Coal fired boiler plans

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Hi all, I have a smallish single cylinder launch engine (5/8×5/8th&quot and would like to build a vertical boiler that I can coal fire, to go in a nice launch hull.

Do drawings of such an animal exist. Nothing too big please. I have some 3 3/4" copper tube.

Cheers,

Martin

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

MHS have a few designs that you may be able to adapt to suit your tube. Reeves and GLR also have boilers around that size.

You may be better off with a horizontal boiler and gas firing.

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

The reason for going coal fired is to get some real smoke up the chimney and because I don't like all the clobber involved in gas firing, but mainly for the smoke and the smell.

I guess GLR's kits are reasonable, but beyond my resources in one hit.

Cheers,

Martin

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Hi Martin. If you tell me the size of boiler you want I can easily design one for you – for free! Just remember that when the engine is running you may not see any smoke at all, and small coal boilers can be a pig to keep stable when firing. Ive done a few for the 10v but cant remember the piston/stroke for them, likely to be similar. For ease I would build vertical with gas (but dont want to sound my usual negative self!).

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Fizzy, that's very kind of you!

I was going for coal because I love the smell and I wanted smoke. I also didn't want all the clobber that goes with gas. I suppose I could hide some of it under bogus lockers, maybe, but I wouldn't want it all sitting around in what my old boss would call brass bound buggery boxes.

If you could design the clobber either out of the way or into something else, I might consider gas, although I know nothing of how to use it. The tube I have for my boiler is 3 3/4" diameter. I have about 10" of it.

The engine is a 5/8th" stroke x I would say the same in bore. The V10 is 3/4 x 3/4. My hull is 36" long and 8 1/2 beam. It is, in fact, a tug, but by shaving off some stuff and changing scale it makes a nice steam launch which already has a large prop and shaft installed.

Cheers,

Martin

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

guess its more about scale, so tell me how high you want the boiler, and how high you want the chimney and i will get it done for you – also what are your silver soldering skuills like, i can make it simple or complicated! complicated works best!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Thickness of your bit of tube would also be useful to know.

I was suggesting the GLR boiler as a design to modify rather than buying a kit, it gives details of the ME it is featured in.

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

I guess about 8 " overall, plus chimney. Maybe a bit less.

I can silver solder fine, although I've never done a boiler. I can turn the bushes for fittings, no problem.

The problem is one of time, so not too complicated. I have a good size pillar drill, but no milling machine.

If it's easier for you to do it for gas, go with that as everyone is worried about coal firing!

This is very kind of you, fizzy. Are you sure about this? Maybe there's something I can do for you.

Cheers,

Martin

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Jason, I think the copper is about 1/16th" thick. It was the roof exhaust from our old historic ex-working canal boat. One of the few bits we kept.

Sorry I misunderstood your suggestion.

Martin

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

jason beat me to my next question…

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Martin – do you have an account on here so I can PM you?

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Fizzy, yes, I assume so. But I'm not sure how you PM people off this forum.

Martin

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Fiz, anyone who is able to post can be sent a PM.

Martin, easiest way to send one is to find a post by the person and along the bottom of there post is "message Member" click that and type your message.

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

Ah, yes, I see it now, thanks, Jason.

Martin

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Jason – I knew that……

Boiler design started

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

PM sent, fizzy

Martin

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