Sorry it came over heavy Steve, but I make no excuse for stopping someone in their tracks if it avoids personal injury. The reference work I mentioned, (and KEEP mentioning) gives virtually everything necessary for the SAFE design and construction of a model boiler, thus the reference to "Search"
At least one of our members, whose boiler design is deposited in the plans section, would no doubt be able to tell a few horror stories to emphasize the care required to build them properly. We've managed to avert one possible "Near miss" from a garage or car boot purchase, so the 14 X 5 brass tube purchaser hasn't read Firebirds' saga.Why Brass? is it cos it would look "Neat" polished up? Working boilers ain't bling! If made correctly they can be tarted up, but the primary object is SAFETY, and I make no excuse for shouting that one.
Brass for boilers? why not, as long as the limitations of the material are understood! As I posted, one British manufacturer used it exclusively, but at a very LOW pressure. "I know, lets use steel or even stainless cos they're strong" Yep and that's an even bigger bag of worms. Going down to the car boot this weekend to see if I can find a bit of tube to make a small nuclear reactor, sound silly? Its ONLY a pressure vessel.
Sorry for the rave guys but the simplistic view taken on some aspects of our hobby can certainly lead to tears before bedtime and I don't believe that anyone SERIUOSLY contemplating building a miniature BOMB can't bash a few keys and get info via the tinternet using search.
Regards in the interest of safety, Ian