Bassett-Lowke 2 1/2 inch flying scotsman

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Sorry about the sideways pictures, not sure how to change that but gives you an idea what it was like to now.

Still more I'm going todo but it's a start, I hand made everything with strips and sheet brass.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Had a quick look at the cylinders to and the valve covers, there's really isn't much meat on them to take a union of today's sizes so I do wish I had the originals.

The only option I can see is to screws in the pipe work which I really didn't want to do, I wanted to be able to take it all apart as much as needed.

I wonder if anyone has these fittings in there work shop, the pipe is 3/16 but I can't find a union that's smaller than 5/32 to be threaded into the casting, there's only around 6mm to play with.

So to leave any meet would mean I can't drill to big a hole., difficult for anyone to help by just an email I'm sure

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Sorry I meant 5/16 union, which obviously is to big for the valve covers, theres not that much meat to be able to drill that size hole, I think my best bet is to send the covers off and see if someone could make me a special fitting, if anyone knows someone please let me know.

I'm happy to pay to get the problem solved…

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Misaligned exhaust holes to add to the problems, I'm not giving up…

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Derek, have a look at the product catalogues in this **LINK** and select Wade Compression Fittings. You may be able to find something suitable. These are industrial fittings, but you should be able to find suppliers to industry that deal with pneumatics to source them from.

Regards Nick.

P.S. Just search for Wade compression fittings on the web and you should be able to find someone you are happy to deal with.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 18/09/2016 15:42:33

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Thanks Nick I will check that out…

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

I've had a quick look Nick, and yes there could be dome that would fit, but all the thread types confuse me and what ones, taps and drills I'd need 😩

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Derek, don't worry too much about all the different types of screw thread as these cover applications you will never use. Just look for those that are BSPT or BSP Parallel. The BSPT will probably be the best type for your application, parallel ones will need a sealing washer and/or a back nut. The choice of imperial or metric may be decided on the O/D of the pipe you are using. Once you have decided on the fitting, you can find the size of the tapping drill from various thread tapping charts. I would personally use BSPT and imperial size O/D pipe.

Regards Nick.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi nick

Thanks for your time on this, I found one that says 3/16 pipe X 1/8 male, is the second part the threaded but that would screw into the hole? 1/8 seems to small

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Sorry Nick, it's just clicked. The 1/8 is the tube size coming out the other side.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

I've found one that say 3/16x 1/8male but unsure what tap that requires, sorry I know I should know this.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

I've found this 3/16 x 1/4 but it dosent say the OD so unsure if this is the same size as the steam fittings that don't fit.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

BSP threads refer to some measure of Internal Diameter – they are BIG externally eg 1/8th is 9.3mm and 1/4 13.16mm – BSPT is a taper thread which means expensive taps and dies – the BSPP is parallel but will need some sealant I guess

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Thanks Frances, I did think maybe the external would be big.

So I don't lose interest I think I will shelve the cylinders until the rest of the train is done, the cylinders is the part I will need help with and to save annoying everyone on here with my stupid questions I will leave them until another day.

Many thanks

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

When the train is more ready I will see how much room there is, maybe be easier to design new cylinder covers from brass with enough meat to take a normal of the shelf steam union…

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Derek, you should not need a die. If you use 1/8" then you need to drill the tapping hole 8.75mm or 11/32" and if you use a 1/4" you need to drill the tapping hole 11.8mm. Tracy Tools, who advertise in the Shopping Partners on the right of these pages, do reasonably priced carbon steel taps, which is all you'll need for a couple of holes.

Don't feel stupid about questions you don't know the answer too, after all this is one of the main points about this forum.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 18/09/2016 19:38:08

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi Nick

The problem is which you can see from the valve cover pictures, I have only about 6mm of meat to drill/tap into.

I can bet there's plenty of easy options with the correct tools and skills, I wonder if a better designed valve cover would work, I will have to keep think on that one.

Many thanks for your help so far.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi

Just one quick question for anyone who has time to answer, I have 3/16 copper pipe, if I wanted to screw this into the valve covers with a nut what size tap and die would you need, Google says 10/24.. If this is true what would be the drill size. It maybe the only solution I can find to screw the pipes in so this is just an idea if all else fails.

Many thanks

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

this is the American UNC #10 (the 24 = tpi) – recommended tap drill 3.9mm – 3/16 BSW has the same tpi + tap drill but with a Whitworth thread – 3/16 BSF has a finer 32 tpi (tap drill 4.1mm)

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Use ME threads 3/16" x 40 tpi as long as the copper is thick enough.

I have a spare set if you want to borow them.

Cheers,

Julian

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Thank you Julian I may just do that when comes to the job, considering the size of the engine do you think screwing in the steam pipes would be OK?

Regards Del

[Author]

Posts