Today in the weld shop I pulled out the roller and tested rolling some steel for the smokebox. My plan is to roll a sheet of steel to the proper radius and TIG weld the joint to form the smokebox.
One problem- The thickest steel I can reasonably roll is 1/8''. The blueprint calls for 1/4'' to be used in the smokebox. My biggest concern is that the thinner smokebox could warp when being welded. I plan to machine a spacer to take up the extra 1/4'' distance the 1/8'' thick smokebox would leave between it and the boiler, as I have seen others do.
Has anybody done something similar? Most models I've seen have used a pipe or tube, but I have had difficulty locating the correct diameter. (Not to mention pipe and tube is cost prohibitive for me)
Any thoughts on using the 1/8'' thick steel over the 1/4'' called for?
Smokebox Fabrication
Smokebox Fabrication
-Sam
Boilermaker, Pipefitter, former Railroader
"Preserving the Past and Ensuring Our Future"
Boilermaker, Pipefitter, former Railroader
"Preserving the Past and Ensuring Our Future"
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Re: Smokebox Fabrication
On the first Allen 0-4-0 I used the Allen cast two piece smokebox. On the second one I'm building I made the smokebox from the same pipe as the boiler shell. The 1/8" material won't last as long as thicker material. Even full size smokeboxes corrode at a rapid rate. Think about it - you have SO2 gas in the smoke from fire if you're burning coal or oil, you mix with the steam and water in the exhaust, and you end up with sulphuric acid. A good reason to keep your smokebox clean.
- johnpenn74
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Re: Smokebox Fabrication
If you are trying to meet an odd size (like 7 or 9 inches) I believe tube is available in that size. On my 440 I am thinking I will sleeve over a piece of 9 over the 8.375 boiler shell.
JP
JP
John Pennington
Logging meets that actually move logs
Project
2 Mich-Cal Shays
Allen 4-4-0 Narrow Gauge Conversion
Two Reading A5a Camelback 0-4-0
USRA 0-6-0
Clishay
4 Western Wheeled Scraper NG Dump Cars
N&W 4-8-2
ICM 2-10-2
4 Modern Stake Cars
L&N Caboose
4 Big Four Conversion Gondolas
Like I'm actually gonna build all this stuff
Logging meets that actually move logs
Project
2 Mich-Cal Shays
Allen 4-4-0 Narrow Gauge Conversion
Two Reading A5a Camelback 0-4-0
USRA 0-6-0
Clishay
4 Western Wheeled Scraper NG Dump Cars
N&W 4-8-2
ICM 2-10-2
4 Modern Stake Cars
L&N Caboose
4 Big Four Conversion Gondolas
Like I'm actually gonna build all this stuff
Re: Smokebox Fabrication
I'm trying to meet 8.5'' or 8.75'' OD (Print calls for 8.75''). Rolling my own steel tube in that size would cost less than $20, compared to the $80-90 quote I got for the less ideal 8.5'' tubing.
-Sam
Boilermaker, Pipefitter, former Railroader
"Preserving the Past and Ensuring Our Future"
Boilermaker, Pipefitter, former Railroader
"Preserving the Past and Ensuring Our Future"
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- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA
Re: Smokebox Fabrication
8" pipe is 8 5/8" (8.625). I am sure your saddle can be machined to 4.3125" radius rather than 8.375". 8" pipe should be easy to find, and inexpensive.
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- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA
Re: Smokebox Fabrication
You're going to need to find the pipe for your boiler shell anyway.