Hi
With work on the boiler on hold until I can get it passed by the inspector I decided to amuse myself with a bit of brass work, the manifold to be precise.
Start by turing a bit of brass 1 1/8" then to 1/2"
Drill through 5/16 then transfer to the rotary table and drill the 4 fixing holes
Back in the lathe to have a chamfer with a large countersink
A trial fit
A bit of 1/2" square brass is drilled but not quite all the way through and tapped 3/16 x 40 for a blanking plug
Cross drill and tap 1/4 x 40 at each end, one for the pressure gauge and on for the blower and on the side face for the whistle valve. In the centre a slight recess is machined with a 1/2" end mill
Set up in the brazing hearth and silver solder the 2 parts together
A bit of screw cutting some hex brass to make a couple of fittings
A trial fit on the boiler
Cheers
Rich