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Post by steamlaser on Jul 3, 2024 17:14:51 GMT
I was recently given the "guardianship" of a 2.5 inch Fayette. This was built pre war and was known to have run.
Alas the original owners workshop was burnt down by the "local intelligensia" and the loco was passed on to another owner who stripped it down.
I have inherited most of the bits and hope to get it running again. Alas in its travels some of the plans have also been lost.
I have the problem that there are sheared studs on the back head which the secure the regulator flange.
I am making up a drilling jig that will allow me to accurately drill out the sheared studs (I hope!)
1. Does anybody have the PCD of the holes in the flange that bolts onto the back head?
2. Does anybody have the thread size that is tapped into the copper back head? (I assume it will be an odd size BA?)
The Boiler seems sound and should pass a hydraulic test. If it passes, then the loco will be worth all the effort to get running again.
Many thanks.
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Post by John Baguley on Jul 4, 2024 13:54:22 GMT
I've checked the drawings and there are no details at all given for the number of bolts/studs on the regulator flange or their size. I presume that the studs screw straight into the copper backhead and not a bush. The construction notes say nothing either so it will be whatever the builder decided to use or had to hand. If it is an older loco then the fixings could well be whitworth e.g. 3/32" Whit. I find that a lot in the older locos that I work on. They could be 7BA though or even 8BA. You should be able to tell by measuring the diameter of the holes in the flange.
If you need any, castings are still available from Kennions/EKP
Hope that helps,
John
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Post by steamlaser on Jul 5, 2024 15:30:24 GMT
Thank you John!
I thought I was missing a sheet of plans as I could not find any dimensions for the back head fittings.
I carefully measured up what bits I had and made a jig to go over the hole in the back head. There is no flange on the backhead for the regulator,so there is very little material to fix to. It would seem the last Owner used 8 BA screws to secure the regulator to the backhead. I filed down the protruding broken screw and it looks to be made of brass(?)
I now have reached the "point of no return" where I hopefully will drill out the broken screw and not wreck the tread in the boiler.
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Post by ettingtonliam on Jul 9, 2024 22:38:03 GMT
Will the boiler inspector like a regulator with fixing screws threaded straight into the copper backhead?
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Post by John Baguley on Jul 10, 2024 9:11:43 GMT
It should be ok. 'Grandfather' rights apply to old boilers so the latest rules don't apply. Only to new boilers. It will depend on the boiler inspector though. Some like to make up their own rules unfortunately.
I would try and enlarge the studs though if possible to give stronger threads - perhaps to 7BA if the nuts will fit on the regulator flange. I've repaired similar fixings by making stepped studs with a larger diameter in the boiler backhead or flange if fitted.
John
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Post by steamlaser on Jul 10, 2024 21:11:58 GMT
Our Club Boiler Inspector team ( and I am one of them) would accept Grandfather rights on an older boiler. However we would look VERY CAREFULLY at the condition and design of the boiler. At the end of the day OUR signature goes on the bottom of the Test Certificate!
Alas on my Fayette the builder used 8 BA screws and there is very little spare copper to put in 7BA threads. After the sheared screws have been drilled out, I intend to have a hydraulic test carried out to see if the whole boiler is sound.
I may need to talk to the more experienced boiler makers to see if there is a way I could retrofit a flange to the back head.
Old steam boiler are definitely not "plug and play"
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Post by John Baguley on Jul 11, 2024 11:49:09 GMT
Old steam boiler are definitely not "plug and play" Tell me about it!
If the stays are soft solder caulked then the only way to fit a flange would be to thread it into the backhead with a fairly course thread and then soft solder it. It has been done before.
I have fitted flanges to silver soldered boilers and silver soldered them in a couple of times but you have to be very careful not to melt other joints as well!
John
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