Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Bruce, this is beautiful. Great display of talent and creativity! (Attachment Link)

I especially like the way you siamesed the two steam pipes to a single point, with the gauge mounted on top. Way cool!

I'm assuming you finished the firebox with the VHT burnt orange paint? It looks great, and is something I'm considering for a future project.

A couple of questions about the heater cartridge setup: How close were you able to fit the heater cartridge to the brass insert? Do you use any kind of heat-transfer compound when installing?

Congratulations on a really fine job!

Paula

Hi Paula
The cartridge heater is a very snug fit and no heat transfer compound is necessary, generally I have to push the heater in slowly enough to allow the air to escape,  most time because of the irregularities of either the drillbit or cartridge heater there is enough binding as to stay in place when tipped on end,, generally I find out where it goes in easy and give a slight twist and that locks it in place.