Smokebox inner ring

[Michael CallaghanParticipant @michaelcallaghan68621]

Hi. I am rebuilding the Martin evans Columbia locomotive and have hit a problem. Inside the smokebox there is a joining ring the is riveted to the boiler and the smokebox itself slides over this. In the original model this ring was made from aluminium which had over time reacted to the heat and smoke dust. I was thinking of remaking this ring out of brass. However the poor quality of brass available and my rollers being unable to bend brass at anything thicker than 1mm. I was wondering what other metal I could use for this part. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

An idea of therings cross section and diameter would help.

 

Copper flat strip springs to mind as does closing down a short length of the next size up copper tube. Turning from thick wall tube either steel or hollow bronze would be another option.

[Michael CallaghanParticipant @michaelcallaghan68621]

Hi, the ring needs to be 25mm wide. And thick enough to hold firm the joint between boiler and smokebox. Also it needs to be able to take the rivets which hold it to the lip of the boiler.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Can you a) anneal the strip to make it more bendable and b) at the part where it needs to be thick add a second ring soldered in. More hassle but gets you there.

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