Boiler Test Fitting

[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a not bad looking 3.5 Rob Roy and I'd like to perform a hydro test on the boiler. I have a rothenberger hand pump with a 1/2" bsp fitting but I am struggling to find an adaptor to fit it to the boiler. Can anyone suggest to me where I could find such a fitting?

Regards

Shaun

[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Any hydraulic pipe supplier can make one with the adaptors from Rothenberg pipe to the bsp fitting on the boiler or you can make an adaptor with bsp on one end and the fitting size on the other.

David

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Just to be clear that would be a very unusual Rob Roy if it has a BSP thread on the boiler David. The likely threads will be 26tpi, 32tpi or at a push 40tpi and to the best of my knowledge you won't get a fitting from an industrial source in any of these threads. Usual way to address this is to make your own. However as pointed out by br you will probably find something that can be adapted from one of the model engineering suppliers. Measure the OD and the thread pitch and then have a scout around the web sites.

Paul.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

I don't think Shaun said 1/2" BSP on the boiler, he was referring to the pump. Easy enough to make an adaptor, assuming you have a lathe of course.

Bill D.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

Hi guys,

First off thanks for all the advice, great community!
Yes I should have been more specific, the fittings on the rob roy are as standard and I think the smallest reducer I have for the pump is 1/4bsp.
I don’t have access to a lathe at the moment, I’m hoping to join my local club but might be a while till I can get along there so I’m stuck with trying to source the parts for now.

I had a search online and found this,

**LINK**

Would this be of any use?
You’ll have to excuse my complete ignorance of measurements I’m quite new to model engineering!

Regards

Shaun

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

Your linked connector isn't suitable. 5/16" JIC is 24 threads per inch. I don't know the RR boiler design, but I'm certain that it won't have any 24tpi threads in th bushes if its to ME standards.

[RedsetterParticipant @redsetter]

Can I point out that the loco's own hand pump is perfectly adequate for a basic hydraulic test?

Edited By Redsetter on 31/05/2021 16:27:27

[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

I did think that connector was a long shot, In regards to the side tank pump, I had considered that and tried it briefly but if anything it just highlighted some leaks along the copper pipping up to the boiler inlet valve. Perhaps if try and sort the leaks I could give that another try.

Shaun

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[RedsetterParticipant @redsetter]

Posted by Shaun Johnston on 31/05/2021 16:33:14:

I did think that connector was a long shot, In regards to the side tank pump, I had considered that and tried it briefly but if anything it just highlighted some leaks along the copper pipping up to the boiler inlet valve. Perhaps if try and sort the leaks I could give that another try.

Shaun

You will need a properly working hand pump for your steam test, so best to get that sorted first.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hi Shaun, I would strongly recommend that the FIRST thing you do is join your local club ! The rothenberger prufpump is capable of raising in excess of 500PSI and could do irreparable damage to your boiler if not used with great care ! The rothenberger gauge is quite small. For more accurate readings I would consider T ing in a 4" 0-300psi Gauge, a good one ! If I understand correctly you are new to the hobby ? Take your time, your locomotive is a precision machine and could so easily be damaged by lack of understanding – hence joining a club where there will be many who will advise and help you to avoid pitfalls. Check the thread of your boiler ! BSP 1/2" is no problem but 5/16 X26 I do not have, 32 tpi I do have and can make up an adaptor for you. Good luck, Noel.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Br does does not look like you have sent him any PM's so unlikely to get a reply.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

Thanks again everyone for your input, much appreciated. Yes I am new to model engineering but not to steam locomotives, I have a reasonable amount of footplate experience but have spent very little time in a workshop!
Trying to get my head around all the different sizes for fittings has been the most straining part so far.
Bill I’m sorry I hadn’t replied to you previously, I’d be more than grateful if you were able to have an adaptor made, I thought I’d see if there were any other options first to save you the trouble!

Regards

Shaun

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

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[Shaun JohnstonParticipant @shaunjohnston89655]

I think considering everything my course of action will be to get the tank hand pump fittings free of leaks, from there I can hopefully use that as a pump for the hydraulic test and continue from there and in the mean time I will contact my club nearby and see about getting along there.
With this being the case could someone be as kind as to tell me what size copper pipe I should use and the fitting sizes for the front boiler inlets?

thanks again

Shaun

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