loco “twisted”

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

boiler/ smokebox looks twisted

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

An unusual help request. I have been assembling the boiler on my Britannia and when fitted to the smokebox when fitted both the smokebix and boiler look to have an off square look. I thought it could be an illusion, but I tried a small spirit level on the chimney and firebox end of the boiler and they are both not level. I am sure they were OK on previous trial assemblies so I cant understand whats gone wrong. I thought it might have something to do with the grate assembly, baffled and any suggestion would be most gratefully accepted!

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

As a starter, is the chassis and wheels set up "square" in all respects before you mount the boiler?

Mick

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks for the reply, I did not build the chassis, but it all looked square to me. I am going to strip it down today. I do suspect the grate mounting has something to do with the problem, but doesn't explain the smokebox not being OK, unless the boiler is twisting this

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Have you tried setting the loco level by supporting it by the bottom of the main frame plates rather than on its wheels? If you say the smoke box and chimney are out then I would suspect the mainframes are not set level.
regards Martin

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks for the reply, I have to admit that the loco was not flat on the bench, but I did not see this until this morning, loco was resting (on one side) on a rogue spanner. Posted in good faith but apologies to the respondents. It was a huge relief as I had no idea how to get it sorted!

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Ah the famous spanner in the works.

Nice easy fix then.

regards Martin

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