Minnie

[spurley]

Hi there

Alongside my 3 1/2" Tich, which is now successfully running on air!, I am building a Minnie. I have had one go at making the boiler but sold it incomplete 'to fund other projects' and would now like to have another go. I intend to build the Tich boiler and the Minnie boiler at the same time, in an effort to conserve Oxy Acetylene and acid pickle etc. Does anyone have a boiler kit or set of materials suitable for the Minnie boiler for sale before I resort to Blackgates or GLR? I would be very grateful if you could have a look through your odd bits and bobs and be kind enough to let me know what you have.

Cheers in anticipation.

Brian

[Roger Mason]

Hi Brian,

[Roger Mason]

Hi Brian,

Please ignore the above reply - I must remember not to indent a new paragraph with a 'tab' key - the above is the result!!

To the point: I understand that Reeves do a kit of parts for the boiler, including flanged plates, if that is what you want. I think a call to them may be beneficial.


Cheers,


Roger Mason, in St. Agnes.

[chris vine]

Hi Brian,

Good to see you are working on two projects at once and I like the Model Engineer attitude of saving everything including Oxy Acetylene.

It is often said that this really too fierce for silver soldering as it can burn the flux or solder. I have an Oxygen torch which I use with Propane, being much cheaper than acetylene, and even this is really too hot.

If you get a large nozzle for a propane torch it really is a better tool for silver soldering in my experience. If you use the hotter flame, you should keep it away from the joint itself.

What do you and other forum members think on this....?

Chris.

[Tel]

Well I have to disagree with you Chis, the oxy/acet is just fine for boiler work, the more so 'cos you have the opportunity to localise the heat where you want it instead of having the whole assembly glowing like an Irishman's nose.

You just have to remember to use the outer envelope of the flame - NOT the inner cone. In this respect, a cutting tip is a much better choice of weapon than a welding tip.

[chris vine]

Sometimes I use the propane torch to get something large good and hot and then, like Tel, I use the the Oxy torch to heat the bit that matters. I try to keep the fierce flame away from the flux and solder itself.

I have never tried a cutting tip but I do have a tip a bit like a pepper pot with six holes which produces a more diffuse flame than the standard welding type. It is very useful.

I guess everyone finds their own way of doing things.....

Chris.

[spurley]

HI chaps

Thanks for the replies (some slightly off my original question), I may have to resort to Reeves (once I win the lottery!!!) but I always live in hope that someone somewhere just might have what I'm looking for.

Personally I have found GLR or Blackgates more rerasonably priced and more pleasant to deal with. At least they tend to be polite to you before charging your credit card ;D.

Still hoping for a bit longer

Cheers

Brian