Vertical boiler project

I have added a couple more pictures of my progress. It's coming right along. Keith, I know you don't build boilers but perhaps you can answer one question. I have read where people use silver with different melting temperatures, starting with the highest temperature first and using lower melting temperatures as they progress. Is this absolutely necessary, or can I use one type of silver? I know the reasoning is so you don't melt the section you brazed during a previous operation but.......

Silver Solder usually requires a higher heat to remelt a joint then the initial melt, so you might get away with one type. If I was doing your boiler I would use two different melting temperature solders.

Thanks for the reply Gerald!

As per the recommendation of Gerald, I have decided to use silver with different melting temperatures for my boiler. I used "Silvaloy 450" which has a melting point of 665c for the first brazing operation and I will have to pick up something else for the second brazing operation. I'm considering "Safety-Silv 15" which is "Silfos" for the second brazing operation and it melts at 643c. Any comments on this?

Having 61 fire tubes made keeping everything lined up quite the chore. I hope it all comes out ok. Anyway, I posted a couple more pictures....

P.S. Don't worry about the missing fingers. I didn't need them anyway ;)

It looks like you have good joints there, as for the Sil-Fos 15 I would check with whoever is going to issue you a boiler certificate. It is now a good time to have them take a look at the joints before they are sealed in. Personally I would stick with one of the Silvaloy types possibly the Easy Flow 45 or the 560.

Thanks Gerald. I did have one tube that I missed but was able to re-flux the entire surface and hit that tube without any harm to the other joints. I just finished flipping it over and brazed up the other side. Next step is to square up my boiler shell and fire box, but before I continue I will look into having the completed work inspected. I live in the states so I'm not sure about the laws concerning boilers here but I better check.

I'm waiting for a reply back from Blackgates Engineering concerning a chunk of cast iron round I need for the ash pan. I guess they had to special order it for me. I'm jealous that Keith is close enough to drive over there. There is no good sources of model engineering supplies in the states (at least none I am aware of) so I order most everything from the UK.

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.

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.

hobbymetalkits.com is the address i think and www.mcmaster.com is the other

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.

no problem

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 ?

Hi Gerald,

Yes I do plan to coal fire my boiler. Something about shoveling the coal and the smell of it burning.

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.

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.

Looking great is there not too many tubes though?

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.

What will this beast be powering? She looks a sturdy peice of gear, very well made

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.

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.