CONWAY 0-4-0 3 1/2" GAUGE LOCO

[mike mott]

That all looks like a great help, Rich being able to shift heavy models and tools without hurting ourselves is something we don't think about much when we are in our 20's and 30's but add 40 or 50 years and it is a different matter.

Mike

[crueby]

Great crane - could have used one of those a few times here!

[Firebird]

Hi

Thanks cnr6400, Mike and Chris 

There are still 2 more bits of kit needed 

A set up of possibly chain to attach the hoist hook to the loco

A short length of track fitted into the back of the car

Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

I had a spell on the loco today, refitting the boiler etc



Got the pressure test kit connected up and did a test.

Leaking out of the snifting valve 

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svMxiRsdjq4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svMxiRsdjq4</a>

As far as I can see the only way it can leak from the snifting valve is if water is getting by the regulator 

Cheers

Rich

[Roger B]

The engine  is looking good    I hope the leak can be easily fixed   

[Firebird]

Hi

Thanks Roger 

Before I strip the boiler out again I need to know exactly where the leak is.

I am going to remove the dome and take out the regulator and fit a blanking plug then refit the dome and pressure test again.

If it still leaks then it has to be the internal pipe.

Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

I have removed the dome and stripped out the regulator



Made a blanking plug



And fitted it



Unfortunately I have created another problem 

When I tried to pressure test it the dome bush leaked badly. 2 of the M3 threads in the dome bush have partially stripped so I have made some studs and fixed them in with some loctite assembly. Hopefully they will hold.



Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

Got the dome refitted. The studs have held ok ish but I'm not 100% happy with them. The dome will have to come off again so I will look into a modification. Any future locos I build will have a much bigger dome bush with at least M4 threads



The good news is that under test the boiler held its test pressure of 1 1/2 times working pressure, 120psi.



So that proves that the ball valve regulator is letting pressure get by.

Back to the drawing board 

Cheers

Rich

[crueby]

May be worth checking the ball valve on its own with the test rig - one last (better) possibility is that the threads where it screws in leaked? I've had that happen, the fitting and bushing were fine, but just needed sealant on the threads.

[Firebird]

Hi Chris

Well I did check the ball valve on a very sophisticated bit of kit.

Because of the complexity of the test procedure I was unsure whether or not to post a picture 

Seeing as it is the season of cheer, and I need cheering up, lets see who can come up with best caption



Cheers

Rich

[Jo]

Seeing as it is the season of cheer, and I need cheering up, lets see who can come up with best caption

The new bagpipe design proved to be just as hard to blow as the old one

[Steamer5]

Hi Rich...

And he huffed & puffed & went red in the face...…

Did it seal Rich?

On my loco the sniffing valve usually weeps a little until the regulator is opened, the it snaps shut, mine is vertical so not quite the same, I'd have to go back a bit to see if you posted up the building of yours but I guess its just a ball that seats when steam on.

Cheers Kerrin

[crueby]

Hi Chris

Well I did check the ball valve on a very sophisticated bit of kit.

Because of the complexity of the test procedure I was unsure whether or not to post a picture 

Seeing as it is the season of cheer, and I need cheering up, lets see who can come up with best caption



Cheers

Rich

Here is Rich wiuth his Steampunk Tuba....   

[Firebird]

Hi

Kerrin, no it didn't fully seal. What you can't see in the photo is my hand in the smoke box with my finger over the exhaust. I could feel the leak. When I first tested it I could hardly get it upto 10psi before water was dripping out of the snifting valve.

I have a better quality ball valve I can play with when time permits.

Chris, not a very pleasant tune I'm afraid

Cheers

Rich

[zeeprogrammer]

not a very pleasant tune I'm afraid

I doubt that.

The new bagpipe design proved to be just as hard to blow as the old one

I like that.