Looking for Steam Boiler for my Tug Project

[everglades]

I have been building a Dumas Brooklyn Steam Tug and have everything for it except the boiler. I have not been able to come up with a reasonable (cost wise) boiler that will fit in the hull. The engine will be a Graham TVR-1A.

I would appreciate any tips.

Fernando

Here is the link to the project build.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836110&highlight=brooklyn+steam

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Fernando,
With a handle of "everglades" can we assume that you are in Florida? If you are have you checked with any of the Model Engineering Groups, Live Steamers in your area? You may be able to find someone to either make one for you or help you make your own.
Regards,
Gerald

[steveciambrone]

What is your budget?

If your handy, which helps in live steam, a bit of reading and some practice you can make a boiler for the cost of materials. Which makes it a dirt cheap project to build a boiler.

Thanks
Steve

[ropanach]

www.yesteryeartoys.com
Hope this helps

[everglades]

I'm pretty handy and willing to try to build one out of raw materials. I would need plans however. Any clues would be helpful.

My budget for one already built (or a kit) would be around $300.

I no longer live in Florida and have relocated to NJ (Bergen County).

Thanks to all.

[Archibald H.]

Maccsteam (UK) makes good looking boilers. They sell basic versions too.

http://www.maccsteam.com

Lotsa succes. Grtz, A!H.

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Fernando,
The "Bible" on Boilers is K.N. Harris's Model Boilers & Boilermaking. Stan Bray has a couple of Books on steam that may help, His Model Marine Steam has some boiler plans and ideas in them. Paddleduck form http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/ has some plans in their download section ( You have to be a participating member to down Load). Have you any experience doing silver soldering, and do you have access to a lathe? Do a Google for Society of Model Engineers , Live Steamers etc. in your area most groups have someone who is willing to help.
Regards,
Gerald

[steveciambrone]

I agree with the references above, all are good sources. This is the first time I looked at Maccsteam, very reasonable prices even with the currrent exchange rate, willing to do custom orders also. I think he has been selling on Ebay for sometime also. You could buy all you need from one source, boiler, fittngs, burner, and tank. The 2.5" horizontal boiler would work fine for the Graham engine.

Steve

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

If you are up to building one from scratch, check the local bookstores for
Model Marine Steam by Stan Bray - ISBN# 1-59114-493-0

:)

[everglades]

Thanks Umi. I just ordered the book.

[everglades]

I'm in the process of sourcing the parts to build a horizontal boiler. In the mean time, I came across this setup. Apparently it burns alcohol. do you guys think this would work in the Brooklyn?

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Fernando,
What size is the engine in the photo? If its volume is close to your Graham TVR-1A it would probably work.
Regards,
Gerald

[steveciambrone]

I saw the same boiler and burner on Ebay, it is an Aster boiler and runs on methanol, it was intended for there twin and triple cylinder engines about the same size as the graham. It would work just fine.
It is a bit old now so it might need some seals replaced when you first steam it up. I have one in my collection. I steamed up the boiler a few times and it had a lot of steam output.

Steve
One caution the seller mentions a dent in the boiler which could mean nothing to the performance, I would ask a few questions about it and get more detail. From the picture it looks bent, if it is, then if the price goes high then I would pass on it and wait for the next deal.

I'm in the process of sourcing the parts to build a horizontal boiler. In the mean time, I came across this setup. Apparently it burns alcohol. do you guys think this would work in the Brooklyn?

[Brooks]

A bent boiler would make me very uneasy. The only way I know to bend a tube like that would be to get it so hot that it sagged. If that were the situation, the boiler would no longer be safe to use as the metal would have thinned along the outside of the arc.

I'd not be happy with a dent either. Dents set up local stresses in the metal. The boiler strength would not be the same as when the boiler was new.

If you ever contemplated submitting the boiler for inspection (a requirement at most clubs, and sometimes a requirement for steam meets), bends and dents would possibly lead to rejection by the inspector.

[Alastair_I]

Possibly a bit late for this build, but for anyone else that finds the thread Regner (http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=uk&lp=de_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.regner-dampftechnik.de%2fechtdampf%2fschiffsmodellbau%2fe asy_line_schiffe.php) do marine boilers, complete marine steam powerplants and individual components.. I've not tried any of their marine units (yet) but I have one of their livesteam rail locos and it runs nicely and is easy to maintain.