new boiler project

[billydampshed]

heres some piccies of the new boiler project, this is the second boiler i have made as the first was too small and didnt get enough steam up for the engine i made, well lifes full of experience!, the first boiler was silver soldered but this boiler im copper braizing, (these copper braizing rods are very expensive, if you dont want to break the bank i suggest you stick to silver soldering), i had some 1mm thick copper plate at 1 foot square, so i rolled a sheet and riveted/brazed it together, just some holes in the main body to be drilled for the boiler fittings these will be braized from the inside, then the end plates fitted and braized, the approx 1 foot sq has given be a boiler at approx 3.5 inch diam which should now hopefully do the job.




bill

[billydampshed]

its all braized up and boiler fittings attached, ive fitted an outer shell, with some 1mm thick insulation pad, the meths burner was bought off ebay for a couple of quid! the next jobs to insulate the pipes with some string wrap, the chimney and smoke box is for show at the moment, i'll tap the exhaust steam into the chimney, just got to google some plans for a boiler feed pump, the boiler had a hydraulic test to 150lbs ive just got to experiment with different safety pressure valves as this blowes off at 40 psi, it may have to go to 60 psi for a little more working pressure.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi
your boiler looks impressive. In Australia boilers more than 2" dia must be built to a code and tested and certified by an approved boiler inspector .This is to allow the owner to operate his /her boiler in public,otherwise if something happens God forbid one will be in strife.I am not sure what are the rules in UK .
Regards
Shawki

[gwrfan]

Hi Shawki,

In Britain anyone can build his or her own boiler, likewise they can do their own domestic plumbing and electrical work (albeit that new electrics now have to be 'certified' by an approved electrician). Model engineers have always followed some sort of testing code for boilers, and since Jan this year there is a very strict new code in force: 'The Examination and Testing of Miniature Steam Boilers'. This booklet has been prepared by the various UK Federations or Associations of Model Engineers, with whom most - if not all - Model Engineering Societies are registered. This means that we are all - or should be - singing from the same hymn sheet! The booklet has been prepared after consultation with various authorities and associations, including the Health and Safety Executive, Insurance Companies and representatives from the trade, manufacturers and the Model Engineering press.

There is no legal requirement for those people wishing to construct boilers for locos, etc, who wish to use them on their own private property, to register with anyone or be a member of a club or society. I believe I read in the Model Engineer recently, that this is not the case in Australia, where builders/operators are required to be members of a club.

I'm sure that all of us who build and operate steam models in the UK are more than happy to keep our self-regulating rules just that. After all, we have been building and operating steam models here for the best part of a hundred years, with very few problems.

Regards

Geoff

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi Geoff
I was not trying to criticize your work , on the contrary I was impressed with the product .In Australia technically the builder does not have to be a member of a club to have his/her boiler inspected , tested and certified, the reality is that most boiler inpectors are reluctant to do it for non members . There is nothing better than self regulating ,but here we have lost that for better or worst .
I am aware of the fact that UK leads the world in this great hobby of ours and if you care to look at my website( my live steam models in inages ) you will see how many english engines I built .Keep up the good work .
Regards
Shawki

[gwrfan]

Hi Shawki,

Oh I know you weren't criticizing anyone's work on here, so don't worry about that ;D

I looked at your page a little while ago, and wondered then how you ever found the time to build such quality - and quantity - of models. I just can't find enough hours in the day. Perhaps I should get rid of the horses/boat/wife!!

I think that we here in Britain are proud of our self-governing 'hobby', and I don't believe that anyone would even suggest that an 'outside' body should regulate us. I have often asked myself: "Who trains the trainers?", meaning that we in the hobby are surely best qualified to look after our own interests, particularly as our hobby is rather expensive if anything should go wrong!! Let's face it, it's not just copper/steel boilers that are a potential danger. Anyone building a boiler/loco would be foolish indeed if he/she were to cut corners, even if that was possible, LOL! ;D

Regards from a soggy and thundery Cornwall.

Geoff

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi gwrfan
Thankyou for your comment on my websit, I have been retired for the last 10 years and in previous 20 years I was a technical teacher in the Aircraft maintainance field working 4 days a week over 41 weeks/year ,so you can see I had some time on my hand over the last 30 years.
I think I used my time wisely !!!
Regards
Shawki

[Tony K]

How can I see the AMBSC Codes 1 and 2 for copper and steel boilers for Australia?

[AndrewP]

EJ Winter in Oz sell them - www.ejwinter.com.au/books.html 22 aussie dollars each.