Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

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Bill Shields
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Bill Shields »

another consideration on a boiler is:

ream / bore the holes in the machine.

weld tubesheets into the boiler...

NOW you have non-round holes....maybe not in the middle of the tube-sheet, but for sure around the edges...

It is almost a necessity to do something.

I have generally drilled under size, then used a 'BRIDGE REAMER' to get final size with success (none of my rolled-in copper tubes have leaked in years)....
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
KarlKobel
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by KarlKobel »

My 2 cents...

I agree with Bill and Harold. I Bride Reamed the holes before welding (the holes were water jet cut and had a 'tit' in them that made drilling impossible). BTW- my Bridge Reamer was actually a #3 Morris taper reamer.
I line-reamed them after welding with an adjustable reamer on an extension using the properly sized bushing at each end.

Karl
Sorry - no pic's of the process.
Kimball McGinley
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Kimball McGinley »

Hey now - this is family site - no talk of "Bride Reamers" allowed!
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Fender
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Fender »

Kimball McGinley wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 8:02 pm Hey now - this is family site - no talk of "Bride Reamers" allowed!
:shock:
For what it’s worth, the subject boiler is finally complete, and will be steamed for the first time next week!
Dan Watson
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hoppercar
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by hoppercar »

I have never had a problem with weld distortion near the hole after boring the sheets
KarlKobel
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by KarlKobel »

LOL - Kimball,

It seams no matter how many times I proof read it, a mistake sneaks in.

Karl
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Fender
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Fender »

We steamed up the new boiler on the LE American today, and it was a partial success. There were problems with the coal used, we had some steam leaks, and the injector piping needs work. Like another thread in this forum, we ran out of steam after 100 feet! Can someone suggest a solution?
:roll:
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Dan Watson
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Marty_Knox
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Marty_Knox »

Try a smaller whistle!
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ChipsAhoy
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by ChipsAhoy »

Marty_Knox wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:58 pm Try a smaller whistle!
LOL I know that was said in jest....
BUT, It does look like the whistle is of a bigger dia than the boiler. :shock:
We were stopped in the yard at Maricopa Live Steamers waiting to build up steam, and a young fellow, perhaps 5 years old, and his mom came over to look. To keep him from touching anything hot, I put him up on the tender seat and reached him to the whistle cord.... oh my... he played every tune he could think of until there was no more pressure... and he had everyone staring and glaring at us! BUT.... he will be back!

Sorry, don't mean to hijack this thread.... but Marty did it first!!!
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Fender
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Fender »

Marty didn’t hijack the thread. That whistle was a sight gag!
Dan Watson
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Jerry_H
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by Jerry_H »

Best part of this whole thread; "he will be back!".

Jerry
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johnfreese
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Re: Reaming vs. Drilling Holes In Tube Sheets

Post by johnfreese »

Using a twist drill to make holes in thin materials usually results in a 3 lobed hole. Step bits cut a perfectly round hole. Blair and Hougen sell multi tooth hole cutters. To get the correct clearance needed for the tubing being used may require the hole be cut undersized and reamed to diameter.
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