A Clash of Rivets

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Came across a problem that I hadn't considered whilst making the boiler for my Burrell-Boydell engine.

I have drilled all the stay holes and the plan was to use 1/8" snap head rivets from the inside of the firebox.

I've made 114 rings of 1/16" silver solder, threaded them onto the rivets and inserted the rivets from inside as planned.

The problems cam in the corners where I could fit the rivets in the sides but I couldn't place rivets front and back in the corners because the side rivets were sticking up by the thickness of the silver solder!

I took a chance on silver soldering by using propane inside the firebox instead of oxy-acet at the clubhouse and it worked, I can now install the missing rivets and heat it all up again.

Some you win!

Brian

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

If the Oxy-acet is available, I would preheat the firebox with propane, but not up to the point of melting the existing rivet joints, then swap over to Oxy-acet. If possible, use a lower temp silver solder as you don't really want to keep melting existing joints.

BobH

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Remaining rivets now inserted and silver soldered. I now need to clean it all so that another 114 rings can be place on the outside surfaces and melted in, but that will be MUCH easier. I'm expecting a few leaks that will require remedial work but hopefully the main heating work will be done.

Brian

(PS, I'll put up some pictures whan It looks respectable)

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