Copper alloys for model boilers

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MattMaie

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When making model boilers out of copper, what type of copper alloy is used and what wall thickness of tubing should be used to construct the shell?
 
c106 here in the UK but don't know where you are.

Thickness of material is determined by overall diameter, working pressure and size of unsupported areas. eg if using a higher pressure you need thicker wall and if your stays are spaced further apart you will need thcker material on teh flat parts
 
Thanks everyone. I was thinking that perhaps my first build would be a small cross tube boiler, something which is both simple and robust.
 
Here is a short list of Books.
(Maybe not so short ;<)

K.N Harris's book Model Boilers and Boilermaking.
(This one is almost considered the Bible among Boiler Makers)
Found online PDF copy:
http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/424/19-422.pdf

"Model Stationary and Marine Steam Engines" by K.N.Harris
Found online PDF copy:
http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/424/19-423.pdf

Building Simple Model Steam Engines
Books 1 & 2
by Tubal Cain

Making Simple Model Steam Engines
Model Marine Steam
by Stan Bray

Another Article/book to add,
Safety of Copper Boilers by Kozo Hiraoka this nine page article was first in Live Steam & O.R. (Vol. 40 No. 6 Nov-Dec 2006) and is included in Building the New Shay.

Introducing Model Marine Steam
By John Cundell and Jim King.

Model Making 1919 Edition
By Raymond Francis Yates
Also
Boys' Book of Model Boats
By Raymond Francis Yates
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29064...-h/29064-h.htm

Well to branch out into plans here is a link with lots of plans including Elmer's Engines;
http://www.john-tom.com/index.html

From mogogear
I found this compiled list of Steam engine and boiler books that have been scanned into use by Google-- there are links to a pdf file on each book.
Enjoy the over 100 books on this brad subject

http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/google-steam.html

Scale Model Steamboats - by Phillip Vaughan Williams

For those who want to really move along.
"Experimental Flash Steam" by J.H.Benson and A.A.Rayman.

MachinistBlog.comPlans, projects and how-to's for home machinists
http://www.machinistblog.com/bogstan...-engine-plans/

More plans They are in French but very buildable
http://jpduval.free.fr/Plans_moteurs_vapeur_p1.htm
The Oscillating twin cylinder engine is very popular.

This link applies more to full size equipment than models, but does cover steam basics;
http://www.pipingnews.com/steam2.htm

Not really a book but usefull,I found this years back
The Truth about Steam Oil
by Harry Wade
http://www.southernsteamtrains.com/m...-oil-hwade.htm

Tom found a copy through the Library.
"The Steam Launch" by Richard M. Mitchell. Published in 1982 by International Marine Publishing Company.
It is an amazing reference book. For anyone interested in the history, the construction, and literally hundreds of photos of steam launches, steam engines, and steam boilers, and boat drawings and plans, this book is a must have. Unfortunately, it is out of print and must be located through antiquarian book sellers or through a Library.


Books on the steam technics in Russian - coppers, motors, principles of construction and calculations. Can to whom it is useful, who that knows language. In electronic form. Freely to downloading.

http://turbobit.in.ua/otzwshkdhgi6.html

In a collection there is a book of 1910, about steam-engines.

Looks like a great source for ideas.
http://www.thesteamboatingforum.net/forum/index.php
Now if I could only do without sleep I might find time for it all.

Tom found these on Google
"Don't know if this has been talked about already, but Google Books has lots of free steam books as well as other model related stuff that was published like over 70 years ago or whatever the cutoff date is that makes them able to be uploaded for free.

Some examples:

Model Steam Engine Design

Model Engineer's Handy Book

Model Engine Making

The Boy's Book of Engine -building "

Here is a link to a pdf on model Boilers
http://green-trust.org/junkyardproje...delBoilers.pdf
It's only 20 pages.
A bit longer and a lot newer is
Building Small Boilers for Gas Firing
By Alex Weiss Camden Miniature Steam Series

Model Engine-Making in Theory and Practice
Special buy. Limited stock.
by J. Pocock

The information in this reprint first published in 1888 still fascinates readers 125 years later. Anyone interested in learning about or building model steam engines will appreciate the author&#8217;s attention to detail (including over 100 diagrams) and the thoroughness of his written account. The book covers simple single-action oscillating cylinder engines, fixed horizontal and vertical slide-valve engines, launch, marine and locomotive engines and boiler-making.
https://archive.org/details/modelenginemakin00pocorich




Regards,
Gerald.
 

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