Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Restorations => Topic started by: Loosenut51 on March 08, 2019, 08:06:35 am
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I've worked on a couple of D32 boilers, getting them in & out is a half day job. I'll never tackle one again. (famous last words)
Oh my....I've said that a few times now Bruce myself.....it doesn't get any easier working on these complicated beasts! I feel sorry for the poor bugger who had the job of assembling these in the factory back in the day.
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As far as i am informed, the D28 and the D32 is silver soldered/brazed.
Being so would also explain all the flux discoloration on those boilers.
I stand corrected, I try to forget about working on these. 😒
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As far as i am informed, the D28 and the D32 is silver soldered/brazed.
Being so would also explain all the flux discoloration on those boilers.
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St paul Steam
Whats the easiest way to take the endcap off the stock D32 boiler? Im not sure if its soft soldered silver soldered or brazed.
One that I have a a small split right by the end before it rolls over.
Thanks
it should be soft soldered, Wilesco boilers aren't thick enough for silver brazing. assuming you have the boiler removed, keeping constant flame on the soldered joint & rotating the boiler (or flame) @ the right speed, while pulling on the cap at the first notice of loosening of the joint will get it removed. with the size of that boiler, 2 people with torches would be better, you're going to be fighting sections cooling off before you get it all hot enough to remove. make sure the boiler is held in something securely, whether rotating or stationary, even when freed up the cap may still have a tight fit to the main body of the boiler.
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St paul Steam
Whats the easiest way to take the endcap off the stock D32 boiler? Im not sure if its soft soldered silver soldered or brazed.
One that I have a a small split right by the end before it rolls over.
Thanks
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I've worked on a couple of D32 boilers, getting them in & out is a half day job. I'll never tackle one again. (famous last words)
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LooseNut
That final make of the D32 Boiler is amazing!!!!!
I purchased through Ebay from Weger0_0 from the Netherlands and its a work of art made the way Wilesco should have made it.
Thanks for making the D32 Boiler great Job!!!!
Thank You
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any progress on this ?
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I took mine all to bits. Lucky for me the boiler was fine. It was an exstensive project.
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This thread is bringing back my D32 nightmares. They are just a bugger to work on.
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Hi Daniel, There was also a problem with some of the brass tubing.
When I had one the pipe from the eccentric driven water pump was full of pinholes.
How very sad ... a fabulous looking engine, and Wilesco's Flagship model, but somewhere in middle management or the supply chain, the end customers were seriously let down.
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Looking forward to seeing the replacements for these disasters!
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Hi Daniel, There was also a problem with some of the brass tubing.
When I had one the pipe from the eccentric driven water pump was full of pinholes.
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Those boilers really look NASTY, and I agree that there was a problem with the flux, or the solder composition itself, but don't believe that was the only problem. Looks to me as though there was a problem with the composition of the brass that was used for the boiler itself as well.
Looking forward to seeing these returned to service after being rebuilt as they really should have been built in the first place!
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The D-32 really is a lot of work to take down to bits!
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I once had a fellow steamer send me a D32 to try and refurb it...after taking off dozens of tiny screws and nuts, one look at the state of the boiler and I put it all back as I got it and shipped it back to the owner...I simply could not tackle such a mess without tools I didn't have. My opinion of Wilesco build quality took a hit for sure.
Roger
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Here's the other one , worst case I've even seen.[attachimg=1]
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Here's what mine looked like under the cover :-\
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32005.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32006.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32007.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32008.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32009.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/imageproxy.php?url=http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/ncseverson/d32/d32004.jpg)
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Yes but poor storage discipline and basic boiler maintenance is a slippery slope.
Drain boilers fully between use, open valves , remove whistles.
Store in a lidded plastic box and put silica gel packs in or a tied up sockfull of uncooked rice in the box. This is essential practice when storing in lofts, cellars, outbuildings etc.
Engines kept in doors usually just need draining drying and left open to vent.
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Do you think it was the flux that Wilesco used that caused the rot? That's what I'm leaning towards.
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Here's one of the rotted boilers, very porous and leaks like a sieve [attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4]
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The raw materials have arrived.
Heavy wall 3" copper pipe enough for two boilers
1.5" heavy duty copper pipe
1.2mm copper sheet
0.5mm copper sheet
[attachimg=1]
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I think that's what has kept me away from them Jim, it sure would be nice to see a modern day beefier replacement for the D32 boiler issues. looking forward to the progress of this build thread.
I would advise any potential D32 buyer to fully investigate their purchase before paying over the money. I've researched them after taking mine apart and seeing the green rot all over the boiler where Wilesco had soldered them up and it looks like the flux was eventually corrosive on the thin boiler wall. It's such a common occurrence unfortunately with them.
I run mine now off another boiler, so this thread is very interesting for me to follow.
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I think having an electric element combined with poor maintenance is a contributing factor. Leaving water in boilers long term is a recipe for disaster, these also have a very poor boiler size / capacity, to boiler wall thickness ratio
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Are D32s more prone to this rot? Wilesco boilers in my experience tend to be pretty good imho.
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Interesting to see this as I've bypassed my D32 boiler for the same reason, chronic rot. They are a right proper b#stard to work on that's for sure. The most complicated steam engine that I have ever mucked around with.
I think that's what has kept me away from them Jim, it sure would be nice to see a modern day beefier replacement for the D32 boiler issues. looking forward to the progress of this build thread.
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Interesting to see this as I've bypassed my D32 boiler for the same reason, chronic rot. They are a right proper b#stard to work on that's for sure. The most complicated steam engine that I have ever mucked around with.
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Will most certainly be following this one Karl, a very worthy and interesting project :)
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This will be a very interesting project! I patched the holes on mine since they are hidden under cover, but that is nowhere near as good of a solution as what you've come up with.
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Good idea! The brass they used was so thin. Wish I still had my D32.
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I have two new clients, one in the UK and one in the USA, both need replacement D32 boilers as both have rotted away with chronic dezinc.
The new ones will be silver soldered copper boilers and of a heavier gauge construction. It won't start for a while but I will keep you all updated on progress.
Materials are in and design is under way for now.