new "old" addition to my tool addiction

[dabar39]

I found an old Miller Bluestar series 1 engine drive on Craigs list today. The guy I got it from is a retired machinist and has a virtual museum in his back yard and sheds, I have never seen so many steam engines in one place before. He's currently building a steam engine powered saw mill. He's also got a 1942 Diamond REO 2 1/2 ton flatbed truck sitting back there that I would love to get my grubby little hands on as well.

Anyways, I did a quick search of the serial number and found that it is a 1977 model with a 16 h.p. Kohler motor. For $200.00 I couldn't pass it up.

Dragged it home, stuck a battery in it and some fuel, hit the switch and starter button and it fired right up. I will have to get a new solenoid for the throttle kick down, I can kick it down by hand but won't do it automatically as it should. I haven't tried to weld with it yet as I have to take the leads from my Bobcat to try it out.

What's your opinion? Think I did good on this one?

[Sberry]

Hard to beat a running machine for 200$

[metal-doctor]

I sure agree with the price. Those old kohlers were used on a lot of grain loaders & were very dependable. Is a fresh coat of Miller blue going to be in the restoration?

[dabar39]

Talked to the original owner a short time ago and was told that he bought it new about 30 years ago and that he also had found a new spare fuel pump for it. He said it was last started about 2 years ago and has low hours for it's age, maybe a 100 or 2. He did tell me everything worked fine on its last use except for the idle solenoid.

I'll hook up a set of leads to it in the morning and if all goes well I will try and find a new set of decals for it and give it a shiny new coat of Miller Blue as well as make a new cart for it. I think it is worth doing a restoration on and will make me a nice little back up welder. Dave

[burninbriar]

Pretty good find!!!
Do you plan to restore it to original condition?
I really like the cart too. I wonder if that was a Miller accessory or a home made addition?

I guess if I waited another minute before posting, my question would have been answered.

[dabar39]

Pretty good find!!!
Do you plan to restore it to original condition?
I really like the cart too. I wonder if that was a Miller accessory or a home made addition?

I guess we posted at the same time.

The cart was home made.

[aametalmaster]

That's a nice find...Bob

[dabar39]

Not only does it start up and run, the electrical outlet works as it should and I ran a few beads with it this afternoon. I'm going to start tearing it down so I get back to looking good again.

[burninbriar]

I look forward to seeing the before and after shots.

[FormerTankSarge]

Wow!

Great find.