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Soldered terne metal roofs
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36820
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Author:  Randy Hees [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:30 am ]
Post subject:  Soldered terne metal roofs

I need to install a terne metal roof on a narrow gauge passenger car. At one point in the past lead or tin washed steel was available from Follansbee Steel, but I understand they have shut down.

What is available currently?

Randy

Author:  RDGRAILFAN [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

http://www.eastwood.com/body-soldering- ... -pack.html

Eastwood automotive still offers 30% tin, 70% lead in stick format. Not sure if this meets your requirements but they sell the tools and butter to apply lead also.

I have used the soder pots / lead in many auto restorations, flows nice but not for the novice.

Author:  Randy Hees [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

The solder is easy... it is the sheet metal I need. Real terne is a soft sheet iron/steel, with a lead or tin wash. The last known manufacture seems to have shut down. I am looking for alternatives.

I have heard that there is a lead/tin washed stainless, but 1) I haven't found a source, and 2) I have heard that it is stiffer/harder and so seams don't lay down as well.

I suspect I could use copper since it is painted after installation.

Randy

Author:  David Johnston [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Randy, the last soldered terne metal roofs installed that I am aware were either Milwaukee Lake Shore and Western 63, Copper Range 25 or Copper Range 60, all at Mid Continent Railway Museum. You may need to either give Glenn Guerra or the Mid Continent people a call.

Author:  rock island lines [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

A splendid terne roof restoration performed at the NW Railway Museum (Snoqualmie, WA):

http://trainmuseum.blogspot.com/2012/06 ... -roof.html

Author:  Joe Magruder [ Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

My search suggests that Follansbee Steel has been sold to Revere Copper and that at least the stainless steel version is available. see: http://www.constructionmagnet.com/metal ... ating-line

Author:  Randy Hees [ Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Thank you Joe, that is what I was looking for... the older Follinsby product was used by Mid Continent and Northwest Railroad Museum projects...

I have heard criticism of the lead washed stainless product. Part of the installation involves hammering down the seams before soldering... the stainless is stiffer... I am hoping for a thinner product to make it more malleable and so allowing proper flat seams... I am also considering using lead washed copper... we are painting the roof, so copper might be an acceptable substitution.

Randy

Author:  dave crow [ Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Randy,

The WW&F Ry Museum in Alna, Maine installed a metal roof on creamery car #65 it built several years ago.

Stewart (Start) Rhine: can you jump in with an answer?

Dave Crow

Author:  b. barry [ Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Here's a couple shots WW&F # 65's roof. I'll ask tonight or tomorrow at the railroad where the roof material was sourced from.

Brendan

Image

Image

Author:  Randy Hees [ Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

It appears that the two current options are zinc coated stainless steel or zinc coated copper. Reports are that the stainless is too stiff and seams don't lay down well...

I am currently concerning the zinc/copper material... I suspect that terne was used 120 years ago because it was cheaper than copper, and with limited use, copper is no longer more expensive, that while the stainless might last longer and work well for standing seams, it just doesn't cut it for rolled flat seams... today copper will act more like terne... and since we are painting it will look the same.

Thoughts? (work on several of the cars will be based on Secretary of Interiors standards for historic buildings...)

Randy

Author:  Dave [ Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

I think you will find the copper based terne to be more easily applied and equally robust as the stainless, if not moreso. The only difference might be in the event of some projectile penetrating the roof itself, copper being a bit softer than stainless. Soldered repairs are not a problem with either.

dave

Author:  kemcclure [ Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

If you can accept copper, my architect/roofing nerd wife asked if you have found these folks:

http://www.camlee.com/products/industri ... -products/

Note the "lead coated" roof sheet product.

The University of Illinois has purchased the lead-coated sheet for dormer roofs on the main Library, but it was something over a year ago. The U of I is using the lead coated product for its historical appearance as well.

Kent

Author:  David Johnston [ Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Randy, since the pieces are fairly small, have you considered coating the mild steel your self?

Author:  Randy Hees [ Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

Dave,

I am not sure I am prepared to coat my own material... I suspect that the architectural community has a solution, acceptable to those enforcing Secretary of Interior's standards and guidelines, and I am trying to piggyback on that.

This is likely not a problem unique to the railroad preservation community.

Randy

Author:  b. barry [ Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soldered terne metal roofs

I was told today that the roofs on the caboose and dairy car at the WW&Fry are galvanized steel.

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