Fire door fixing

[somersetsimplex]

greetings fellow Simplex enthusiasts, I started building a Simplex around 15 years ago, but progress has been slow ( where have we heard that before  ) so I bought a running one a year ago. Only run it once, to get the boiler certified, and I'm currently tidying the pipework.  The fire door is mounted on a sheet of brass which is held in place by the backhead fittings, as there are no existing fixings. How do others fix the fire door?

Gavin

[yorkshireman]

Gavin
The reasonable thing would be to create a full cover made from steel or brass-sheets, sides fixed on cab floor, also held by backhead fittings. The back cover would also have an integrated ring that fits into the fire hole, to locate the back cover. Hinges and latch for fire door included... perhaps also the shelf with some tiny coffee-pots.
The backcover has a rear angle that is bolted to the floor.
When you are at it, integrate a removable cab floor, that can be seperated into two parts, with cut out for pipes etc
On top of the floor make layer of wooden blacks - looks nice, but will be burnt over time.

Send mit a PM with your email address - I'll replay with pictures of my Simplex cab

Johannes

[somersetsimplex]

Johannes, thanks for the photos, the wrap around backhead cover looks good. The loco currently has a metal replaceable cab floor, but i've got some oak floor offcuts which i may try and use to make a replacement.

[builder01]

I think the original plans required the builder to drill and tap into the boiler back head to fit the fire door hinges and closure!! Of course this is not the way to do it these days. The retro-fit of the previously mentioned brass sheet is certainly a good way to do the job.


If someone is building this boiler from scratch, it is always wise to include blind threaded bushings for the fire door fittings. This is how my installation turned out. I also made the door swing to the left so the water glass was not in the way of reaching the door handle.
DSCN1382 - reduced 1 by Builder16, on Flickr

Also blind threaded bushes should be made and installed for the expansion angles that are on the sides of the fire box. Below is a photo of the blind bushings for the expansion angles ready for a heat up to be silver soldered.
DSCN1193 - reduced 03 by Builder16, on Flickr

[smallbrother]

Jan 21, 2019 9:53:34 GMT yorkshireman said:

Gavin
The reasonable thing would be to create a full cover made from steel or brass-sheets, sides fixed on cab floor, also held by backhead fittings. The back cover would also have an integrated ring that fits into the fire hole, to locate the back cover. Hinges and latch for fire door included... perhaps also the shelf with some tiny coffee-pots.
The backcover has a rear angle that is bolted to the floor.
When you are at it, integrate a removable cab floor, that can be seperated into two parts, with cut out for pipes etc
On top of the floor make layer of wooden blacks - looks nice, but will be burnt over time.

Send mit a PM with your email address - I'll replay with pictures of my Simplex cab

Johannes

Hi Johannes,

I have a similar situation with the boiler for my Juliette.

I will send you my email by PM.

Would be very grateful for photos to show a good way forward.

Pete.

[builder01]

Johannes,

It would be beneficial if your photos were posted here for everyone to see your solution.

David

[somersetsimplex]

Thought I'd close this thread out with my completed solution.  I bought a sheet of thin copper and made a wrapper to go round the rear of the boiler.  Made holes in it to match the boiler fittings and I have used fibre washers under the fittings to help hold it in place. The fire door is based on a Martin Evans design, mounted on a brass ring, and held to the wrapper by 8BA studs silver soldered to the wrapper.  

I tried uploading a photo but was told the forum has exceeded its attachment space limit? ( photo is 106kb) I'll try again later.