Mamod Traction Engine

[John BesleyParticipant @johnbesley21290]

I have started to rebuild / modify a second hand TE1A Mamod Traction Engine, there are a couple of questions I hope someone can help with.

1. What is the thread size for the water level drain plug as this needs the thread cleaning

2. Are the boilers silversoldered – I would hope so just wanted to check as I want to add a turret for a presser gauge

[John BesleyParticipant @johnbesley21290]

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

Mamod build their boilers using silver solder paste, don't know about thread size though.

Have a look at this link showing the traction engine being built.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9c83qO08HM

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Sorry John, that's bad timing … I returned the Mamod to its rightful owner [our Son] a couple of weeks ago; so I can't measure the thread.

In compensation: here is a useful site

As for the Boilers … I'm almost sure that they are only Soft Soldered.

… Someone will correct me if that's wrong !!

MichaelG.

.

Edit:   It looks like Eric has put me right already.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 28/06/2013 08:59:56

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Mmm…I read that se’s were soft soldered…apart from the se made for blakey and griffon for supply to schools which were silver soldered..te’s might differ..as to bushes etc. Safety valves have used two different threads..

Quite different sizes..the Old size is 1/4″ ww.a larger version exists..the fill plugs are I think 1/4 ..btw pre machined bushes are available…will try to find a address..

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Eric Cox on 28/06/2013 08:52:20:

Mamod build their boilers using silver solder paste, don't know about thread size though.

Have a look at this link showing the traction engine being built.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9c83qO08HM

.

Eric,

Having watched the video … I'm not convinced that it's silver solder paste

Solder Paste, yes.

MichaelG.

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hello again ,

Most toy trade model boilers were made from thin brass put together with Comsol or other varieties of higher melting point soft solders .

Perfecty adequate though it won't satisfy the boiler test ' experts '.

Repairs and modifications to these types of boiler using silver solder or even by further use of Comsol is not advised . Best to accept what's there or make a new boiler .

Regards ,

Michael Williams .

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I expect I'll be shot down in flames by the boiler experts but:

The safety valve on these should be set to 15 psi. So for safety let's assume it can go to 30 psi. At that pressure water boils at 135 C so ordinary soft solder should be adequate.

Russell.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Posted by jason udall on 28/06/2013 09:13:57:
Mmm…I read that se's were soft soldered…apart from the se made for blakey and griffon for supply to schools which were silver soldered..te's might differ..as to bushes etc. Safety valves have used two different threads..

Quite different sizes..the Old size is 1/4" ww.a larger version exists..the fill plugs are I think 1/4 ..btw pre machined bushes are available…will try to find a address..

of course that should be "griffon and george" ,,,,, b and g were local pharmasists….

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by jason udall on 28/06/2013 12:52:19

of course that should be "griffon and george"

.

Nearly there, Jason

… it's actually "Griffin & George" [ with an i ]

… useful link here

MichaelG.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Not bad for a memory..from the ’70s
Which like steam engins in science class is too only a memory

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Old ones were soft soldered. When we were at boarding school, a guy had a Mamod stationary engine. Not content with the speed, we wired the safety valve shut, put some moth balls in the fire hole and waited for the revs to build up. She was going well until one of end of the boiler blew off !! I guess that at that time, most of the water had been used up and the last blast of steam did its best. Can't remember it ever running again !!

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Up in the Brecon Beacons two mates and I 'melted' a primus stove. We put it out using wet socks.

The one guy (Richard?) soldered it back together and returned it to the school. I just hope it was never used again.

Neil

[John BesleyParticipant @johnbesley21290]

Ok that interetsing, will have to investigate further, wondering about a new boiler but will see what it looks like when I strip the engine down in a week or two.

[TobaccoBurnerParticipant @tobaccoburner]

Posted by Stub Mandrel on 28/06/2013 19:34:12:

Up in the Brecon Beacons two mates and I 'melted' a primus stove. We put it out using wet socks.

The one guy (Richard?) soldered it back together and returned it to the school. I just hope it was never used again.

Neil

Re-assembled many of these during my time as a scout leader. If no leaks no reason not to use.

I suspect the use of soft solder for assembly is deliberate as it permits controlled failure – i.e. on overheating the thing falls apart before there is any significant pressure build up. You may have a local fire but it will not explode and kill you.

By the way Neil, next time, if you pump too soon and get a flare-up undo the pressure release screw in the filler cap. The stove will go out and probably not fall apart. This means you get a second chance at cooking breakfast.

Mike

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Although the stationary engines were brass I have an idea the traction engine and roller had steel boilers. Not sure where mine is at the moment to check. Can't you just put a turret on the whistle valve bush?

[John BesleyParticipant @johnbesley21290]

I had thought of that since the last post as the whistle is "huge" this could be saved for some other project – any idea what the thread size is that mamod use?

[John BesleyParticipant @johnbesley21290]

Currently looking for articles on building Little Ben started in ME 4142

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

From what I see On the Net, silver solder is not used on Mamod boilers. Ian S C

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

From what I can see on the web, Mamod did not use silver solder on its boilers (excepting the Griffin & George ones). Traction engines pre 1963 are bolted together, after that they are pop rivited. Ian S C

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Thanks Mike,

That little episode was 34 years ago and I haven't used Primus since, though!

Neil

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Neil,

I have in my possession over 130 primus type stoves of all shapes and sizes, each one is tried when I purchase it and then never again but all are left in working order. there were many makers but all kept the basic design, I only know of one accident which happened to a friends son when the stove exploded and now the lad has to wear a pressure mask on his face to reduce the scarring which he is told over time will eventually reduce, like all things care must be taken.

Martin P

 

 

Edited By martin perman on 30/06/2013 19:27:19

[TobaccoBurnerParticipant @tobaccoburner]

Posted by Stub Mandrel on 30/06/2013 16:56:38:

Thanks Mike,

That little episode was 34 years ago and I haven't used Primus since, though!

Neil

When the power stations shut, and there is no wind or sun……..my advice – keep in practice.

Mike

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Hexi

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