The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

mc_mc · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject: Burner Prototype

IndianaRog's recent burner exploits have inspired me to have a go myself.

So I thought I would have a go at making a vaporising Luton type burner with a 'hidden' wick inside a tube with notches cut in it.

So here are some pictures of my progress so far. (ignore the bend in the end of the wick pipe it was some scrap that I was practising with

).

I soldered it inside and out (just to be sure) and it seems to be air tight and so hopefully it will be meths tight.

Since that is my third attempt at soldering I am really pleased. Everything went to plan and nothing went wrong.

I'll keep you posted with updates.

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

Hey Mike,

Glad my effort inspired you...no better way to learn than to DO it!

Question on your "tank"...are the side and bottom seams soldered or just crimped? IF it will hold water I'm sure it's fine. As you solder make sure area is clean, bare metal (wipe down with a bit of meths on a rag is a good practice)...then be sure to flux it well (vasolene like stuff from hardware store) before applying the solder. Some solder comes with a flux core in it's center so it fluxes as it goes, but I prefer the kind I can glop on with a cotton bud.

Keep us informed!!
Rog
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject:

I also slap on flux seperatly!

Looks good! just have to be slightly careful when making home made burners

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mc_mc · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

Yep, the container is water tight and so I hoped it would be meths tight as well.

I rubbed down with wet and dry paper the outside and inside (got rid of the paint) and then drilled a hole, the drill tore the thin metal up a little but it seemed okay after a bit more wet dry treatment.

The pipe was a good tight fit so I smeared everything with flux (probably too much!) and then soldered the outside. I then did the inside with a lot less flux.

I'm now thinking that I should of sawed the vaporisation slots into my meths pipe before soldering it to the burner, I'll have to be a little more careful doing it now . But that's why you build a prototype first!

I will do all my testing outside with a wet towel and supply of water handy. A few fireballs will just add to the fun.

James · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 10:52 pm Post subject:

Looks good mate

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mc_mc · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

James · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject:

It does actually look good

Better than I could do anyways

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Lincolnshire!
"The wealthy and great
May roll in their state
I envy them not, I declare it
I eat my own lamb
My chicken and ham
I shear my own fleece and I wear it!"

mc_mc · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:13 pm Post subject:

Steve_S · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject:

You're exactly right mc, you have to just do it... and you'll often surprise yourself!

It's a good start, and the next one you make will be better... it's a confidence thing really. It's a great idea to use scraps first, in fact it's not a bad idea to continue using scraps, that's what I do quite a lot. I haven't made a burner of the multi-slotted type, but I've thought about it. One awkward aspect of them is that you need some way of feeding the wick in from the end of the tube. The Luton burners have a screw on cap to let you do that.

tmuir · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:13 am Post subject:

Its always much more pleasing when you make something yourself.
I know that was just your practice run but remeber at what ever height you put the wick tube the meths level must be kept below that or the meths will leak out the wick tube so the practice one could only ever be half filled.
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oldstuff · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:27 am Post subject:

Nice going there, mc! Soldering is very neatly done. I'd say
you're off to a great start. Looking forward to your updates!

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MooseMan · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

Lookin' good....one word of caution, don't fill the container above the level of your burner tube.
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Wallace · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:06 am Post subject:

Looks great mc.

Coming up nicely

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mc_mc · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

mc_mc · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

The tins I am recycling came from a Christmas present they were filled with little chocolates (four different flavours and so four tins).

Each one has a tight fitting metal lid with a transparent plastic insert. They are water tight as is. I am going to see if the plastic is a problem, if it melts I'll solder in a metal plate instead, but it will be quite handy to be able to just check the meths level at a glance. I was going to punch a hole in the plastic to act as a vent and to refill you just have to take the lid off.

They measure 80mm (3 inches) diameter by 45mm (1&3/4 inches) high. And so will hold quite a bit of meths even half full.