This boiler is a mystery to me.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

I bought this small partially completed boiler from the "for sale" section on here very cheaply. The seller told me he has no knowledge of engineering and could only say that he acquired it together with a 5" chassis of an Aspinall 0-6-0 although he did not know if this boiler was supposed to go with the chassis. Personally, without a conventional firebox I cannot see it being built for aforementioned loco but I may be wrong.

So can I ask – does anyone have any idea about it?

The main body of the boiler is seamless thick walled copper tube 260mm long x 120mm diameter. The end plates are also thick copper and have been copper "welded" into position. Excuse my terminology but I have never built a boiler before or for that matter silver soldered anything.

The smaller piece of tubing at one end is 105mm long x 55mm diameter. It to has been copper welded to the end plate and is fitted with a similarly welded end cap which has been drilled .640" diameter. Also, this smaller tube has had an hexagonal threaded bush silver soldered to it (the only bit of silver soldering on the boiler) also a small elbow is fitted and secured on the inside by a nut but not yet soldered. The void in this smaller piece of tube is part of the void in the main boiler barrel.

Either side of this smaller piece of tube are two bits of .5" diameter tube which are extensions of tube which continue through the main boiler body to the other end, one terminating at an elbow loosely fixed to the end plate and the other one terminating at an hexagonal bolt head (I am assuming it's a bolt but I have not yet undone it to look).

The nine fire tubes are loosely positioned and yet to be soldered.

I would very much like to build something around this – what is for me a mystery – so would appreciate any comments / advice.

One final thing, If I can get this project of the ground I would need to pay someone to complete this boiler so advice as to who might do it would be handy.

Rik

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It's sort of like a Briggs boiler with a round upper part over the firebox, instead of half-round. My guess is it's an experiment that would require an odd-shaped insulated firebox.

Neil

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Thanks for that Neil – I see what you mean by a Briggs. As you are the only responder to this thread I guess I am out on a limb on this hunk of copper. I do not belong to a model engineering club but I have in the past been invited to attend a club day as a guest at one local to me. So next Tuesday I intend trundling this lump along and picking a brain or two.

Rik

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Took the boiler along to the local ME club this morning and was introduced to the resident boiler inspector who proceeded to inspect. I was heartened when his eyes lit up and he said "I've seen this before". "Where"? says I hopefully. With a twinkle in his eye he replied " In the photos you posted on the ME forum!"……..wise guy eh?

At this rate I can feel a visit to the scrap man coming on.

Rik

 

Edited By Rik Shaw on 22/04/2014 14:59:14

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

At least he didn't say "in the NAAFI – they were making tea in it!".

If it meets the inspector's safety requirements you could cut off the 'odd' end and fit a belpaire firebox. Perhaps.

Neil

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

It couldnt possibly meet with the current safety requirements (some of which defy any logic whatsoever I hasten to add!). You would need material certs for the copper and be coded/have tests for the welds. Chop both ends off and start again is the best advice I can offer.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Fizzy – Thanks for chucking cold water on my boiler – I am steaming!

Rik

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Sorry Rik…im not one of the armchair doom and gloom merchants who readily infest this site I can assure you…I could get it through the test if you realy wanted, but the ndt testing would be expensive.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Thanks Fizzy – I guess NDT means non destructive testing. What does that involve and what sort of qualified person is capable of carrying out such a test?

By the way, thanks for your offer of help.

Ruk

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

DEPENDING ON HOW YOUR INSPECTOR READS THE BOOK…an ndt mag partical test with cert would be about 60 squids..if it passes!

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

I thought MPI only used for ferrous materials… would not expect it to work for copper.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

aghhh…..David you are of course correct, I had my new boiler in mind which is steel. There should be no problem using dye-pen?

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