Search found 15 matches

by darjeeling
Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:34 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Copper boiler water treatment
Replies: 16
Views: 12603

Re: Copper boiler water treatment

The polyfloc used is a liquid form named Crystalsperse A135, marketed by Ixom here in New Zealand. I am sure there will be other variants available world wide. Dosage is about 20ml per each steam up boiler fill. I usually blow down fully after each run even though its a Duplex boiler. On the last bo...
by darjeeling
Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:40 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Copper boiler water treatment
Replies: 16
Views: 12603

Re: Copper boiler water treatment

Without treatment most copper boilers have the issue of gradual solids build up in the water legs, base of the barrel and tops of the tubes. I have cut up 4 copper boilers in the last 10 years with the bottom half of the water legs solid with mineral deposits from using not only tap water but in som...
by darjeeling
Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:42 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: MEG Wendy suspension
Replies: 3
Views: 3288

Re: MEG Wendy suspension

I have used both Marshall and Hackworth valve gears on my engines with sprung suspension on the rear. Providing the movement of the axle is not much more than 2 to 3mm very little difference seems to appear on the valve timing, providing its set right in the first instance, and ensures a smoother ri...
by darjeeling
Mon Jun 04, 2018 2:57 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Fusible Plug Thoughts
Replies: 22
Views: 15366

Re: Fusible Plug Thoughts

Hi Steve I have used 99% pure tin that has been certified to a melting point of 320C and is easy to obtain. Pure tin is recommended by the Australian AMBSC codes. I have used 316 S/S hand made plugs and just used liquid style solder flux to bond the tin to the plug 6mm holed body. Note that these pl...
by darjeeling
Wed May 02, 2018 4:01 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Steel cylinders and piston rings?
Replies: 16
Views: 6751

Re: Steel cylinders and piston rings?

As per the threads on this subject of piston rings, there are many ways to make them together with different materials, as we all know. Many years ago I was shown a cast iron CLUPIT made piston ring. They look like a key ring with no gaps open to leakage and in most cases will take up to a 1mm of we...
by darjeeling
Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:47 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Copper Boiler Wash
Replies: 9
Views: 7364

Re: Copper Boiler Wash

Hi all A very interesting subject on boiler wash for copper boilers. Here in New Zealand we are able to add a liquid Poly Floc agent that can be used in copper and Duplex type boilers (NOT STEEL). This addative will keep solids in suspension until the boiler is blown down at the end of a days runnin...
by darjeeling
Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:55 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Stainless steel boiler/exchanger?
Replies: 100
Views: 59721

Re: Stainless steel boiler/exchanger?

For those interested in Big Boy, most of the freight cars purchased with the engine have also been regauged and may be seen with the engine in the coming months.

John Heald
by darjeeling
Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:42 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Stainless steel boiler/exchanger?
Replies: 100
Views: 59721

Re: Stainless steel boiler/exchanger?

Doug's locomotive is still running. There are two other noted locomotive around with all stainless steel boilers. That would be Tom Millers Big Boy now in New Zealand and Dave Moor's Challenger. My K4 has stainless steel flues. There is nothing wrong with stainless steel in model boilers. This subj...
by darjeeling
Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:21 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Minimum steam space between the piston and cylinder head
Replies: 12
Views: 6087

Re: Minimum steam space between the piston and cylinder head

One must be aware of wear that can occur on connecting rod and crosshead bushes. Too much, and the gap will close to the extent the piston may hit the cylinder cover ( I have seen this happen and destroy the cylinder casting). Yes small gap is good between piston head and cylinder cap, but take into...
by darjeeling
Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:21 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Heilan Lassie - fusible plug?
Replies: 8
Views: 4293

Re: Heilan Lassie - fusible plug?

The AMBSC Australian codes stipulate pure tin for fusable plugs, a great safe gaurd for any boiler, especially copper . Pure tin melts at 446F (230c), way below the melting point of most silver solders. I have seen a number of copper boilers fail through lack of water. To repair such a failed boiler...
by darjeeling
Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:10 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Just recieved sad news that Barry Hauge has passed away
Replies: 22
Views: 15471

Re: Just recieved sad news that Barry Hauge has passed away

Very sad news received here in NewZealand. Barry was always helpful and generous with his time. His products will be missed down under.

John Heald, Rotorua, New Zealand
by darjeeling
Thu Sep 01, 2016 4:23 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Wendy suspension vs. 'normal' springing.
Replies: 24
Views: 11686

Re: Wendy suspension vs. 'normal' springing.

One of the big problems associated with 0-4-0 designed engines is how well balanced the engine weight is over all driving wheels. Some model designs can be suspect, however all my engines have been scaled down from full sized versions and in all cases give a reasonable balanced axle loading.The addi...