Old Steamers

[gna]

I'd try gripping it with pliers or channel locks, and maybe give it a twist while pulling. That'll probably mar the brass somewhat, but a file and perhaps a little filler (solder would work well for the latter) should get it looking good again.

Wayne

You were correct--a plier and twist pulled it out with minimal damage:

   

So it looks like they had a dimple for the hole but simply missed with the drill. So now I have to try and fill the hole. Styrene, solder, brass rod, JB Weld... whatever I pick, it will need to get partially drilled out.

Gary, after my post about the K4 cylinder chest I had to go down to the workroom to verify if I was remembering things correctly. Here's what I found...

The first cylinder chest I came across was in my parts box and it did not have the brass bushings, but is a K4/L1 cylinder chest.


Which made me look at a K4 kit I have down in the workroom. This one had the bushing.


So, I checked out all my Mikados, but none of them had the bushing. But the cylinder chests are identical. So, I looked at one more K4 I have. This time no bushing???


Conclusion(maybe): I believe in the early 90's Bowser retooled they're castings (at least this should be true with they're boilers) to make them more prototypical and maybe the bushing represents a feature on a real K4. The cylinder chest you have maybe of a newer product run. On a Bowser I1 kit I have in the workroom I noticed the bushing on it's cylinder chest, and I know this kit is from the 90's. Other thought, maybe the bushings were installed on fouled castings of the cylinder chests. To replace a inaccurate hole. I understand this is less likely, but just a thought.


As far as removing the bushing, can you work at the bushing maybe with a pair of side cutters...Gently working and prying the bushing out. Worth a shot.

Thanks for the info. I'm puzzled. This kit has a brass frame and a lead boiler, which I think means it's an older kit. The instructions are wordy, with almost no pictures:

   

There's no date on them , but I'm guessing it's from the ''80s or even the 70s.