Northumbrian Build Thread

[Shawki Shlemon]

Pete it looks that there is a relatively a large gap between the fire door tube and the plate , also the two other holes that I can't work what they are for at the back head . Silver solder don't like too large gaps , this is not a criticism but just a point of discussion .

[peteh]

Hi Shawki,
I think what you see as a gap is actually just shadow - All the tubes are a reasonably tight sliding fit in the plates. The two holes with the smaller tubes are for the superheater tubes, which end at the backhead, the steam being taken off at the backhead, remembering that Northumbrian has rear cylinders. The other hole to the top is the centre for the regulator. The two lower holes are for stays.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Thanks Pete , its clear to me now , forgive my ignorance , its the age effect .

[peteh]

No worries Shawki, I think it's more down to knowing the particular design, not so much ignorance!

[doubletop]

Pete

I'm still checking in regularly and just had a quick stock take to see how much more copper bashing you had to do before we get to see some heat being applied. You can't be that for off your final pieces by now? Inner firebox, tubes and the foundation ring. Which you really can't make until you've got some of the assembly under way.

Keep going matey soon be time to get all the parts into the pickle ready to go

regards

Pete

[peteh]

Cheers Pete, Unfortunately away from tomorrow (Friday) for a weekend rogaining, so no ME this week. Also full of cold at the moment I have also taken Monday off so hope to get to the one place I know in perth I can get some Bronze short lengths from for the regulator - I have loads of 3/4 but no 7/8 - figures Needless to say these guys aren't open weekends when I could get to them normally. I have all of the tube material but have yet to cut it. Also still have to check the front firebox plate with the front tubeplate but getting there. Then will need to go to the Boiler Inspectors, cap in hand, and ask permission to proceed

[peteh]

My apologies for a long absence, life gets in the way of ME at times.

I have finally managed to find a few hours in my shed, after 4 months!. I have now finished filing to size all of the firetube holes in the firebox tubeplate and the front tubeplate (my second). It was very satisfactory assembling all of the plates together in the shell, with two of the uncut firetubes passing through from front to rear - these will carry the superheater elements. I now just need to cut the firetubes to (rough) length and the four parts for the foundation ring.

On another note I have received the various ceramics for making my own refractory for the foundary I am also slowly putting together Initial thoughts are aluminium first, to be followed by brass and bronze later. I have a nice selection of 1908 bronze keel bolts (and the 1 ton lead keel) from a wreck I brought years ago.

Busy tomorrow with daughters 18th so will only manage a quick peep in durin work.

[jma1009]

hi pete,
well done! look forward to further progress as your time permits!
up till now ive never drilled superheater flue holes having always filed them to a gauge after chain drilling so you are in v good company! i might depart from this with STEPNEY's boiler (see my BOXHILL thread) and make up a boring tool to attach in the mill. my extended inner firebox flanged plates are too long to attach to the faceplate of my lathe for boring same on the faceplate. though time required to make a suitable tool would probably be more than filing same after chain drilling as ive done on numerous boilers till now!
cheers,
julian

[philh1]

Wondered where you had got to Pete. Nice to see you have got back to it all. I have had a similar break (had to lay an oak floor and build a pond for the frogs).

PhilH

[doubletop]

I'm still checking in from time to time...

Pete

[peteh]

Managed a whole hour and a half this week! I have now cut/filed the roundation ring parts. Two have to be reduced by 1/16" to make room for the firebox wrapper which I still have to bend. Then it will be on with the bushes. Be nice if I can get the OK to start joining pieces by the end of the month. I have a friend coming over to stay with us in March next year so would be nice to be steaming by then. Unfortunately my wife and I have just started another 'hobby' - geocaching.

[doubletop]

Pete

Can I suggest you get the coordinates of your shed entered into your GPS?

Pete

[peteh]

Nov 3, 2013 18:33:46 GMT doubletop said:

Pete

Can I suggest you get the coordinates of your shed entered into your GPS?

Pete

Only if the GPS can make more time Too much other stuff and SWMBO wanted more together time - you can't fight that!

[Shawki Shlemon]

I thought if one is in the workshop , is not very far and is still considered together .

[doubletop]

Too right Shawki;

As they say "I know my place" and I get tea deliveries every hour, which helps a great deal with the productivity.

Pete

[peteh]

Well the regulator has now been made, with the exception of the handle. Only problem is I have mislaid my camera - this will be the second time I have put one down and never picked it back up
Had one slight change to the plan - I thought I had the 1/4 x 26 tap and die but didn't so used a M7 x .75 instead - should give me a slightly finer control. If not I can always remake it!

[peteh]

Finally some actual progress to report. Our club does the sausage sizzle at H & F's sale and I was on with both boiler inspectors. I have now been given the go ahead to silver solder the firebox up - just as the weather has warmed up nicely. Having said that won't be done this week as off for a few days geocaching and a nice break from the kids (18 and 20 - should call them young adults really, but I'm not a politician and hardly ever correct )

[peteh]

Another quick update - I now have the OK on all assembly - the boiler inspector didn't like my throat plate, flanged to the inside of the boiler tube so it has been converted to his (external) requirements, though in all honesty the original plans asked for a butt joint, which is against Oz code unless using 'Tobin Bronze' instead of Silver Solder. It has been so hot here for the last five months that it has taken this long to get in the shed and finish this last piece. Was hoping to get started on hte s/s today but the heat is back with us!
Just had a great evening at our club meeting at a members workshop where 4 15" gauge locos have been just finished, including two garratts.

[peteh]

Major morning in the shed today, finishing all of the boiler bushes. All up I spent 4 hours woking and the shed was 40.5C inside when I left around 12.30pm, with our hottest time of day usually around 2-3pm. Forecast today was 33C max!

Glad to state that all bushes are now substantially done, will just need cleaning up the threads once silver soldered on to the relavant plates / barrel. Need a cooler day now to actually start the assmbly process

[mattscrutton]

Excellent news Pete, glad to see your making good progress, I like this project.