The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

oldstuff · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:19 am Post subject: Scratch Building

This subject's been getting some play, so merits it's own topic.

I've thought about making a simple stationary engine from everyday odds and ends.
What are the advantages, disadvantages of possible boiler materials? Brass is ideal,
but copper is cheaper and steel pipe virtually free of cost.
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-Chuck

Twin-cylinder, CSE-3

"Put that in your Dremel!"

niluht · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: B.C. Canada

Actually, boiler design and construction is one of the things I hope to learn via this forum.

From the very little I know about boilers, I thought copper was a prefered choice. Better heat conductivity is one reason and another may be better formability (easier to bend into interesting shapes).

Steel is probably low on the list because of corrosion problems- worse with elevated temperatures.

Speaking of boilers, can anyone tell us the difference between T. Cains' book 1 and book 2? I see that both are available and seem to be a good starting point on the subject.

Cheers,
Jeff

Wallace · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:35 am Post subject:

Good topic oldstuff

With my brother building his scratch built engine, he used copper pipe as the boiler, with soldered end plates, rather than caps.
With my recent finding of Dezincification, I'd prefer copper unless you knew the zinc content of the brass you use.

Other good parts to use are gasfitting parts, esp for taps/throttles.
Bathroom fittings like handrails/toilet roll holders, for brass chimneys/engine frame brackets

I know I've put it up before, sorry i can't find static picture of his engine at the moment, but this one is made from such parts mentioned above.
Also, gal steel for firebox, but burn the gall off outdoors first
Releif valve is from a hot water system. And yes, the engine frame are brackets from toilet roll holders

And the parts he made for his Bing vertical engine below. Only specialised tool he used was a flaring tool

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Steve_S · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

Every time I see a picture of that engine I'm utterly amazed....

yosa · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:33 am Post subject:

Every time I see it I dribble all over my keyboard.

A work of art.

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Sandman · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:58 am Post subject:

Model engineering at its best , and a credit to your brother Wallace.

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Did someone mention Bowman?

Wallace · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:12 am Post subject:

Cheers guys, I'll pass the info on.

Wish I had the skill. I'm ok with wood, but not too good with metal making, except SE3 burners

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tmuir · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:03 pm Post subject:

niluht · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: B.C. Canada

Thanks tmuir,

Jeff.

oldstuff · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

Great vid of an outstanding engine...I admired that engine from visits to your website. Please pass along to him how pleased we would all be to have him stop by and take a bow.

So copper is pretty good choice for scratch-built boilers?
_________________
-Chuck

Twin-cylinder, CSE-3

"Put that in your Dremel!"

Wallace · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:45 am Post subject:

tmuir · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:44 am Post subject:

Copper is actually better to build your first engine from rather than brass. It has a higher melting point so more forgiving is you hold the blow torch still a little too long, it also dosen't go brittle with age like brass so will last longer but we are talking about it lasting 200 years instead of 80 - 100 years.

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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

sparky · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:58 am Post subject:

yeh

maby even a bit longer

oldstuff · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

How about some ideas for making pistons and cylinders? Materials, techniques?

This seems to be the hardest job, but once solved should be fairly easy to get started.

_________________
-Chuck

Twin-cylinder, CSE-3

"Put that in your Dremel!"

Wallace · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:12 am Post subject: