Mark Krause

The Nazel was made in 1929 NazelOwners_613685458766809.pdf

Clearspace Masseys being the exception to the rule, Ha! They run on an almost entirely closed system with the only venting to the atmosphere taking place inside the frame. They are even air tight to the extent that if any of the gaskets under the cover plates in the upper part of the frame are compromised, the hammer wont run properly. I would say that one of those fine machines could spend most of its lifetime outdoors and as long as the rust were removed from the ram and the oil supply in the foot was replenished, would function perfectly. I have recently been servicing a Nazel 3B that spent only one winter outdoors and suffered great damage, the Beche is much more similar to a Nazel than a Massey. I've also been working on a 6B that is so stuck from being outside that I haven't been able to remove the heads or valves even after months of soaking and gallons of penetrating oil. It's just a little too large to try to heat up.

The plug above the valve allows access to an airway toward the center top of the valve. If you still haven't gotten it to move, take that out and get some kroil or other good penetrating oil in there. The valve to sleeve fit is very precise and just a little rust or even old hardened oil will stick them. And, self-contained air hammers are NOT water tight and can be easily damaged or even destroyed by being left outside.