jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
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Post by jasonb on Feb 6, 2019 20:20:29 GMT
I'm glad that you are happy with it as my Mojave Red looks nothing like that?
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 6, 2019 20:25:14 GMT
I'm glad that you are happy with it as my Mojave Red looks nothing like that? Mine looks like that, a matt mauvy red: it's the camera! John
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 7, 2019 21:00:26 GMT
Looking the part! David and I went to the manufacturing exhibition today at Farnborough: we had a great time, and realised that manufacturing in the UK was not dead yet! Much inspired, I spent a few hours this evening making a new chimney, complete with bronze top and bottom collars, and doing a trial assembly. Very happy with it, and the colour seems to have photographed OK this time! John 20190207_203653 by inkaboat, on Flickr 20190207_203511 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 8, 2019 13:30:19 GMT
Choosing the EngineI have thought long and hard about the best engine to complement this boiler. In terms of size, era and sheer presence, the Stuart Beam is the obvious choice. The cylinders - what colour? black or green? - are for the water tank/preheater and the exhaust condenser. It's gonna look great! John 20190208_130426 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
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Post by JonL on Feb 8, 2019 13:59:24 GMT
Looks a cracking combination.
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 8, 2019 19:03:37 GMT
First job: Distribution ManifoldTime waits for no man, so a good starting point was the distribution manifold. Steam on a 3/16" tube comes in on the right, and exits via the same size tube on the left. I've incorporated a 1/4" x 40 outlet to connect an accessory, such as a steam pump or injector. The displacement lubricator hangs on the back, with room to drain it underneath. Progress! John DSC00723 by inkaboat, on Flickr DSC00724 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 8, 2019 23:14:16 GMT
Making the Two TanksI have to know where everything goes before I do any plumbing. I am making these tanks from a redundant SS worktop leg that has been in my workshop roof for about 15 years! Hacksawed roughly to length, attempting to allow for the 'set' of the teeth on the nasty Chinese blades which sends the cut off at an alarming angle, and machined to length on a push fit mandrel. I borrowed our neighbour Bob's cut off saw to make some alloy discs for the end caps. I just happened to have a two foot long solid alloy bar, just the right diameter! These will be machined tomorrow. Great fun! John DSC00725 by inkaboat, on Flickr DSC00726 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
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Post by JonL on Feb 9, 2019 13:22:33 GMT
Really coming together, excellent.
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 9, 2019 20:45:18 GMT
We have Ignition! (well, almost)The ceramic burner and gas tank valve arrived today, so tomorrow should bring some results. I was able to turn the tank tops, and do a little plumbing as well. The trick with any major installation like this one is to make up all the pipework, connect it, and then move all the plant around until it all looks right... John 20190209_201237 by inkaboat, on Flickr Vertical pipes! Easy peasy when the boiler hasn't been screwed down yet! 20190209_201025 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 10, 2019 18:51:23 GMT
We have Ignition!Running at 40 psi with no leaks. Full steam achieved in less than ten minutes with the new ceramic burner. The 'pop' safety valve even works properly! The red hermatite cleans up with methylated sprits... Well chuffed! John 20190210_180955 by inkaboat, on Flickr 20190210_172301 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
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Post by JonL on Feb 10, 2019 20:29:22 GMT
Lovely job, good work. I'd like to have a crack at a boiler myself before I attempt the Brit...
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Feb 10, 2019 21:22:24 GMT
Where did the ceramic burner come from?
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 10, 2019 22:04:40 GMT
Where did the ceramic burner come from? Forest Classics. Coleford. £44. + jet + gas tank valve. Also available from Polly: £50! John
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 11, 2019 18:20:37 GMT
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
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Post by JonL on Feb 11, 2019 22:23:01 GMT
Magic, really good to see. Messy bugger though!
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jez
Member
Posts: 4
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Post by jez on Feb 12, 2019 18:59:44 GMT
Hi John. Thanks very much for the workshop session yesterday, as ever a cracking morning!
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 16, 2019 18:00:14 GMT
Posh Drop LinksI've been stricken again with 'Brit Improvement Disease' in that the Stuart Turner beam engine is just a little too simple for my taste! I've been experimenting with new drop links, to try and get nearer the ones on the Stuart Major engine, as you can see here. I'm as happy with them as I'm going to be... DSC00744 by inkaboat, on Flickr Here is the difference between the old and the new. I will keep the original four lower links, prettied up a little. DSC00739 by inkaboat, on Flickr I used one of the old links as a fixture, and by using the Cupalloys solder paste - an arm and a leg but super stuff - no clean up was necessary! DSC00741 by inkaboat, on Flickr
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 23, 2019 18:26:00 GMT
Right! If you lot can have water towers, then so can I! A bit of old 3" drainpipe, a few OTT rivets, and voila! John water tower by inkaboat, on Flickr
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Feb 23, 2019 18:54:08 GMT
Looks great John, well jealous.....3" copper drainpipe - Cor!!
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Post by Jim on Feb 23, 2019 22:11:02 GMT
Seeing all this John has re-awoken a long held thought to build the model of the Walcha Water Works beam engine. The Bolton version of the castings are still available out here.
Jim.
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