg has been finding engines almost on a weekly basis, one is a B&L, a small open crank, with a plate which reads 'Made in Occupied Japan'. See right: He has been collecting Listers also and has now most of the models, it seems! His latest is a Lister L, from about 1935. The L was later developed into the CS Diesel 3/1, 5/1, 6/1 range.
Hendrik van der Berg in Douglas has written
to report that since the last newsletter, he has completed not only his Crossley
1030, but also a Bamford SGAK3, 5HP @ 500RPM. His whole collection can be viewed
at his website:
Pete Hundy from Clanwilliam is in the UK at the moment, and we are hoping that he will be able to visit the Anson Museum in Poynton, Manchester. The good news from there is that the Police have recovered two of the engines which were stolen from the museum about a year ago, and they are hoping that their inquiries will lead to the recovery of the rest. The museum has many very valuable rare engines, and it seems that the thief knew exactly what to take!
The latest issue of Stationary Engine Magazine has a reply to the request for information which Philip Gray-Taylor sent in in connection with his A Wafflard, Liege, engine. The reply came from well known collector, Kees Fitters, from the Netherlands. He has sent in pictures from a brochure which he has, but says he has never seen one in the flesh! He thinks Philip has a rare beast indeed.See right:
Abraham Joubert from Montagu reports that
he has nearly got his Deville engine going. It was featured in the Stationary
Engine Magazine of November 1999. He is concerned about the lubrication
for the rockers, and wonders whether there is supposed to be a force feed
supply, grease cups, or whether one is meant to remove the tappet cover
(which comes off easily) and apply oil periodically. Can anybody help?
Louis Boshoff has written from Pretoria with
a novel idea for re-magnetising a Wico EK magneto, without needing a magnetiser.
It's not very complicated, but it requires a capacitor and a 40V DC power
source. Moreover, he has proved that it works! He is now getting a nice healthy
blue spark over a 2mm gap, where he had none before. For details, contact
him on his Cell phone, 083 591 1419, or zr6aem@cis.co.za., or I will pass on a copy or what he has sent me.
Australian News: 
Weekly reports are coming in from Peter Ogborne of the
Machinery Preservation Society of Western Australia, on progress on their
Trusty Engine. The engine is more or less completely stripped, and the crankshaft
has been ground. The vapour valve cage broke while they were removing it,
no problem, a pattern has been made, and a new one cast! They sent in a
photo of their club's premises at Midland in a deserted railway workshop.
I had in mind a corrugated iron shed, as we would expect here. Not a chance!
See right:
Weekly reports are coming in from Peter Ogborne of the
Machinery Preservation Society of Western Australia, on progress on their
Trusty Engine. The engine is more or less completely stripped, and the crankshaft
has been ground. The vapour valve cage broke while they were removing it,
no problem, a pattern has been made, and a new one cast! They sent in a
photo of their club's premises at Midland in a deserted railway workshop.
I had in mind a corrugated iron shed, as we would expect here. Not a chance!
See right:Karen Collins wrote in the other day from
Esperance, on the south coast of Western Australia, on behalf of her husband
Alex, and father in law Jack, who are
members of the Esperance Engine Restoration Group. They have a website
where you can view their toys at www.dreamwater.com/melsetter/Engines/Collins.html
We're expecting a visit any day from Brian Arton,
from Moree, NSW. I hope we can show him a few interesting things while he's
here. He's also hoping to catch up with fellow members, Dave and
William Evans, André Du Toit and Mike
Sparg , some of whom he was at school with!
USA News.
Bob Lemmert from Cumberland, Maryland, who wrote in
to Gas Engine Magazine about his Hardie animal-drawn Spray Machine like
the one that I am busy with, has written in to say that he has just acquired
a 1949 John Deere MC Crawler, the 607th to have been built in '49. They
were built from '49 to '52. See right: It is
in such good condition that he was able to take it straight to their week-long
County Fair, along with his Ford Model A tractor.New Members.(Remember, membership involves
opening and reading the newsletter only, no rules, no subs!) Linda
Jones from Caledon is the organiser of the Caledon Spring
Festival/Lentefees responsible for our activities. (see What's On below) Philip
and I spent a pleasant hour or two at the farm of Tobie Mostert,
in Philadelphia (Cape! for you members across the Pond!) He has lots of
Lanz tractors which he still uses, and a lovely collection of equipment
and tools exactly as his father, grandfather, etc last used them. The visit
was like stepping back in time, yet there's an up-to-date farm running around
it! He is the brother in law of Schalk Du Plessis, who
is also keen on old machinery and can be contacted for your (ancient or
modern) diesel fuel injection problems on (021) 931 8151, or dupdiesel@mweb.co.za. Alf Heiberg works near here, and has a
lot of experience with old machinery, and knows of some old Allen engines
which might be up for grabs. Cobus Thesnaar contacted me
asking to be included on the circulation list. He's got an engineering background,
and is currently working on an old BSA motorbike. It was nice to meet him
at the Winter Warm-up. Denis Usher has roped in his partner
in his 4WD shop/workshop in Hermanus, Calvin Hutton. He
has an old Petters. Louis Boshoff wrote in from Pretoria.
He's with the Highveld Tractor & Engine Club.
It's great to know that we are reaching further afield all the time. He
helped Chris Dry from Hazyview, find a magneto at
last for his Ruston & Hornsby PB, and introduced him to Neels
Booysens, who helped Chris find a Crossley PH 1050 at a scrapyard.
Yuri Peila brought along a visitor a while ago, Bill
Mitchell, from Riebeek Kasteel, (that is when he's not on long
leave to Ireland, which is where he is now). He's a fund of information,
has many tractor and engine restorations under his belt, and was amazed
to see here a Fordson Half-track by Roadless, which I look after. He says
he owns the only one in the whole of Ireland and here he finds one in Elgin!
Then there's the Esperance Engine Restoration Group,
see Australian News above. Mike Sparg from Villiersdorp
enjoyed the Winter Warm-up so much, he wants to 'sign up'. Hennie
Smal runs our local S&S Engine Rebuilders, and is prepared
to go to that much more trouble to help with old engines than most
rebuilders. He's busy with a Lister D for himself in slack time at
work. Welcome all!
Tractor & Engine Club We
had a meeting again at Kleinplasie recently, to confirm details of this
year's Brandvlei Show. Arthur Wilding has been appointed
judge for the Stationary Engines, and as we don't take that sort of thing
seriously, we'll issue him with a set of straws to ensure impartiality!
More importantly, next year's Big Show was discussed, scheduled for 8th,
9th, and 10th August 2002, at Kleinplasie itself. We selected an area for
the Stationary Engines, under trees near the grandstand, but far away enough
from the public address system for our noise not to be a nuisance. All the
tractors are going to be arranged by make, in date order, ending in a commercial
stand of the current distributors of that make. We are looking for a sponsor,
perhaps a distributor of stationary engines to be near us. Has anybody got
any suggestions?
For Sale / Available:
Remember, Philip Gray-Taylor has a good selection of engine transfers, as advertised in Stationary Engine Magazine, and he can also supply stickers of the official shape Ruston, in gold, in any length. They came out in 7", and 9".
If anyone out there knows of any commercially
manufactured hot air engines going, in any condition, please contact Mike
Thurgood on (021) 552-6634, or mikethurgood@yebo.co.za.
Remember, Philip Gray-Taylor has a good selection of engine transfers, as advertised in Stationary Engine Magazine, and he can also supply stickers of the official shape Ruston, in gold, in any length. They came out in 7", and 9".
Special offer Lister D transfers
@ R30 postage paid in R.S.A. See right:
He also has a locally-developed type of flat-belt
fastener which you break off the length you need accorcing to the width
of your belt, and hammer it down on a flat surface, or squeeze it with a
G-clamp. Ideal for the rally-field! Contact him on (021) 552 3247, or ptaylor@worldonline.co.za.
Wanted: Philip Gray-Taylor is looking
for a flywheel for an early Norman two cylinder opposed engine with the fins
for cooling cast into the wheel, and tapered boss. He is also is desperate
for a Wico EK magneto, in any condition, so that he can tackle the Massey
Harris engine he got from Christie van der Westhuizen.
Just to be difficult, he's now looking for a Carb for his rare A Wafflard
engine mentioned above, which Kees Fitters says should be a 'Longuemare'.
No harm in asking!
Chris Dry is desperately looking for parts for his 1962 Mercedes truck, Model LK332. He is particularly looking for the cab marker lights, badge and grille. Perhaps a bumper also. He'd also appreciate a manual or any technical info on it. He's also looking for a Carb and a Magneto for the Crossley PH 1050, 7 BHP, 550 RPM mentioned above.
Chris Dry is desperately looking for parts for his 1962 Mercedes truck, Model LK332. He is particularly looking for the cab marker lights, badge and grille. Perhaps a bumper also. He'd also appreciate a manual or any technical info on it. He's also looking for a Carb and a Magneto for the Crossley PH 1050, 7 BHP, 550 RPM mentioned above.
Directory of Services.
Hermann Geldenhuys would like to draw up a list of suppliers of goods and services to our hobby. We have already mentioned that Ingram at the firm Ian Dickie is helpful in supplying new Lister and other makes of Stationary Engine spares. Above, I have mentioned that Schalk at Dupdiesel may be able to help out on your diesel fuel injection problems. Fowkes Brothers in Cape Town sell a two pack product that seals off the insides of fuel tanks effectively, Johan Ryke here in Grabouw will cut a new glass for your gauge in any shape, Hennie Smal from S&S Enjinherbouers at (021) 859 5024 also here in the village is prepared to help with our old toys, and so it goes on..... Please contact him with your favourite supplier's details, and he'll add it to the list. Please contact Hermann on his home number after hours at (028) 212 3304, or geldenhj@telkom.co.za
Hermann Geldenhuys would like to draw up a list of suppliers of goods and services to our hobby. We have already mentioned that Ingram at the firm Ian Dickie is helpful in supplying new Lister and other makes of Stationary Engine spares. Above, I have mentioned that Schalk at Dupdiesel may be able to help out on your diesel fuel injection problems. Fowkes Brothers in Cape Town sell a two pack product that seals off the insides of fuel tanks effectively, Johan Ryke here in Grabouw will cut a new glass for your gauge in any shape, Hennie Smal from S&S Enjinherbouers at (021) 859 5024 also here in the village is prepared to help with our old toys, and so it goes on..... Please contact him with your favourite supplier's details, and he'll add it to the list. Please contact Hermann on his home number after hours at (028) 212 3304, or geldenhj@telkom.co.za
What's On:
Saturday 28th July. Veteran Engine Day in
Potchefstroom. If you're in that area then why not give Koos Kriel a ring
on (018) 290 5987 for directions. From 8am 'till as late as you like. He'll
have pap en sous, and braai fires going for whenever you like,
so bring an engine and a piece of boerewors, and enjoy yourself!
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th August, 2001. Groot Skou at Brandvlei Prison Farm. (Thursday 9th is a public holiday, Women's Day, so businesses might be happy to give the Friday off in lieu)
Saturday 25th August. Piketberg Show. Please
support Peter Gildenhuys, he came all the way to the Winter
Warm-up! Last year, a few of our members were there, let's make it more this
year.
?? th September, 2001. Heidelberg Museum, Open Day, Please bring along something to make a noise, and show how things were done in the old days. Please support this, as Derick takes the trouble to come all the way to our shows!
7th to 10th September, 2001. Are the dates of the Caledon Spring Festival/Lentefees. Hermann Geldenhuys and Tizzie have suggested that we attend with some engines and machines, in the vicinity of the Ransomes Portable and Threshing drum. We are most welcome to be there on the Saturday, when there will be floats, Drompoppies, the works, going right past us. For those who may want to come along but are not interested in engines, the main flower show is right opposite. Linda Jones is our contact there, on (028) 212 2505, or linda@parkland.co.za
Friday 19th & Saturday 20th October, 2001 Villiersdorp Show. A special field has been set aside and will be planted, for harvesting in the old-fashioned way. The whole accent of the vintage section of this show will be on working exhibits.
Early November 2001 Bien Donne Show!
Please remember your name-tags, even if you are just coming along as a spectator! (I have made a whole lot more, and will give them out whenever I first see you, so turn up and claim it!)
Andy Selfe, Sec. (021)8592430 (home & manual fax) e-mail aselfe@mweb.co.za