Hi,
Further work on the meths burner has been slowed down. My brother visited the shed to pick up some bits and I managed to pack the completed meths tank with them! It will not be returned until Monday when we will be in London for the birth of our latest granddaughter, so it will be some time before the burner is finished.
Work however has continued on the burners themselves. I am trying a new way of constructing them. Previously the wick tubes were soldered to their bases and then turned to make the bases round, this done the completed wick tubes were soldered to their supply tube. To turn the softened tube it had to be mounted on a wooden mandrel to stop it being crushed by the action of the lathes chuck.
The way that the new burner was made removes the problem of having to turn the wick holders and the whole burner, wick holders and supply tube is soldered in one go and saves a lot of time.
Before the meths tank disappeared it was fitted into the models chassis, as the model is made from bits and pieces and the rear buffer beam had been cut back so the tank couldn't be fitted in the usual way. On previous burners the front end of the burner was held by the front flame guard which was sprung between the frames. The new burner will be held at the front by a permanent spacer between the frames.
Photographs which I hope explain the construction of the burner.
01. My usual way of securing the tank between the frames.
02. Because of modified buffer beam new system of securing the tank between the frames.
03. Checking the fit of the burner meths supply tube. Note frame spacer to hold the front end.
Tank disappears so on with the wick holders and their supply tube.
04. Wick tubes mounted on wooden plug for centre punching.
05. One side of tube drilled while still on plug.
06. Other side of tube drilled with plug removed.
07. Under size holes broached to take meths supply tube.
08. End of tube machined until it almost breaks into hole and tube cut to length.
09. Tubes test fitted to supply pipe. Extra tube made in case of mishaps.
10. Making the small feed holes using a gramophone needle. Drilling holes in a thin wall tube can be difficult unless they are plugged and the holes necessary need only to be small.
11. Soldering in one operation. The wick tubes are threaded onto thier supple tube and placed on a continuous base plate. A couple of pieces of silver solder along with some flux are placed in the tubes.
12. The burner is placed on the hearth and heated.
13/14/15. The results.
Well that's it for a bit until the tank is returned and we come back from far away places.
Regards Tony.
