Some boiler questions (and hopefully my progress)

[Brookesy]

My brain hurts... Reading, reading, reading, sketching, drawing and so far I've managed to flesh out the basics of a design-as-you-go engine based (loosely) on 'Steve's Simple Engine/Boiler' using materials I have on hand (mostly left over from my attempts 25+ years ago) as much as possible. Hopefully the end result will be an oscillating engine of approx. 12 mm bore with a 50 mm diameter copper boiler.

I'll put my questions here as they come to mind.

Question #1 - Silver Solder: I have a few bits left over but they won't go far. Can any Aussies please advise a good product/silver %/source for silver solder?

Bearing in mind future projects will increase in size etc.

Thanks Folks

 

[bazmak]

I have just ordered some from Wayne Roberts at $20 per stick
ME model engineering supplies Melbourne You can download
his extensive catalouge and price list for most things including castings
and fittings etc.Not cheap but good service

 

[Brookesy]

Thanks for that.

Looking around suggestions are generally 40% silver. Any comments would be great

 

[abby]

Brookesy for such a small oscillator a soft soldered boiler would be quite adequate , good enough for Mamod !
Dan.

 

[bazmak]

I think 45% is the std but soft solder may be adequate for sealing if the
joints are also mech. fixed. Ie rivited the soft soldered for sealing
Soft solder is poor for a mech joint until it has a large surface area
it tends to crack with time,movement or vibration

 

[fcheslop]

I realise this company is a bit to far away from you but the site has some very good information about and also using silver solder products
For a simple pot boiler in copper I would still silver solder it even if its just to practice or hone up some skills
Iv recently started making a small batch of Bowman Peter Pan steam boats with a nice little wobbler
Here is the link http://www.cupalloys.co.uk/for-model-engineers/
Good luck with the build
kind regards
frazer

 

[Brookesy]

Thanks for the replies folks. Yes indeedy, this project is all about using mostly what I already have in the shed and rubbing the rust off skills I haven't used for a very long time, so silver soldering is high on the list. I'll check out that site.

 

[texta]

bunnings in toowoomba carry a good range of solder's thats where i get mine from .

 

[Brookesy]

Thanks mate. I'm in Warwick so it's not that far. Bunnings here is a bit limited
I bet it's hot in Texas today

 

[texta]

no probs . samios plumbing in toowoomba carry a good range of copper pipe if you need any of that .

 

[Brookesy]

Thanks mate. Good to know

 

[Brookesy]

Well folks, I have another boiler related question...
The steam engine is coming along and I'm ready to silver solder the frame so it's time to build a brazing hearth. Fire bricks are about $20 (Au) each here and CalSil is very expensive - about $30+ (Au) for a piece about 250 x 120 mm. Looking at Hebel blocks they're a lot cheaper but they're 'special order' at Bunnings, not kept in stock. The Q: Has anyone used Hebel blocks for a hearth and also does anyone know a stockist?

 

[deeferdog]

Hi Brooksey,
I made a small wedding/braizing box and lined it with Hebles from Bunnies. Never had any issues. Hope this helps. Cheers, Peter.

 

[Cogsy]

Don't know what you have in your area but I went to an 'artsy' type little pottery shop here in Perth and got super lightweight insulation bricks for about $6 each. Same shape and size as a normal brick but almost the weight of Styrofoam. I just keep them loose and arrange them into the shape I need as I need them.

 

[Brookesy]

Thanks fellas,
Good to know the Hebel is ok.
I'll be going through Brisbane tomorrow so I'll check around. The bigger Bunnings might stock it

 

[MRA]

This is an old thread - but I thought I might mention that the ceramic (?) radiant panels out of an old gas fire make OK material for building hearths out of, and if you can find a scrap gas fire they're free!