Hi Keith,
What a great idea for you and your daughter to start a forum. I thought I'd share a little about the boiler I have been working on if you don't mind. I have been asking you all sorts of questions via YouTube about dementions and fitting sizes etc. etc. I have also been using a book written by K.N. Harris called "Model Boilers and Boiler Making. Anyway, I started off with my boiler by spending a small fortune on copper pipe and sheeting and began forming the boiler ends. The drawing below is the basic design I am going with although I have made several dimensional changes. I only have a couple photos to share, but I'll add some more later on. Thanks again for all of the help you have given me.
Yes, McMaster-Carr has been around for a million years, perhaps longer. I wasn't aware they had metals available. Thanks for the tip.
My grate arrived yesterday! I had it made in three pieces so it could be removed through the fire hole which turned out to be easier said than done.
Thanks for the kind words Peter! I’m getting real close to the hydro test after brazing in the fire hole last night. My fire grate should be here by Friday I hope. I’ll get her dipped in the pickle barrel and cleaned up for some better pictures.
Looks great, I can't wait to see how it performs :-)
I'm having a similar style of boiler built for me in a smaller size, mine will be a 5" dia vertical with 51 fire tubes. I'd love to try making one but at the moment it is beyond my skill level :-(
Peter
I've just about finished the ash pan with the exception of adding some scale looking detail to it. I have posted a couple pictures and short, very badly made video below.
(Below) Milling the ash pan clean out hole.
I've been working on the ash pan for the last few days. I havn't been working from drawings, just kind of making it up as I go, so naturally I have thought a bunch of better ways I should have gone about building this peice. For instance, I could have made the ash pan out of two pieces of cast iron instead of carving it from a giant chunk. Anyway, I posted a few very short videos showing my progress.
Hi Pugsy,
Thanks for the kind words about my boiler. I've asked my wife for a Stuart 9 casting kit for my birthday, so hopefully that's what I'll be running with this boiler. I'll also be adding a small Southworth duplex steam pump to this plant. Just playing really. We'll see where it goes in time.
What will this beast be powering? She looks a sturdy peice of gear, very well made
Thanks Jordan! 61 tubes was plenty LOL.
I have made some more progress with the boiler as you can see with the pictures I posted below. I bought a length of copper rod that was 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch rectangle. After annealing the bar, I shaped it around the firebox to form a ring between the firebox and boiler shell.
Looking great is there not too many tubes though?
Well, I had a minor set back while brazing my fire box to the lower tube sheet. just as the silver started to flow, the fire box moved out of position. After pulling it back off and cleaning it up, I decided to order some copper rivets to hold the fire box in place during the brazing process. Live and learn. Anyway, I've posted a few more pictures.
As my interest in steam leans to the model boat side I have stayed with gas firing and have had very little experience with coal, but I am tempted by some of the small trains.
Hi Gerald,
Yes I do plan to coal fire my boiler. Something about shoveling the coal and the smell of it burning.
There are few rules here in Ontario, but I always build mine to the highest standards.
If you are building an ash pan you are probably going coal fire it ?
no problem
Hi benpadgett,
Yes, McMaster-Carr has been around for a million years, perhaps longer. I wasn't aware they had metals available. Thanks for the tip.
hobbymetalkits.com is the address i think and www.mcmaster.com is the other
you might want to check out mcmaster-carr they have cast iron listed under materials section also check out hobby metal kits they have cast iron as well as other metals in hobby lengths to keep shipping costs down. i have not ordered from them yet but have heard good things so am planning to try them out soon.
Just a quick update......
I checked around and found a local model engineer and live steam enthusiast, and as it turns out, there is no requirement to have my boiler certified in the state I live in. he's been running model steam trains since he was a kid and is now in his late 60s. After a short phone conversation with him, he agreed to inspect my work for safe measure and invited me over to show off his steam locomotives. Just because there is no certification process in my location, doesnt mean I shouldnt build my boiler to a safe standard.