Minnie Traction Engine – Damper Hinge Plate

[Dominic BramleyParticipant @dominicbramley60728]

Hi,

I’m slowly making progress on my Minnie TE, and now on to the ashpan where I am having to accomodate some eccentricities in my boiler….

The plans call for the damper flap hinge plate to be riveted onto the front of the firebox which extends below the foundation ring.  However my firebox is a little short in this area and is only coming about 3.5mm below the foundation – so I’m not sure ill have enough material to rivet into as drawn.

I was initially thinking I could stick the hinge on with a high heat JB Weld – but have just come across some reports that it is not good as an adhesive. So question is – would standard JB Weld be heat resistant enough for this area – or should I be finding another way to attach it?

Tapping holes in the 1/4 inch foundation ring and screwing it to that I guess is possible, but seems a little scary at this point!..

Any Suggestions?

Dom

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

JB Weld holds amazingly well so would be upto the Adhesive side of things. However I think that you may find the temperatutre of the inner firebox plate might get to over its limit. Hard to tell if the water cavity will wick away enough heat to stop the JBW being damaged.

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

I had the same problem and fixed the hinge plate to the ashpan – it’s not a totally satisfactory solution because you have to disconnect the control rod when dropping the ashpan, but it works.

What doesn’t work is the control rod as drawn, especially as it gets pretty hot so you want to be touching it for as short a time as possible. The angle it’s trying to pull the damper flap through isn’t right, the hinge it attaches too would be better with an extension forward and upward – I’d suggest a bit of experimentation before riveting or soldering the hinge to the flap. A thicker rod would be help too.

 

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

I don’t like the idea of drilling into the foundation ring to fix the ashpan hinge, it would be better if you can have the hinge fixed to the ashpan as a unit, I’m sure you could come up with a practical solution.

MichaelR

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Ashpan for Durham & North Yorkshire 2″ Scale

Dominic, This will give you some idea.

MichaelR

[Dominic BramleyParticipant @dominicbramley60728]

Thanks for the replies and pictures!

Attatching it to the ashpan could be a goer although I have annoying already made the hinges and soldered them onto the flap. Will give it some thought…

The other thought I have had is maybe losing the back part of the hinge plate and just JB welding it to the foundation ring.  Pesumably that should only get to roughly the same temperature of the boiler water?

Dom

[Richard BParticipant @richardb44403]

I’m currently looking at starting the ash pan so very topical for me !

I wish there were more GA drawings as visualising takes much longer without. If I’ve got it correct this might be an option?

As you have 3.5 mm of copper available you might be able to tap say 8/10 ba using a few more fixings. I won’t rivet mine I don’t think – too much risk of damaging the boiler.
You could also add a small backing plate so it’s through bolted which would help ensure it’s stays vertical.

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