steam engine choices

dostacos · Mar 31, 2012, 08:57 PM

HELP! is there anything between the Midwest steam engines and the engines that cost more then my monthly mortgage?

Kmot · Mar 31, 2012, 09:18 PM

Yes, the Graham engines,

http://www.grahamind.com/stengine.html

mogogear · Mar 31, 2012, 11:11 PM

Heartily second Toms nomination and add the wonderful PM research V twin machined kit ..A twin For $160 or so that will power a 40" plus hull

http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/p...0&cat=4&page=2

No boiler but also in the top 3 to recommend in my book

Brooks · 12:55 AM

Alas, I've found no ready-made boilers in the "more than Midwest, but less than National Debt" cost bracket. I think that's because it's easier to learn how to machine metal (and make an engine), than to learn how to build a pressure vessel. Plus, CNC can cut metal precisely, but there is no CNC-equivalant for boilers. Graham engines (well recommended) are CNC, I believe.

If you are new to steam, I'd recommend the Midwest Heritage setup - I see 10 min runs for a 2' paddlewheel hull, and 20 min runs for a 4' prop freighter. Adding complexity to motor performance (reverse, self-starting, throttle) or to boiler (feedwater, whistles, gauges, sightglass) considerably increases the System cost.

A fancier engine requires a fancier boiler. It's sort of like replacing a brushed motor with a brushless - more expensive motor requires a more sophisticated ESC and bigger batteries. Model steam does not have the number of modelers as electric planes, so we don't get to spread the factory costs over more customers.

Deserteagle · Apr 01, 2012, 02:21 PM

I'm going to build my next boiler. I can understand the price of an engine but not the prices of boilers

sunworksco · Apr 01, 2012, 04:33 PM

You just need to learn the art of silver soldering and annealing copper sheet and tube. I would suggest calling the local plumbing, rain gutter and sheet metal shops and beg for some scraps of copper remnants. Tell them you are building a scale model steam engine and boiler and they may help you out. They like to know that you are making something completely out of their realm and not threatening to their profit making.
You can even build your boiler shell completely out of rolled copper sheet.

ooyah · Apr 01, 2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deserteagle

I'm going to build my next boiler. I can understand the price of an engine but not the prices of boilers

Good for you that's what I like to hear, you give it a go and keep posting your progress.
Be prepared for the price of copper and sliver solder, it may give you a shock at the cost of materials to build your own boiler.
George.

Deserteagle · Apr 02, 2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooyah

Good for you that's what I like to hear, you give it a go and keep posting your progress.
Be prepared for the price of copper and sliver solder, it may give you a shock at the cost of materials to build your own boiler.
George.

Yeah this is true but luckily I bought a 8 foot pipe 4" in diameter about 3 years ago for $30 and a bunch of silver solder as well so I hope I can build a boiler for less than $600 USD

sunworksco · Apr 02, 2012, 01:04 AM

Great score on the copper tube!
Would you be interested in selling 12" of that to me?

Kind regards,
Giovanni

ooyah · Apr 02, 2012, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deserteagle

Yeah this is true but luckily I bought a 8 foot pipe 4" in diameter about 3 years ago for $30 and a bunch of silver solder as well so I hope I can build a boiler for less than $600 USD

Hey, you are one lucky Dude
In the U.K. we can only buy copper tube from model engineers suppliers and a 12" length of 4" dia x 16 swg ( 1/16" thk ) tube would cost you £32.
I wouldn't advertise the fact that I had as much or you will have everybody and their uncle wanting a piece.
George.

P.S. I see that they are already there.

steamer68 · Apr 02, 2012, 04:48 AM

Here you can also find some attractive steamplants for boats. It`s a german manufacturer but they will also deliver to the US as far as I know.
http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/

Happy steaming,
Andreas

Reg Hinnant · Apr 02, 2012, 06:32 PM

Thanks Andreas,
There is a US dealer for Regner and thier prices are very good.
http://www.traindept.com/
Reg

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamer68

Here you can also find some attractive steamplants for boats. It`s a german manufacturer but they will also deliver to the US as far as I know.
http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/

Happy steaming,
Andreas

racie34 · Apr 12, 2012, 03:12 PM

are there any good plans or drawings for making a boiler out of 4"copper pipe?

Mar 31, 2012, 08:57 PM	#1
dostacos some what irregular Diamond Bar, California Joined Feb 2004 1,026 Posts	steam engine choices HELP! is there anything between the Midwest steam engines and the engines that cost more then my monthly mortgage?

Apr 01, 2012, 12:49 AM	#4
Brooks Damp and Dizzy member Bozeman, Montana, United States Joined Aug 2003 3,241 Posts	Alas, I've found no ready-made boilers in the "more than Midwest, but less than National Debt" cost bracket. I think that's because it's easier to learn how to machine metal (and make an engine), than to learn how to build a pressure vessel. Plus, CNC can cut metal precisely, but there is no CNC-equivalant for boilers. Graham engines (well recommended) are CNC, I believe. If you are new to steam, I'd recommend the Midwest Heritage setup - I see 10 min runs for a 2' paddlewheel hull, and 20 min runs for a 4' prop freighter. Adding complexity to motor performance (reverse, self-starting, throttle) or to boiler (feedwater, whistles, gauges, sightglass) considerably increases the System cost. A fancier engine requires a fancier boiler. It's sort of like replacing a brushed motor with a brushless - more expensive motor requires a more sophisticated ESC and bigger batteries. Model steam does not have the number of modelers as electric planes, so we don't get to spread the factory costs over more customers.
	Last edited by Brooks; Apr 01, 2012 at 12:55 AM.

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Mar 31, 2012, 09:18 PM	#2
Kmot Grumpa Tom United States, CA, Los Angeles Joined Sep 2003 21,903 Posts	Yes, the Graham engines, http://www.grahamind.com/stengine.html

Mar 31, 2012, 11:11 PM	#3
mogogear Just call me "Mo" NE PDX OR Joined Aug 2008 774 Posts	Heartily second Toms nomination and add the wonderful PM research V twin machined kit ..A twin For $160 or so that will power a 40" plus hull http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/p...0&cat=4&page=2 No boiler but also in the top 3 to recommend in my book

Apr 01, 2012, 02:21 PM	#5
Deserteagle Registered User USA, Mt, Great Falls Joined Nov 2006 399 Posts	I'm going to build my next boiler. I can understand the price of an engine but not the prices of boilers

Apr 01, 2012, 04:33 PM	#6
sunworksco BabyBootLegger United States, CA, Alameda Joined Nov 2010 568 Posts	You just need to learn the art of silver soldering and annealing copper sheet and tube. I would suggest calling the local plumbing, rain gutter and sheet metal shops and beg for some scraps of copper remnants. Tell them you are building a scale model steam engine and boiler and they may help you out. They like to know that you are making something completely out of their realm and not threatening to their profit making. You can even build your boiler shell completely out of rolled copper sheet.

Apr 02, 2012, 01:04 AM	#9
sunworksco BabyBootLegger United States, CA, Alameda Joined Nov 2010 568 Posts	Great score on the copper tube! Would you be interested in selling 12" of that to me? Kind regards, Giovanni

Apr 02, 2012, 04:48 AM	#11
steamer68 Registered User Germany, RP, Simmern Joined Sep 2011 28 Posts	Here you can also find some attractive steamplants for boats. It`s a german manufacturer but they will also deliver to the US as far as I know. http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/ Happy steaming, Andreas

Apr 12, 2012, 03:12 PM	#13
racie34 road wart United States, CT, Stonington Joined Aug 2003 2,864 Posts	are there any good plans or drawings for making a boiler out of 4"copper pipe?