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Post by dinmoremanor on Apr 12, 2007 19:23:03 GMT
Hi again all, does anyone know of any independant testers of miniature boilers? I believe a company called Farncare can do so but they are some distance from me which makes getting my boiler tested expensive. I am no longer a member of any clubs, been there, done that and given up! so need to find other ways of certifying the boiler, Cheers, Mike
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Post by alanstepney on Apr 12, 2007 19:42:47 GMT
Farncare is the only one I have had experience of. Some, perhaps many, have a lower limit to the sizes they will deal with.
It might be best to contact your insurers and see who they use. At least you will know that the tester will be acceptable to them.
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Post by steamjohn248 on Apr 12, 2007 19:50:56 GMT
We have used Ian of "Farncare" for some time now, we are in Essex, he is in Hampshire but still only charges about £80 and less if you have more than one boiler, (per boiler that is). He is well versed in Loco boilers and is a realist. He will normally combine several visits in the same area so makes his wages without charging a kings ransome. I would thouroughly reccomend him, ususal disclaimer.
Cheers
Steamjohn.
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Post by Laurie_B on Apr 14, 2007 14:06:15 GMT
There is another independant boiler inspector:John Glaze.He advertises occasionally in Heritage Railway etc. His ads state: "All Scales & Gauges.Model Engineer". I think he is based in Wolverhampton his phone no is 01902 781367,mobile 07774 822126. Hope this is of help.
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paul
Member
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Post by paul on Apr 15, 2007 21:12:46 GMT
Googled that phone number and got his e-mail if preferred: jagtheboilerman@blueyonder.co.uk
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Post by ron on Apr 16, 2007 9:29:20 GMT
Mike, I'm pleased you asked that question, as a relative newcomer to this hobby I had just assumed that if like me you didn't have a local club, or for whatever reason you didn't like clubs you were stuck with having to build a garden track. Speaking personally and with no great depth of knowledge of the subject I think it was wrong the way the system was set up to the benefit of clubs and the detriment of the individual but I suppose that's the way of the world nowadays. Ron
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Post by alanstepney on Apr 16, 2007 17:42:51 GMT
Ron, let me pick up on your post.
Way way back, there was no requirements for any boiler testing whatsoever. Then gradually it became apparent that no tests could easily result in dangerous boilers. The exact procedure for testing at clubs has gradually evolved to suit the majority in this hobby.
There is and always has been the option of approaching the insurance company of your choice and using their inspector or one approved by them. In many cases the cost will discourage most people. Whilst Farncare and the few who are involved in the hobby / model side of pressure vessels may charge reasonable rates, the majority of such inspectors are solely concerned with industrial equipment and charge accordingly. Also, their limited experience of the "small stuff" means that they may not even accept for testing many of "our" models.
Moving up to date. With the advent of the EU plus greater emphasis on pressure vessels, there has been a whole raft of new legislation. It is only due to a vast amount of time and effort taken on behalf of the hobby by a dedicated few that allows us to have such lenient rules.
Those few are members of the Northern and Southern Federations, the 7 1/4" society and a couple of other organisation, all of whom represent clubs.
So, without the clubs and he umbrella organisations that represent them, we might well only be allowed to buy boilers, have to have industrial standards applied to them and to their testing and operation. Yes, you can build your boiler, not have it tested and run in your own garden to your hearts content. Of course, should an accident occur and someone be injured, your insurers wont cover you and you could be held personally liable.
Yes, there are alternatives to joining a club, but free boiler tests are one of the many benefits of membership.
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Peter
Active Member
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Post by Peter on Apr 16, 2007 20:15:09 GMT
Not really much use to someone in Scotland, but if you are in the south east Maxitrak in Staplehurst Kent will test boilers, last one i had done was 45 pounds but it is half the price if you have one of their own locos.
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Post by Chris Kelland on Apr 17, 2007 6:56:28 GMT
Hi All,
I might be straying slightly off topic here, but, as Hon Sec of a fairly well known MES (City of Oxford) I seem to be getting an increasing number of e-mails from people asking how to get a boiler tested! I had 2 yesterday. I go to great lengths to explain the way things are but at the end of the day I have to say 'please join a club'. In the past we have seen some real horrors, the owners having no idea they own a coal fired bomb.
There are also great financial advantages to joining a club, my Society makes no charges to members after their subs. All boiler tests, insurance, coal, kindling, charcoal and just about everything you can think of is included in the subs, including as much tea you can drink.
In the average club you will find a great deal of knowledge and people who can really help newcomers to the hobby.
Independent boiler testers have their place in life, but it is my opinion that they are a substitute for joining a MES, that is valuable when the nearest club is many miles away.
Regards to All,
Chris
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Post by stantheman on Apr 17, 2007 7:27:27 GMT
This is aimed as much at everyone but more directly at Chris. I feel exactly the same as Chris on this thread, one of the first suggestions I have ever made when approached by somebody asking about our hobby is to suggest they 'join a club'. The wealth of knowledge to be tapped into is amazing, the advantages when it comes to technical issues such as boiler testing are equally amazing. Stan.
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Post by ron on Apr 17, 2007 9:32:48 GMT
I think the point in my previous post is being missed, there is no club anywhere near me and there must be plenty others in the same boat, the nearest one that I know of is about 40/50 miles away, obviously I'm not going to spend much time there if I did join and I can't see them being very happy if I did join for a once in a blue moon visit for a test, the clubs were rightly given this testing priviledge but there should have been some onus put on them to carry out tests [at a price] for people who couldn't or wouldn't join. Presumably this is the reason why there are few independent testers. Alan I'm well aware of what pressure vessel testing is all about, I was the engineer in a coal fired boiler station for twenty years, I've had plenty of practice, anyway apologies for passing an opinion, I'll stick to the technical stuff in future. Ron
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Post by Nexuas on Apr 17, 2007 10:18:25 GMT
Ron - in the RSME we have a number of members who pay our anuual subs, just for the benifit of a boiler test. We see these people once a year and that is pretty much it, it is one of the accepted things related to boiler testing. You pay £30 a year £20 if retired and for that you get a boiler test, seams quite reasonable considering the "professional" prices quoted above. If it is only once a year then 50 miles should not be too bad as a one off trip???
My dad is a member of a club 150 miles from his house, he goes twice maybe three times a year, but because he is a member he is allowed to drive on each of his trip to the club, they are also willing to test his boiler once he gets it complete.
Each to there own...
Oh and you can always express an opinion, just make sure everyone will aggree with it first!!!
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Post by ron on Apr 17, 2007 12:37:53 GMT
Hi Thanks for that info, I had assumed [wrongly as usual] that clubs would not want that type of membership, I can't remember who it was but several months ago someone posted on here that their club actively discouraged it. When the completion of Simplex is nearer I'll make contact with the nearest club and see what their attitude is, I am not anti-club, I would be a member of a local one if there was one to be a member of but I'm not that keen on travelling 40/50 miles to one regularly. Ron
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Post by alanstepney on Apr 17, 2007 12:48:21 GMT
Ron, as others have said, your "local" club may be quite happy for you to join, even if it is a long drive to get there. (The Americans here may be amused by our concept of a long drive!)
The club I belong to is 60 miles away, and even though there are others much closer, (about a dozen within an hours drive), and I am an infrequent visitor, I remain a member.
You are certainly entitled to express your opinion, and whilst you may be fully aware of boilers and the regulations, others may not be. Many people here read but never post, so any information may be of help to them, and as Chris said, there are people who know little about boilers, testing them, or the needs for safety.
As I have said before, we have an excellent record on safety, and I just hope that it isnt ruined by someone with NO ME experience or knowledge, and perhaps someone who never looks at this or other boards, who then causes an accident, resulting in the almost-inevitable tightening up on our activities.
Meanwhile, you, Ron, as well as Mike who started this thread, can be assured that there are alternatives for those who wish to use them.
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Post by Chris Kelland on Apr 17, 2007 17:32:47 GMT
Hi All,
Just for the record Oxford MES has quite a few 'sleeping' members and a number of members who live quite a few miles away. We accept that we don't see everyone on a regular basis, just the same as we know that some members only require the important boiler ticket. It is a fact of life and not a problem. We just accept that everyones needs differ.
Just for the record I travel about 300 miles each month to and from the site in Oxford, not including 30 odd public running days. I don't get problems from the management either, she is in charge of the gardens!
Regards to All,
Chris.
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Post by Steve M. W on Apr 17, 2007 17:57:37 GMT
Ron Just for the record our club inspectors require to see the boiler in two stages of construction so they can see some of the internal joints and materials used. I find this reassuring its nice to get a seal of approval as you progress through construction.
Steve
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John Lee
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 375
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Post by John Lee on Apr 17, 2007 18:37:45 GMT
we are in Essex, he is in Hampshire but still only charges about £80 ususal disclaimer. Cheers Steamjohn. £80?? for 15 minutes work? Crikey!!
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Post by steamjohn248 on Apr 17, 2007 19:15:44 GMT
John Lee
Its not fifteen minutes work but even if it was I still think that having a guy who knows about model boilers is worth his salt. Ive seen boilers tested by club inspectors and I've never seen one of them done in fifteen minutes either, Ian, who works as a volunteer on the Moors Valley Railway and know a thing or two about the subject, is I think good value.
My steam launch boiler is inspected under the SBA scheme by a local man who is also a model engineer and the charge is £110. My steam roller boiler was done by the Cornhill man, again a man with a knowledge and afinity for the type of boiler he is looking at, cost about the same.
I only offered the info, you pays your money and takes your choice. Dont see its anything to scoff at. Have you taken your car to a garage lately and paid for a "service".
Steamjohn
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black5
Member
I did Not post this!!!
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Post by black5 on Apr 17, 2007 19:41:39 GMT
Why is it that neither Germans , nor apparently the French have ongoing boiler tests AND use stainless steel boilers admittedly professionally made?
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Apr 18, 2007 10:27:55 GMT
It seems to me strange .Here in OZ we have one boiler code for all and a certified boiler by any club is accepted every where . all stage inspections and testing is free . some members travel 40/50 miles or more to get to the club but not just for boiler inspection or test but to play trains and I thought that was what is all about . I as always has said if you read my treads Join a Club , the benefits are much more than just certifying a boiler .I know more than one person who owns large property with decent track on but they still are members in some clubs and active members if I may add.The hobby is partly engineering partly social and partly reluctance to completely retire and so on .There is more to the hobby than just building models , it is a life style .I have been a member in WDLS for more than 20 years, there has been good times and bad ones but life was never meant to be rosy all the time .All in all I have no regrets .I wish every one good luck .
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