BOILER DRILLING & TAPPING

[Martin McDonaldParticipant @martinmcdonald92092]

I have almost finished a 2″ scale traction engine boiler but wish to add a second water inlet connection along the barrel as well as to drill and tap the boiler top for the cylinder mounting studs.

I propose to follow Alec Farmer’s recomendations in ‘Model Locomotive  Boilermaking’ for the actual water connection but what is the best way to drill and tap holes in an otherwise finished boiler in such a way as to minimise the ingress of swarf or, indeed, to extract it ?

Any comments and recommendations on this would be most welcome.

 

Martin McDonald, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, Ireland.

[Martin McDonaldParticipant @martinmcdonald92092]

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

My Dad taught me how to drill a car inlet manifold  in situ, in order to fit a vacuum gauge.

Basically, don’t let the drill break through more than a minimum amount and grease the tap.

 

Regards

Geoff Theasby

[Author]

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