jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
|
Post by jma1009 on Mar 15, 2013 10:32:01 GMT
hi folks,
hoping that someone can help please...
i need a 13" length of copper tube 3.75" (3 3/4") dia 13swg (or 2.5mm thickness and nearest metric size in diameter) C106 grade.
my usual ME supplier says it's no longer obtainable, and my local non-ferrous stockists went bust a year ago.
Reeves are quoting £84 plus VAT p&p for a 12" length which seems a bit steep to me.
can anyone please help with a cheaper source or supplier?
ive emailed quite a few industrial (as opposed to ME suppliers) but havent received any replies.
the OD must be not less than 3 3/4" and not more than 3 7/8".
cheers,
julian
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2013 10:52:08 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2013 10:58:36 GMT
|
|
taff
Hi-poster
President of City of Newport M.E.S. Chairman, Rivet Counters Fellowship.
Posts: 161
|
Post by taff on Mar 15, 2013 11:07:28 GMT
Hello Julian.
Have you tried local copper smiths shops (if such still exist in our area). The copper smith in the local Dry Dock used to keep a supply of pipe off cuts under his bench when I worked there many tears ago and often the local scrappy may have some but in this day and age you would need to know the specifications of it before buying it. Strange how things change isn't it. we never used to worry about such matters years ago, at least I don't recall anyone mentioning it. Of course you could roll it up from flat and braze the joint
Taff.
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
|
Post by jma1009 on Mar 15, 2013 12:24:52 GMT
hi pete and superseven,
thanks for the links...i'd already tried john keatley.
unfortunately it's got to be 13swg, not 10swg (or 2.5mm not 3mm)
hi peter, yes, those were the days! an old late great friend of mine had 2 boilers built during his days in the Royal Navy... he had access to the lathe and workshop on his ship when at sea, and access to the smith's shop and stores when at base. in fact the copper smith built him a new SPEEDY boiler shortly after the design was published...beautiful job all solver soldered throughout and Admiralty grade stuff. unfortunately there was some confusion over the drawings and the formers were made to the flanged plate sizes...result beautiful new boiler wouldnt fit between the frames! at least it hadnt cost anything!
where do the ME suppliers and the preserved railways get their large copper tube from?!
cheers,
julian
|
|
jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
|
Post by jasonb on Mar 15, 2013 13:21:15 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by durhambuilder on Mar 15, 2013 14:54:31 GMT
live steam models appear to have it, must be a strange size though, it's twice the price of the next largest.
Julian
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
|
Post by jma1009 on Mar 15, 2013 15:31:57 GMT
hi jason,
thank you very much. the machine metals site/link is very helpful. i wasnt aware of this company. they seem to have a very impressive stock.
cheers,
julian
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim Scott on Mar 15, 2013 16:18:38 GMT
Hi Julian
3 3/4" x 13 gauge? Looks just the right size for a 5" Terrier...
M-Machine is almost local to me and is used by many of my club members. Apparently it is well worth a visit to view the stock! (although a long way from S Wales).
I have on two recent occasions purchased small quantities of materials from M-machine; phone call mid-afternoon had the goods delivered by post the following morning. I was very impressed by this service. Also you get to talk to pleasant lady instead of ordering via a web page.
Cheers
Jim S
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
|
Post by jma1009 on Mar 15, 2013 18:10:34 GMT
hi jim,
yes it's for STEPNEY.
you may recall i had already done the drawings for a boiler with a 4" dia barrel, based partly on the relative cheapness of 4" tube compared to 3 3/4" tube, and taking full advantage of the 4 1/4" distance between the frames. however our recent correspondence and your very helpful pictures have caused a rethink...partly due to clearance problems you kindly identified, and also due to the fact there appeared little point in making the chassis parts as 'scale' as i can and then fitting an oversize boiler and smokebox. i also dont think i took into account the amount of boiler insulation required to prevent the boiler paintwork (and ornate Stroudley lining) becoming discoloured in due course.
thanks for the recommendation re M-machine. works out a considerable saving when compared to Reeves and Blackgates.
on the otherhand if anyone has a length of 3 3/4" 13swg tube they dont want i'd be very interested!
cheers,
julian
|
|
|
|
Post by northerner on Mar 16, 2013 11:00:23 GMT
Hello Julian
M -machine are fairly local to me so I have called in a number of times. They are always friendly & helpful. As Jim says they large stock & are expanding into another unit nextdoor. On the other hand I have been trying to get some steel tube that is in their catalogue for awhile now so far with no luck. So I would contact them to make sure they have the tube unless you have already do so of course. regards John
|
|
