Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

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oscar g
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Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by oscar g »

A few more boiler parts. The copper tube lengths aren't sized yet. Have to make a tool to flare the ends when the boiler tubes have been welded. The copper tubes did not fit in the 5/8"holes, seems they were over-size by a couple of thousance (metric sizing)? brought to a sliding fit by using an adjustable reamer. Next, working on the boiler support flanges.
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Gra2472
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Re: Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by Gra2472 »

That’s really nice work.
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
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Pontiacguy1
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Re: Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by Pontiacguy1 »

One thing that I have seen with copper pipe is that sometimes it has 3-point roundness, or is just plain out-of-round. I have witnessed that personally on more than one boiler I was putting tubes in. I usually will ream/sand the holes a couple of thousandths oversize so that they will fit in and slide well and not get hung up, so that's pretty normal. Definitely don't want to be damaging those tubes, especially with copper so high right now. Priced some just a month or so ago, and it was about $5.25/ft for 1/2" type K, and $9.09/ft for 3/4" type K, all in 20 ft sticks. Yikes!!

Boiler looks nice. Hope it all goes together well.
Kimball McGinley
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Re: Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by Kimball McGinley »

I am curious about the boiler shell material. Looks like stainless?
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AnthonyDuarte
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Re: Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by AnthonyDuarte »

Very nice work. Consider keeping your updates in the same thread to make it easier to follow in the future!

Anthony
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oscar g
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Re: Mich-Cal 1.5 Shay.

Post by oscar g »

Kimball McGinley wrote: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:38 pm I am curious about the boiler shell material. Looks like stainless?
Boiler tubes are DOM steel, purchased in Texas, as a cut-offs, from oil rig piping.
oscar g.
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