The metric plans have only been about for a couple of months so certainly none completed, I have read of a few other people thinking of starting one using the metric drawings but not seen any sign of work.

There are a couple of things that are not right on the metric drawing such as the cylinder studs protruding from the boiler, OK on full size where they could send a boy into the boiler through the manhole but in miniature you would never get the cylinder in place!!. I have e-mailed the source to make them aware of the error but have not seen a revised drawing. Its also still drawn to suit imperial DP gears not metric MOD ones.

Whichever version you decide to go for I would highly recommend you track down a copy of LC Mason's book "Scale Model Traction Engine Building – featuring Minnie" Its out of print and fetches a premium but worth every penny. There is also enough info in the book to build the imperial version so you would be saving the cost of a set of plans, thats how I built mine.

J

I just found the drawings for the metric version. Browsing over them I noted that the boiler tube is 67mm, that is 2 ⅝" if I'm not mistaken, not a very common diameter is it? If this is suposed to be a metric version, why not make it 70mm on the drawing?!

There are two types of metric models those totally designed for metric from the outset and those that have had the imperial dimensions changes to metric with some rounding up or down to commonly available stock size this falls into the later catagory.

If you went upto 70mm then a new cylinder casting would be needed for example and the knock on effect would as Andrew says need a complete redesign.

Though at least 2 5/8" is readily available , not seen much 70mm stuff about.

**LINK**

In that case if you are going to have difficulty getting the other imperial sizes you may be best to get a complete boiler kit which will have all the tube and sheet you will need, ask someone like this . Another option would be to roll from sheet or cut down the next size up and roll it down to size.

67mm seems to be a common plumbing diameter albeit most i found were 1.2mm = 18swg and likely not an ideal copper type. If I recall correctly then i read somewhere it was used more in france at that diameter?

Hi,how do you fill the boiler on a Minnie please?

Thanks for that Jason, found it.

I need to pressure test this for my own safety and generally found out how to fire it up and maintain it.

Any ideas where I could find this info as Im sure you dont want to list it out lol??

Thanks.