8" Steel Scotch Boiler

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Been following your build with great interest. A question about tube expanders. I purchased one used by a/c - refrigeration mechanics for making tube to tube splices etc. without fittings. It uses a hand operated hydraulic pump with tubing adapters for sizes 3/8" to 1-1/2". The price was not prohibitive. Am I wrong in thinking that this tool would do the trick for model boiler builders?
Keep up the great work,
Gene
 
Hi Gene,

Thanks for stopping by.

My 3 in 1 is a Shillito C316 DC machine i.e. it won't weld aluminium and AC machines are big bucks plus this function is not important to me.

Your tube expander sounds OK to me. I found some plans on the net and intend to make my own. Mine will be what is in effect a tapered mandrel. Still with annealed copper and a dollop of tallow I'm hoping To expand the tubes without tooooooo much trouble.

Best Regards
Bob
 
Thanks Div 900,

The major welding is now done but I'm not all that happy so, my pressure welding mates are going to fix it then I'll post some piccys.

Best Regards
Bob
 
Hi Bob

Good to see some progress with this. Looking forward to more...
(no pressure) (except, hopefully, in the boiler....:rolleyes:)

Joe
 
Hi Bob. Looking forward to the piccys.
 
It's great to see people building real boilers.. I miss my old "Wee Chieftans" terribly (even though they were old, cantankerous beasties)
 
Hi Maryak,

Tube sheet very well done.As good as the professional heat exchanger maker.Bought n resupply n repair many tube&shell aftercoolers in the field.
Are you planning to expand steel tubes into tube sheet? A good tube expander will be good investment.

Will be following this thread. Now itching to build a steam boiler but will be limited in size.
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the support. :bow:

Well its all welded together :D

A couple of shots and one of the copper tubes, all 27 of them which I spent today cutting to length :eek:









Best Regards
Bob
 
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