Allen steam fittings

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makinsmoke
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Allen steam fittings

Post by makinsmoke »

Ok,
The drawings call for flare to pipe fittings for the supply and exhaust lines into and out of the cylinders.

The flare fittings in brass I see are good to 250 degrees.

That doesn't sound sufficient. What should one use?

Thanks,
Brian
Mike Walsh
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Mike Walsh »

I would use them.... We use them on steam lines up to 150# in the smokebox. Granted the copper doesn't like it, but if you are wise enough to apply never-seize liberally prior to tightening them up/firing it up, I would think that would help.

What engine is this for?
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makinsmoke
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by makinsmoke »

Hi Mike,
Allen ten wheeler.

The smokebox has to be hotter than 250F.

I know, I see them everywhere. Just figured if we've come up with a better idea in forty years I should consider.
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cbrew
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by cbrew »

i have been using brass flared fittings in my two locomotives with out issue
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
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makinsmoke
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by makinsmoke »

Sounds like Occam's Razor

Anti-seize into the cylinders versus teflon tape?
Marty_Knox
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Marty_Knox »

I never use flare fittings - they tend to break.
I use Swagelok fittings, which are like compression fitting but with a two piece ferrule. Brass is fine inside the smokebox, but they also come in stainless steel. www.swagelok.com.
Pontiacguy1
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Pontiacguy1 »

I use the flare fittings, but do not use the copper tubing. I use 303 stainless steel tubing, then carefully flare it, and install it. It is a lot bigger pain to bend and flare, but it will last a whole lot longer than the copper tubing. I had to replace the copper steam delivery tubes on the 989 after about 4 years of operation because the heat and weathering from the soot and cinders moving past it. It was brittle and thin and would then crack. I made new lines out of the 303 stainless, and that was over 10 years ago. I've had them out once a couple of years ago and they cleaned up and looked almost like new. From then on, I've always used the stainless tubing for anything inside the smoke box. The extra time is worth it to me.
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NP317
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by NP317 »

My experience is that copper delivery pipes remain healthy when propane is the fuel of choice.
Far less corrosive environment.
~RN
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Bill Shields
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Bill Shields »

I recently reboilered a coal burning, 50 year old steamer with a copper boiler and copper piping inside of the smokebox.

Fittings were a random selection of flanges, flares, olives, all in brass on copper piping.

Everything came apart just fine (but went in the trash anyway).

All the copper pipe was in pretty bad shape - and pretty sure that corrosion was the problem.

The copper pipe was pretty well eroded by high velocity cinders...looked like it had been sand-blasted (which in effect it had been).

I have used standard Parker compression type fittings (like the Swagelok only cheaper) for years and they have also been fine.

If you do a little cleaning and maintenance on any of this stuff, it will hold up for decades..or in my most recent experience, 1/2 a century!
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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makinsmoke
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by makinsmoke »

Using the Allen exhaust casting....
How do you get the exhaust lines together and apart using compression fittings?

I liked them better to start with but can't figure out assembly/disassembly.

Tks,
Brian
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Bill Shields
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Bill Shields »

Creative pipe-fitting.

I never said that my piping is exactly as per the Allen Design.

Want a photo?

Send me your e-mail. My photobucket account no longer supports RBBS files.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Pontiacguy1
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Re: Allen steam fittings

Post by Pontiacguy1 »

The 4-4-0 that Gene built, you had to pull one cylinder off to get the exhaust nozzle in and out. It was silver soldered in the middle and had brass compression fittings with copper tubing from each cylinder to the casting. Apparently, he put it together, centered it, and then silver soldered it.
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