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1930s GE Downfire Boiler for donation

pamefs
pamefs Member Posts: 11

Bit of nostalgia here. I am still trying to see if there is anyone interested in taking this 1930's classic Downfire GE Boiler for their collection or a museum? We replaced it over a year ago... Yes folks its the original! This thing belongs in a museum. Can't believe i have to give it to scrap! My mother LOVED this furnace. Heated our stately 5 bedroom colonial for over 60 years Anybody interested? I'm hiring a rigging company to remove it at some point and they will dispose of it as they see fit. I'm not trying to save any money here. I'm just trying to preserve a piece of heating history. Please let me know if you or anyone you know might be interested or if you can think of a showroom or museum that might be interested in giving this a new home.. I'm in upstate NY, Catskills. Photos available.
Waher

Comments

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    Maybe @Alan R. Mercurio may want it for the training center/museum. Don't scrap it just yet!

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,218
    Or the General Society. @DanHolohan ?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    pecmsg
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,114
    Steamhead said:
    Or the General Society. @DanHolohan ?
    X-2
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,585
    It would be a nice addition to the collection but we don’t have a way to get it to Manhattan. 
    Retired and loving it.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,218
    @pamefs could the rigging company load it onto a truck for transport to the General Society?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,585
    It would live forever. 
    Retired and loving it.
    Alan (California Radiant) ForbesLarry Weingarten
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 878
    For reference, it looks like this 1930's steel boiler weights in around 1650 pounds as it sits.

    I'd love to have some GE "bling" off of this unit, but I really have no use for the entire boiler.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,114

    It would be a nice addition to the collection but we don’t have a way to get it to Manhattan. 

    Put me in for $100 donation if you want!
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,585
    The weight could be an issue. 
    Retired and loving it.
    Mad Dog_2
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,929
    Back when we manufacture appliances with out a experation date ...

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    EdTheHeaterManSuperTech
  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,497
    Hi @DanHolohan said "The weight could be an issue.". My rough calculation puts it at around 400 pounds per square foot. That's fine for concrete, but it it were on a wooden floor, the weight would likely need to be spread out with a platform, and/or floor framing beefed up. Good catch! ;)

    Yours, Larry
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,585
    Thanks, Larry. We’ll pass, with thanks to all. 
    Retired and loving it.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,929
    Where is the GS located , are they open Saturdays ?

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,218
    Big Ed_4 said:

    Where is the GS located , are they open Saturdays ?

    https://generalsociety.org/
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,929
    Thank You

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  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,062
    How is that boiler 1,600 lbs.? That's the same as 4 Buderus G215- 3 section cast iron boilers. Was it cast in Osmium?
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,390
    I think its something like asbestos cement.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,399
    If I still had the Triple Crown Box 🚚 Truck, I'd be on the NYS Thruway as we speak..Mad Dog 
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,399
    That seems ridiculously heavy...u sure?  Mad Dog 
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,399
    edited April 2023
    I would say the Suffolk County CC would also be interested, but I've had no luck getting through to anyone there. I have several artifacts I wanted to donate to their Heating Museum that  Prof. Eugene Silberstein started.  Left several VMs, emails and spoke to a nice lady, but no returns.  I miss Eugene...Mad Dog
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 878
    Yes, the boiler in the photo weighs 1650.  That includes cabinet, controls, refractory, original burner, etc.  Trust me there are numerous passes and a lot of cutting involved in demolition of these boilers. 
    HVACNUT
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,399
    I believe you. It just looks like 75 Gallon Bock water heater.  Mad Dog