Constructing the Boiler

rbrett · Subject: Constructing the Boiler Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:00 pm

The original boiler plans drawn by Peter Bucknell no longer comply with the current AMBSC codes, and therefore boiler plans need to either be re-drawn, or sourced elsewhere.
Due to the extreme cost, and lack of general availability of suitably copper these days, the option of a copper boiler is not really viable, leaving us with the option of a steel briggs style boiler.

Several plans for briggs boilers of a suitable size are available, however most are hand-drawn, and leave some critical dimensions to the reader to interpret. I am in the process of updating a set of boiler drawings in ACAD, with the intent of producing a boiler design that provides for the easiest possible construction, and lowest material cost whilst still conforming to current AMBSC regulations.

Once the plans have been verified, I'll post a link to the ACAD file here in this thread.

mgray · Subject: Re: Constructing the Boiler Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:47 am

Hi Russell if I can be of any Help just let me know I will give you a ring soon
Regards Mark

rbrett · Last edited by on Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:02 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi,

At this stage, the boiler plans offered below have not yet been passed by a AMBSC club boiler inspector - I'm still waiting to validate the location of the external openings against a finished engine, to make sure I have not inadvertantly put an opening in an inappropriate location.
I believe that the plans are fully conpliant with the code, however I'm offering them as "buyer beware" until such time as I've had the plans approved...

For a free copy of the ACAD drawings as they stand, please see:

[Old link removed - updated as per following - Russell.]
http://modelengineering.rbrett.id.au/

I'll update the link and place a comment in this thread if the design should change...

One item to note is the current plans require the welding to be performed in a "logical order", to ensure that each joint can be accessed to allow for full penetration when welding - this has not yet been noted on the plans - I'll get to this later.

Regards,
Russell.

rbrett

Hi,

Several people have started to query if they can have a copy of the plans above in a format other than the AutoCAD ".dwg" format.

Therefore, I've set up a [perhaps temporary?] website location to house some PDF versions of the plans. The location is here:
http://modelengineering.rbrett.id.au/

Happy browsing... BTW: If anyone can suggest improvements or alterations, please contact me. I already know the details for the O-ring seal are not correct... An O-ring will not seal too well on top of a screw-thread...

Regards,
Russell...

rbrett · Subject: Update to Boiler Plans now published... Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:22 am

Hi everyone,

I've spent a little more time on the boiler plans. Version 0.8 now published on my web-site at http://modelengineering.rbrett.id.au/
Main changes being:

At the moment, the plans show the openings required for water-tube heating in the fire-box. Does anyone actually do this? I've not seen a Briggs boiler on a CBTE done this way yet, and so are considering removing these openings..

Also, I'm wondering if I should change the stay arrangement for the crown-plate. Whilst this design is simpler to make than inserting the bridging plates as per the AMBSC design guidebook, if you water-cut the parts, it makes little difference to effort to build, and means you don't need to source the bar-stock, or make as many openings on the boiler barrel...

Comments anyone?

Regards,

Russell.

mark a · Number of posts: 1 Registration date: 2008-09-23

Brett thanks for loading the boiler drawing on the web site... If anyone is going to build the boiler I can supply the boiler flat plate (grade 460.R) with certs for boiler inspectors. Or any one who wants full size boiler drawings printed I can do this for a small fee (printing & postage would be approx $20.00). I am also drawing the motion parts .. in Dxf format.. will keep you posted soon. I can be contacted on the cliff & bunting web site under BMS Steel Cutting. Reagrds Mark.

Blowy · Subject: Re: Constructing the Boiler Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:54 pm

Hi is this boiler ok for a Steam loco
as i can not find plans for a Briggs
Regards
Russell

rbrett · Subject: Use of the CBTE boiler on a train? Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:45 pm

Hi Blowy,

I have been asked this question several times recently - it would seem there are a lot of boilers being built at the moment!

I've never actually built a steam loco, and so are not aware of all the nuances associated with running a steam train, however from reading the AMBSC code, you will find that this design should be "overkill" for a train. In particular, the boiler barrel in a traction engine, becomes the "chassis", and takes all the torsional load between the front and rear of the traction engine. In a train, there is a chassis the boiler sits on, and properly laid tracks don't tend to introduce quite the same amount of twisting motion that is introduced to a traction engine as it rides over uneven ground. Therefore the boiler codes specify thicker material when building boilers for traction engines, than for trains.

Where I am getting to with all of this, is that whilst I do not see any technical problems with using this boiler design for a train, you will be paying for the thicker barrel material, which is effectively making this boiler more expensive than what you could have otherwise gotten away with...