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Post by alanstepney on Jun 23, 2015 15:54:49 GMT
I am sorry to read that you have given up on the boiler.
It might be beyond redemption, but there is always (usually?) a chance that it can be fixed.
Having said that, I can understand that for some people, the time it would take is more important.
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Post by ronhancock on Jun 23, 2015 19:59:43 GMT
I had just gone through so much and the further i went the less i was pleased with the work.
Up to putting cross stays in it was fine then the 3/4 tubes had leaks so decided to but new boiler from GB Boilers at Bedworth.
It will be nice to see loco Finished and running.
At least it will be peace and mind knowing it as it should be.
Thank you all for the help especially Julian as always Brilliant.
Ron
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Post by runner42 on Jun 23, 2015 23:20:55 GMT
Having built a boiler whose construction was not straightforward and being a beginner made mistakes in build order that made the build more onerous, but through it all eventually succeeded, I am somewhat amazed that the boiler is a write off. If the flue tubes are leaking, one assumes that this is at either the firebox or smokebox tubeplates, which on a 5" boiler is more accessible than on a 3 1/2". The silver soldering should seal the leaks if the criteria is met, ie gap size, cleanliness, right flux, right silver solder and right heat. Not rocket science. I had difficulty in getting it clean around the area although I soaked it in citric acid pickle overnight. It required some abrasive cleaning, what cured that issue was to sand blast the area. The right heat required oxy-acetylene, not that propane could do the job but a concentrated heat was required to prevent reflowing adjacent joints. If I have given the impression that it was easy, it wasn't it required patience to try again if it didn't work first time. I had all the plugs in place so after each attempt the boiler was easily pressure tested with air and used soapy water to detect leaks.
Now that you have made the decision to purchase a boiler, the pressure is off and that in itself maybe the catalyst to renew your efforts to fix the one you started.
Brian
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Post by steamcoal on Jun 25, 2015 11:13:29 GMT
Ron.
How did you find the relationship between the boiler inspector ( mentor) and your self if you care to say?
Were you happy with the amount of information you were given at the start of the planning process and were you made aware of facts to pay more attention? Would you approach the project in a different way next time?
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chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Jul 14, 2015 17:54:13 GMT
Good evening Gents, it's an old thread I know but here are my thoughts on the leaky silver soldered joints. In my (limited) experience joint formation is key. The gap must be correct and uniform. As the boiler progresses the sheer mass of copper makes it harder to raise to the required temperature and therefore obtain good joints. Now I have only used Propane and may stand corrected but would have thought that even with oxy-acetylene to hand it would still be beneficial to use insulation, heat the whole boiler gently and evenly to just below the melting temperature so that it is easier to raise the area to be joined to the required temperature with either propane or oxy-acetylene.
You don't state if you are using cadmium free or cadmium bearing solder. The difference is that cadmium free solder has a wider temperature range between just molten and fully molten than cadmium bearing solder. Although only 10-20 degrees different (typically) it makes a large practical difference when soldering, especially in the latter stages when the sheer mass of copper makes it hard to raise to the required temperature, (hence why I recommend the use of insulation to help). If using cadmium free solder, from when it just starts to melt you have to raise the temperature quite a bit more than with cadmium bearing solder in order to get good flow/capilliary action/joint penetration.
I hope this advice is relevant and helpful.
Tim
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Post by ronhancock on Jul 15, 2015 17:53:20 GMT
Ron. How did you find the relationship between the boiler inspector ( mentor) and your self if you care to say? Were you happy with the amount of information you were given at the start of the planning process and were you made aware of facts to pay more attention? Would you approach the project in a different way next time? Boiler inspectors where very helpful but decided to buy a new Boiler from GB Boilers went to see his work i was very impressed so orderd a new one coming end of august beginning of sept. I will have another go at a later date with my boiler i started i have decided to remove the offending super heater tubes and re place. I wan't the loco to be running before i get to old so that's why i ordered a new ce Boiler Ron |
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Post by ronhancock on Jul 15, 2015 17:56:20 GMT
Having built a boiler whose construction was not straightforward and being a beginner made mistakes in build order that made the build more onerous, but through it all eventually succeeded, I am somewhat amazed that the boiler is a write off. If the flue tubes are leaking, one assumes that this is at either the firebox or smokebox tubeplates, which on a 5" boiler is more accessible than on a 3 1/2". The silver soldering should seal the leaks if the criteria is met, ie gap size, cleanliness, right flux, right silver solder and right heat. Not rocket science. I had difficulty in getting it clean around the area although I soaked it in citric acid pickle overnight. It required some abrasive cleaning, what cured that issue was to sand blast the area. The right heat required oxy-acetylene, not that propane could do the job but a concentrated heat was required to prevent reflowing adjacent joints. If I have given the impression that it was easy, it wasn't it required patience to try again if it didn't work first time. I had all the plugs in place so after each attempt the boiler was easily pressure tested with air and used soapy water to detect leaks.
Now that you have made the decision to purchase a boiler, the pressure is off and that in itself maybe the catalyst to renew your efforts to fix the one you started.
Brian
Hi Brian yes i intend to over the winter the Super heater tube splt so i am going to replace the 4 of them i want to finish it just as an exercise plus handy in case i ever get a problem in the Future. Ron |
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kwil
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 383
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Post by kwil on Sept 4, 2015 14:58:41 GMT
Ron, Any signs (photos) of this new boiler?
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Post by ronhancock on Sept 5, 2015 9:23:13 GMT
Ron, Any signs (photos) of this new boiler? Boiler still being constructed not ready as yet should be finished this week. Tried to add photo's but will not down load sorry. Ron |
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Post by ronhancock on Sept 5, 2015 12:38:57 GMT
I could not download photo here but put on on model engineering under black 5 boiler if you
would like to see Kwil.
Ron
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