Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: Steamburns on April 12, 2025, 01:34:28 pm
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Reamed and tapped in an oil cup.
This was a simple and fun experience. First time tapping, and it worked great. Used a chart for what impact bit is needed to tap 3/16-40 UST tapered, which is 5/32”.
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That is a clever idea for those pipe supports . Nice repurposing of old parts .
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Update:
Secured the blowdown pipe with a bracket connected to the firebox, preventing the jet of blowdown pushing the pipe upwards.
This was painted red indicating hot boiler pressure water.[attachimg=1]
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Very nice looking and running. Well done!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuVCR6yDKPI
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Update:
Larger burner installed - this should perform much better at steam production. Awaiting the proper gas jet.
Also, put on a globe valve on the water pipe with a blue color indicative of water. This will be closed when emptying your boiler to prevent boiler vacuum from sucking up water from your water cup.
Next on the list is to make stanchion supports for the water line.
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
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Update:
Custom steam line/ pipe stanchion support.
Since I am no machinist I have to make do with what I got. I can do small cuts and things with my dremmel tool and other hand tools, but can’t fully machine parts, at this present time.
I had some old doll parts laying around from a broken 365. I found that the connecting rod fits wonderfully around 1/4” pipe. Sat there and came up with the design. Found some old stanchion supports for the crankshaft and cut the connecting rod to length then dremmeled a notch in the stanchion support.
The soldering was very tricky. Had to use special hand vices to get it to stay upright while I put flux and solder into the joint. Multiple failed attempts and I got it.
Mounting the stanchion support onto the metal plate was the tougher one, determined it needed 2 metal washers under neath.
Now, the steam line is solid and stiff. Doesn’t move not even a little bit. Can yank on the whistle or glove valve and nothing moves.
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=4]
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Snapped a few cool photos:
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
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Lookin' good Travis.
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Very nice job you should enjoy your fine accomplishment
Bob
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Thank you @ ALL!
Still minor tweaks and little things here and there but it sure turned out nice.
I’ve learnt a lot along the way. This plant has a very “authentic” feel to it, almost as if it is a real steam plant.
Wait a second, it is a real steam plant just on a much smaller scale!
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Good looking steam plant - well done!
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Looks good from here ........ I'll take it!!! ;c)
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Super nice steam plant.
As said above your skills are steadily improving.
Very well done, Travis...!!!
Gil
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We decided this weekend to add a larger burner and a larger gas tank. Those have been ordered. So, a bit more to come.
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Really amazing and beautiful steam plant, thanks for sharing!
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Blowdown installation.
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
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Very nice work Travis, your skills are getting better with each project. as far as getting the supply water pipe square vertically, it's a simple matter of cutting off a bit of pipe & rethreading a bit more.
@SPS This seemed to work for me. Used 2. 45° joints and adjust them until I got the pipe nice and square up and down. Looks way better!
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
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That turned out beautiful you did an excellent job!!!
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Very nice work Travis, your skills are getting better with each project. as far as getting the supply water pipe square vertically, it's a simple matter of cutting off a bit of pipe & rethreading a bit more.
Thanks, @SPS!
I have shorter pipe nipples, should I try that? The bushing hole is still not flush but I suspect a shorter pipe nipple should help.
I am going to graduate next time to using copper pipe, though the soldering is a real son of a gun, at times.
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Very nice work Travis, your skills are getting better with each project. as far as getting the supply water pipe square vertically, it's a simple matter of cutting off a bit of pipe & rethreading a bit more.
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Great job!
A masterpiece.
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Well it is complete. Entirely leak free, and fresh gland packing.
Spent a solid 30+ hours on this.
Everything works well, and will post a video of it in operation soon!
I have tested it in full operation everything works very well!
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5a3k8DYUI