A 19th Century Machine Shop Diorama

[J.L.]

Hi Tom,
No, not yet. But I did place a kleenex against the end of the pipe flange. Nothing happened! But then I remembered that the blast gate was closed. I pulled it open with one hand and almost lost the kleenex up the tube! 

 

You are definitely on when it comes time to heat some water Tom. That's a given.

Cheers...John

[wagnmkr]

You seem to have some serious suction going on there John.

Tom

[J.L.]

Yes Tom, we should be able to burn some fossil fuel safely in the shop.

I mentioned that wiring and plumbing will be passing under the boiler room floor. As far as the wiring goes, here is a shot showing the pressure sensor wire coming through the floor. The conduit is a plastic drinking straw slit along its length (to allow the wire to be placed in the straw). The white plastic clamp is a modified coaxial cable clamp.

[wagnmkr]

Looks good John. I haven't looked in much as I have been getting the r/c sail boat ready for the racing season in Bellville, which started this past Tuesday. I should be able to spend some time on my project now, which I need to talk to you about sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Cheers

Tom

[b.lindsey]

Looks like a neat installation to me John. Nice idea on that!

Bill

[zeeprogrammer]

I always enjoy how diorama people make use of almost anything they come across.

I do wonder though...why did you use the straw and not just clamp the cable directly?

[J.L.]

Hi Carl,
A reasonable question. The thin rubber tube that encased the very fine wires was like a wet noodle. It had not resilience at all and would not stand any sort of compression. So I decided to put it in a harder shell of some sort - the stiff plastic of a drinking straw.
John

[J.L.]

When I decided to go historic with the pipes and use brass and bronze fittings, I created quite a monster. I can now see why many fellows choose to use copper tube for their piping.

[zeeprogrammer]

I created quite a monster.

I don't see one. Is it under the bed? Looks good to me!

I can now see why many fellows choose to use copper tube for their piping.

Or they are slackers!

[crueby]

But that piping looks so GOOD!!   

[b.lindsey]

Looks much better than curled up copper pipe to me John. Nicely done!!

Bill

[ddmckee54]

I agree that the tubing would be faster and easier, but since you want this to look like it actually belongs in a 19th century machine shop the pipe and fittings route is the more period accurate way to go.  I don't envy you, you've got quite a steam fitting/plumbing job ahead of you.  Good luck on getting it all sealed up with no leaks.

Don

[derekwarner]

Yes in years gone bye, the accepted way to achieve alignment of pipework was the intentional variable/unequal engagement of pipe spools or screwed nipples in fittings 

Possibly the only missing items are the scale stillson bite marks  on the pipe spools.....& the dollop of RED stag & a bit of bushy hemp fibre

However after spending a few years building a model steam plant, I am not sure that bending 1/8" & 5/32" OD tube & soldering flanges is faster than using these scale screwed fittings......

If scaled correctly, I think they portray and create a brilliant lifelike image as they do here .............Derek

[J.L.]

Thank you all for your kind and insightful comments.

Here is the new air line... (There is a bit of red showing here Derek. Too much white though. Needs to be cleaned  up.)

[wagnmkr]

A masterful job once again John. I'm not sure there is any way to improve on what you have done.  Just Splendid.

Cheers

Tom