lynton and Barnstaple manning wardle

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:27 pm

Nice,
If you don't get any more done by the 25th, stick a bit of holly on it and use it as a centre piece for the dinner table!

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:35 pm

I need to clear the sides down in the workshop again and then it's assembling the smokebox and starting the boiler work. If anyone can tell me what size former to use to flange the end plates to fit 42mm copper pipe that would be useful. With a bit of luck and a push down hill I would like to have the loco in steam this year?!? Although in reality if this does happen it will be with the regulator and safety valve borrowed from the fox

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:07 pm

It's all being made out of 16swg both tube and backplates

pskipper · Post by **pskipper** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:37 pm

The build brazil instructions online use a 42mm copper pipe for the boiler so the former sizes can be found there.

When I finally get around to building my first steam loco I'm considering using core plugs from a car engine, you can get 40mm ones for about 95p each and they should be a very good fit.

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:20 pm

What material are core plugs made from? It's certainly a good shout given the price of them

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:49 pm

Core plugs are normally made of mild steel and are fitted into an engine block by hammering into a slightly undersize hole. (quite a satisfying job as it happens)
I think using them for boiler ends would be a bit of a non starter as you would have the problem of joining steel to copper. They are also not precision made as they are only stampings.

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:43 pm

If they're made from mild steel it's a non starter due to corrosion issues. soldering the steel to the copper isn't an issue as such as the boiler needs to be silver soldered in any case. The last thing we want though is any rust trying to go through the steam ways as its a sure fire way of blocking everything up! I'll stick to copper I think

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:10 am

Probably a good idea.

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:11 am

And the answer to the question of what size former is 37mm

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:01 pm

So tonight I had a go at making the first boiler end cap

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:45 am

Looks the job.

pskipper · Post by **pskipper** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:09 pm

Looks good, I'll have to have a go the hard way too

I was taken in by the fact that the core plugs I've used in the past have been copper plated

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:18 pm

So today this finally happened

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:18 pm

That is looking rather good, did you form the barrel or use pipe?

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:24 pm

Boiler made from 42mm 16swg copper pipe. 16swg flanged ends and everything silver soldered. Just passed a pressure test up to 120psi. Planned working pressure is 40psi though

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 1:46 pm

So a bit of a push over the weekend and this happened.....

(Click on pic to view)

Maple · Post by **Maple** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:15 pm

looking good, did your cylinders need much work?

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:17 pm

The cylinders were old roundhouse ones and were stored in a sealed bag and coated in steam oil. Thankfully all working well. I only replaced seals out of habit rather than them actually needing replacing.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:24 pm

Spot on. Give the man a coconut!
Nice work there Matt.

Garden Railway Forum

lynton and Barnstaple manning wardle

Who is online