Boiler for WOMBAT

[Herbiev]

Just a few pics of the boiler under construction

1/2 " tubes finally soldered

Red gum former to press dome

Dome complete and trial fit

 

[Bluecat]

Ooh, that is nice. From what I understand, the boiler shell is steel and only the tubes are copper?
Great work

 

[Herbiev]

Thats correct bluecat. The case is 1/4" thick hydraulic casing and 13 half inch copper tubes silver soldered 45% silver. The dome fabricated from 1.2 mm steel and formed with 12 ton press and a lot of hammering with home made lead hammer

 

[Jasonb]

What thickness are your tube plates? They look a bit thin for what seems about a 4"dia steel boiler

Jason

 

[Herbiev]

Hi Jason
The tube plates are only 3.5 mm thick. I should have used much thicker but being my first ever boiler I made a bit of a boo boo. Anyhow i will give it a good pressure test and see what happens.

 

[Jasonb]

Its not so much the initial test, its what happens a few years down the line as there is very little allowance for wastage (rusting).

Jason

 

[Herbiev]

Rust would be a problem. I got plenty of length so i might just chop the ends off and resolder the tubes in something more sustantial. Oh well. Live and learn

 

[Jasonb]

Do the calcs first rather than just pick up "something more sustantial" its likely to be 5-6mm thick

 

[Dan Rowe]

I Would not consider building a steel boiler in Australia with out a copy of AMBSC Code Part 2. The very minimal cost will more than make up for the lost time and effort to do something over.

The tube sheet specs in the AMBSC steel code are thick enough to not need any additional stays.

Dan

 

[xo18thfa]

I bought a copy of the AMBSC code for steel boiler. Glad I did. There is a lot of useful info in there not only from a design standpoint, but construction methods and techniques.

The AMBSC codes are a great "Reader's Digest" version of codes. Straight forward and easy to understand. Worth the investment.

I got the miniature copper boiler code too. Another good one.

 

[Herbiev]

I shall get a copy of the code and do a rebuild. Thanks to all for the advice. HMEM is a really great site.

 

[Swede]

Definitely take pride in what you've done, you've obviously got great metalworking skills! Nice job so far.