'WIDE A WAKE' a steam launch tale

[Ramon Wilson]

Thanks Dave - I'll bear that in mind. I'll wait until I have an engine pump fitted and then check to see how hot the pumped water gets before carrying out any mods though.

Talking of mods - the one thing I overlooked Stuart (along with a bush for the whistle feed ) was a blow down valve. Well it won't be getting one now so it will have to be emptied by syringe - as far as one can reach inside that is.

Thanks guys

Still leaves the question on resetting the needle on Stuart pressure gauge - anyone know if this can be done?

Regards - Ramon

[Stuart]

Ramon

Yes it can be done with care needle nose pliers are the order of the day

Just give it a twist the needle is only pressed on

Stuart

[Maryak]

Ramon

It's always good practice to blow down the boiler after use

Two reasons
One to get rid of scale ans sludge
Two to empty it



Note this is done when the pressure is down to about 20 psi

Note to all this does not apply to steel boilers the AFAIK should be blown down but left ful with the tanning compound in the water or left dry with a small heater ( lamp) to keep them dry , but I may be wrong on this

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

From my time with boilers IIRC it is bad practice to empty a boiler by blowing it down. With firetube boilers, the boiler is normally pumped to a full glass then allowed to remain banked until the sludge has settled then a blow down to half a glass. The boiler is then allowed to cool at its own rate. When cold either fill it to WW and add anti oxidant or run down to empty and insert the drier. The reason for not blowing down to empty is because of the stresses set up by rapid removal of the hot water/steam from shell creating a larger than is desirable temperature difference across the metal parts. The metal and gas path are still hot and will induce draft through the boiler which is pretty well ambient air temperature.

Respectfully
Bob

[Ramon Wilson]

Thanks Stuart 

I didn't want to try anything without being sure - I know it has to come apart at some stage to be 'red lined' but they are too expensive a little item to mess up when your not sure how they are put together. I'll deal with it in due course then.

On that note I'm going to call it a day on this phase now so it will be awhile before any further updates. As usual thanks for looking in and all your input - look forward to 'seeing' you all again later in the year 

Regards - Ramon

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Guys

It's been a while since there's been anything to post about but at last there's some small progress to report on this project. The main thing is it's 'back on the stocks' with nothing too much on the immediate horizon as distraction so hopefully there will be a good bit of advancement to cover in the coming weeks

In the last week the floor bearers for the boiler and engine mount plate have been shaped to fit the planks and epoxied in place. The 5mm thick ali plate - a nice gift from an old work colleague visiting me at Xmas - three pieces of it too  - just needed cleaning up on the edges and it was ready to fit.
Incidentally those floor bearers came from some very old Sapele like wood given to me many years back. Rescued from the Brooke Marine shipyard as it was closing down it was apparently the base of a yard made barrow for moving metal plate about. When it was broken up it was discovered that the axle was from a Model T Ford - wonder how much work that witnessed over the years

Anyway - here's the new start




Not much, agreed but it is something

Tomorrow sees me hit my three score and ten  - when that Feb issue of Model Boats featuring this boat dropped on the mat it would have been the January in 1972 so I would have just made 27 by a day or so - me thinks it's time I best get this finished

Regards for now - Ramon

[b.lindsey]

That is beautiful Ramon, happy you have had some time to work on it and will look forward to seeing more progress.

Bill

[vcutajar]

Happy Birthday.

 

 

Vince

[Roger B]

Glad to see you back on this project    Still following along   

[Jasonb]

Comming along well Ramon, will you be making your own universal joint to go between engine and prop shaft or using a commercial one.

J

PS don't overdo it on the cake!!

[Ramon Wilson]

Thanks guys - no not doing anything special - just Sues two brothers and in laws so won't be overdoing anything 

Thanks to some info from George (K.B.C.) I began a tapered flywheel mount tonight which will incorporate one half of the UV joint. It's going to be the basic two dog pin type driving slots in a disc on the prop shaft.

It'll be Monday before I can get back on that so a bit more on that later

Thanks again - Ramon

[AussieJimG]

That is looking good Ramon. And Happy Birthday.

Jim

[Stilldrillin]

Happy Birthday, for tomorrow, Ramon! 

I'm a year, or so ahead of you. And, it's quite true...... Every day, is a bonus, from now on! 

Very pleased to see you're back, on this wonderful project again...... 

David D

[ths]

As a fan of this thread, I'm glad to see it moving on, and at a very fitting time. All the best for the day. Cheers, Hugh.

[Maryak]

Happy Birthday, for tomorrow, Ramon! 

I'm a year, or so ahead of you. And, it's quite true...... Every day, is a bonus, from now on! 

Very pleased to see you're back, on this wonderful project again...... 

David D

Me 2

Best Regards
Bob

[Don1966]

Your project is coming together beautifully and Happy Birthday Ramon.

Don