Fixing firedoors to copper boiler

[Adrian ThompsonParticipant @adrianthompson73584]

Hi Lads, just got delivery of my new boiler in copper, there are No firedoor fixing grommets, so whats the best way to fit it on without destroying £6000 of boiler, many thanks.

[Adrian ThompsonParticipant @adrianthompson73584]

boiler firedoors

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Whats it show on the drawings? May help to say what the model is.

 

I’ve drilled and tapped my traction engine boiler for teh cylinder but there are thickening plates inside the barrel for the purpose, firedoor has bushes for fitting the hinge

 

J

[Adrian ThompsonParticipant @adrianthompson73584]

Hi Jason, many thanks for the reply, there is no fixing bushes shown on drawings, the boiler is for a 7 1.4 black 5 locomotive, which are sliding doors.

[mgjParticipant @mgj]

Drill and tap into the copper and retain with stainless bolts. Seal with foliac graphite. You are going to have to have a hydraulic test when it is in running setup anyway.

 

How thick is it, and have you asked the people who supply the drawings or made the boiler?

 

If I may suggest it that is not the sort of thing that you get an informed guess on on a forum like this. You get a proper answer form the horses mouth.

 

Jason – saw MJ at Wilton on Saturday and spoke ref TE Tyres and rolling rings. Very helpful.

 

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Whoes drawings and did you ask the boiler maker about it before ordering?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I’m not really a loco man but I’d hazard a guess that this black 5 boiler has four bushes for mounting the door runners.

 

Either the builder was thinking ahead or working to different drawings

 

Jason

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Jason, yes it has.

 

For example, Martin Evan’s Highlander backhead drawings shows the required location for bushes but the backhead plate drawing does not. If you are building in this scale, you should be able to work out for yourself what is needed and if the drawings are in anyway incomplete. Drawings by nearly every source have errors and omissions, but they should be cross checked by the builder to minimise problems and not be blindly worked to.

Edited By KWIL on 22/03/2011 12:04:41

[Adrian ThompsonParticipant @adrianthompson73584]

Hi Lads, Sorry for the delay on answering your posts, the computer servers, being playing up, she’s Martin evans Highlander but the boiler fabrication drawing omits the bushes, so the boiler man has’nt put them on, so i might have a word with the boiler inspc, many thanks to all.

[nick feastParticipant @nickfeast85472]

Hi,

These mounts seem to be omitted from many model loco drawings. I put them on the ‘Charlie’ drawings but I had already built one boiler so I simply mounted the complete door assembly on the cab floor and sealed the joint to the boiler with fire cement. I dont like the idea of drilling holes in a completed boiler, although I know it can be done. Seems sacreligeous somehow.

 

Nick

[Adrian ThompsonParticipant @adrianthompson73584]

Hi Nick, many thanks for the info

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

I have seen reference to fitting the fire doors (two sliding doors and rails) where it is suggested that the rails are mounted by drilling into the backhead and tapping a thread.

Then copper threaded pins inserted to hold the rails.

 

Clive

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Clive, No mention of how thick the backhead was or what to do if you tapped all the way through as you probably would do?

 

Apart from that, a blind threaded bush inserted properly and silver soldered in place is the onlyreliable way, followed by a repeat pressure test in front of the boiler inspector.

 

Who made the boiler without the requisite bushes?

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

How I read it in the book for making the Evening Star was that the copper studs were made with and incomplete thread that would seal itself into the backhead.

I have visions of the threaded portion breaking off and you are left with just the mount part.

Even then I cannot see this method being a problem as the pressure on an 8Ba pin is very small and we all know that the worker is an expert and tried it out on a bit of spare copper?

I think I would have followed the method myself but if I was having a commercial boiler then I would specify mounts anyway but I dont have £1300 plus for a boiler, this was the last quote, previous to the legislation it was £320!

I know all about traceabilty and quality control and could show severe failures of prime equipment that my son has to endure on his deep sea survey boats.

 

Clive

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