1912 Huber 18-50 Before and After Discussion

This restoration project started February, 2006 and is still ongoing but nearly complete.

This project consisted of the following:

  • Coming home - Purchased in Kansas - October 2003 - Transported by Vern's Implement 
  • In the Beginning - Pictures as it was when I purchased it
  • Disassembly - It is boiler up restoration - This is done - Only had to do some of it twice
  • Machine Work- Gears, shafts, platform, etc. - Vern is a true craftsman
  • Canopy - Building a new canopy - Started but not completed 
  • Restoration - Getting everything ready to put back together - Mostly completed
  • Assembly - Putting it all back together - Moat of the assembly is completed

The following people have contributed to this project and I thank them for their assistance:

  • Nancy Sellers - Spouse
  • Kenny Sellers - Son
  • Vern Watermann - Vern's Implement
  • Margaret Watermann - Vern's Implement
  • William Haun - Friend
  • Jerred Ruble - Friend
  • Brian Patterson - Friend
  • Doug Langenbach - Friend
  • Lawrence Swanz - Swanz Boiler Design and Manufacturing
  • Jim Evans - Friend
  • Daniel Kester - Friend - Kester Precision and Repair
  • Justin Click - Friend - JC Restorations

Here are some of the organizations we used in the restoration process

  • Huber Museum, Marion OH - Provided patterns for grates.
  • Cattail Foundry - Grates
  • Bobbins and Boards, Vinton, IA - Brother and Sister-in-law - Made scallop for canopy
  • Swanz Boiler Design and Manufacturing, Zimmerman, MN - Lug design
  • Cox Designs, Altoona, IA - Parts design, water jet and milling
  • Tim Hildreth Boiler Co., Prole, IA - Parts supplier
  • McMaster Carr - Parts supplier
  • Vern's Implement, Melburne, IA - Machine work, welding and everything else - Talented
  • Menards - Parts and supplies supplier
  • Tarp Mate LLC - Parts design and water jet
  • Kester Precision and Repair - New crank rod bearings

Here is some miscellaneous info (mainly to make sure I do not forget it)

  • Paint colors
    • Turtle Green
      • Brand  Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel
      • Tint base - Professional tint B
      • Colorants
        • Lamp Black - OZ, 48-4
        • Yellow Oxid - OZ-1, 48-4
        • Phthalo Gre - OZ, 48-32
        • Phthalo Blu - OZ, 48-8
    • Sun Yellow
      • Brand - Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch
      • Numbers - Latex Gloss 1945 - P54081
    • International Red
      • Brand - Rest-Oleum
    • Bar-b-que Black
      • Brand - Rust-Oleum High temp.
      • Numbers - 7778-830
  • Canopy
    • ​Cloth - RICHLOOM CABANA STRIPE PRINTED POLY OUTDOOR FABRIC IN RED $8.95 PER YARD from www.FabricGuru.com
    • Metal - Hunter Green flashing rolls and drip edge from Menards