Author Topic: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler  (Read 9210 times)

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Couldn't resist showing my new toy  :)

It's a 5" dia Tubal Cain designed boiler with 51 fire tubes a super heater and steam blower. The intention is to use it coal fired to power the small models I've built so far, as yet I haven't fired it up but hope to give it a go tomorrow (probably on gas for the first few goes).







Can't wait to start shovelling coal in to it  :)

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18557
  • Rochester NY
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2017, 06:35:47 PM »
Wow, that is a pretty boiler! Who made it? Very nice!!

Offline b.lindsey

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13860
  • Dallas, NC, USA
    • Workbench-Miniatures
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2017, 06:38:42 PM »
Very nice...almost a shame to get coal dust on it :)

Bill

Offline pgp001

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 812
  • West Yorkshire - UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2017, 08:15:01 PM »
Peter

I see you got it at last, it looks to be a nice job.
Do you think it would suit it to paint the copper in heat resistant matt black ?, it might look more representative of a full size one.

I bet you got a few strange looks carrying that home on the train.  :o

Phil

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2017, 08:18:42 PM »
Thanks guys, I've just given it a quick run on a ceramic gas burner which is far too small at 2 1/2" but it still got up to 90psi very quickly - I didn't time it but I reckon it goes from about 20 - 90 psi in less than a minute  :) even with the undersize burner. Once I'm a bit more familiar with it I'll try it on coal and post a video if anyone is interested.

Crueby - I had it made to order by a local model boiler maker (I'm in the UK) he tested it and gave me the necessary certificate etc.

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2017, 08:23:13 PM »
Hi Phil,

I'm thinking of painting the fire hole and making a round base for it to sit in then painting them matt black - not sure about the top plate.

I really need a better pump though, the 3/8ths ram hand pump I have at the moment will do the job but needs a lot of use to keep up.

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18557
  • Rochester NY
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2017, 08:28:22 PM »
It got up to that pressure that quick with water in it? If so, that burner is quite adequate!

Offline Jo

  • Administrator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15294
  • Hampshire, england.
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2017, 08:42:40 PM »
 8) that looks nice.

Couldn't resist showing my new toy  :)

It's a 5" dia Tubal Cain designed boiler with 51 fire tubes a super heater and steam blower. The intention is to use it coal fired to power the small models I've built so far, as yet I haven't fired it up but hope to give it a go tomorrow (probably on gas for the first few goes).

I am sure your only got it today Peter  :noidea:

Thanks guys, I've just given it a quick run on a ceramic gas burner which is far too small at 2 1/2" but it still got up to 90psi very quickly - I didn't time it but I reckon it goes from about 20 - 90 psi in less than a minute  :)

Doesn't time fly a whole day - in less than two hours   :lolb:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2017, 12:20:40 AM »
Yup, it reached that pressure with water no problem  :)

The thing is Jo, one can get  a bit excited by ones new toy and feel the urge to give it a quick test  ;)

Anyway, I reckon you need to head up the M1 with your 5a so we can see it running on proper mucky coal with lashings of oil - compressed air is for cissies  ;)

Offline MJM460

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1647
  • Melbourne, Australia
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2017, 02:52:49 AM »
Hi Gas Mantle,

What a beautiful boiler.  Congratulations.  Good idea to buy one with a certificate, sure to make it easier to keep on side with the inspector for club events.  I have to admit that despite making two of my own boilers, I also bought one for that reason.  Glad you started it on gas, nice to keep it beautiful for a bit longer before that mucky coal, but also nice to have the option.  And it will be interesting to compare the performance with the different fuels.

I am with Chris, that is a very quick start up.  How much water does it hold?  Try how much steam it makes in 10 or 15 minutes, or time it to reach low water level, that will confirm the burner size.

MJM460

The more I learn, the more I find that I still have to learn!

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2017, 03:14:07 AM »
Hi MJM,

It only holds about 1.3 ltrs so it seems to raise pressure very quickly but it is thirsty.

I'm in the UK and it was late in the evening when I got it home so I haven't really had time to assess it properly but  I'll have a bit more time to try it tomorrow
« Last Edit: November 09, 2017, 03:21:02 AM by Gas_mantle »

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1571
  • Deep East Texas on Sam Rayburn Lake
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2017, 01:50:00 PM »
Thanks guys, I've just given it a quick run on a ceramic gas burner which is far too small at 2 1/2" but it still got up to 90psi very quickly - I didn't time it but I reckon it goes from about 20 - 90 psi in less than a minute  :) even with the undersize burner. Once I'm a bit more familiar with it I'll try it on coal and post a video if anyone is interested.

Crueby - I had it made to order by a local model boiler maker (I'm in the UK) he tested it and gave me the necessary certificate etc.


G' day Gas_mantle,

Absolutely beautiful boiler. Was that a Stuart ceramic gas burner that you used?

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2017, 03:59:58 PM »
Thanks Thomas it's a burner from Polly models that I'm using but I think they are all pretty much the same thing.

I've had a go on coal this afternoon and it's a great steamer but with the small pump I have it's hard work keeping up with the water demand.

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18557
  • Rochester NY
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2017, 06:09:55 PM »
Sounds like your next build should be a feed pump!

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2017, 06:57:04 PM »
Sounds like your next build should be a feed pump!

Yea, definitely - the one I have is no good for what I want to do, it can cope with making sure the boiler doesn't run dry but struggles to keep up when I'm using lots of steam.

I'm a bit undecided whether to buy a larger hand pump or whether to make a steam pump from castings. I'd prefer a steam pump but I'm led to believe they can be difficult to make and I'm not expert.

Has anyone got any thoughts about the 3" version on this page :-

http://www.southworthengines.com/steam-feed-pumps/vertical-steam-pumps/

It's only £35 in the UK but I wonder how easy it is to make one that will run well and deliver enough water agains  90 psi of boiler pressure ?

I'd be interested in knowing what other members use etc.

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9466
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2017, 07:16:17 PM »
The only disadvantage of a steam pump is that it will use up steam so you will need to add back more water. Maybe think about a mechanical pump driven from the engine which would give it something to do rather than just go round and round.

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2017, 07:29:21 PM »
Thanks Jason, I have contemplated using my Stuart 10H as a permanently attached feed pump engine. The boiler is intended as a general purpose item that I can use for different engines but I'd consider using the Stuart just as a feed engine if I can buy or make as suitable pump.

Offline Stuart

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1785
  • Tilchestune UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2017, 08:42:43 PM »
Those pumps are tiny more like watch making , I have built on it does work but very tricky to get going , as it has a slide valve controlling a shuttle valve in the same chamber it’s very congested in there .

I found sealing the valve plate a bit troublesome

Get ready for 10ba fixings  :Jester:

Stuart
My aim is for a accurate part with a good finish

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2017, 08:46:29 PM »
Thanks Stuart, I've seen on youtube that a few people have had trouble getting them to work well and that kinda puts me off.

Do you think your 3" pump would supply enough water to feed a 5" boiler ?

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9466
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #19 on: November 09, 2017, 08:50:27 PM »
You need a proper sized steam pump :mischief:


Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #20 on: November 09, 2017, 08:54:58 PM »
Wow that's a stunner Jason, is it one of your barstock creations ?

Offline MJM460

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1647
  • Melbourne, Australia
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #21 on: November 10, 2017, 05:12:11 AM »
Hi Gas Mantle, when you evaluate those feed pumps, the boiler pressure is not really an issue.  The steam piston has boiler pressure, and the rod force is differential pressure on the piston times area.  With and free flowing atmospheric exhaust, gauge pressure is essentially the same as piston differential pressure.  On the other hand the water ram is working against the boiler pressure with a little allowance for the check valves.  So the ram needs a force boiler pressure times ram area.  The steam piston is always enough larger than the water ram to have an adequate force margin so the pump will operate.  Normally I expect the steam would be regulated down to get the right speed for the required water flow, but that piston rod force is always just enough above the ram resistance to overcome friction as the pump operates.  In principal it is quite efficient on steam consumption and has the advantage that the steam consumption is reduced at low flow.  Thermodynamically, the power required by the water ram is a very small fraction of the power available from the same mass of steam, so it should not add greatly to the steam load.  However, in a model pump, it is difficult to keep the friction forces in proportion, so more important than the theory is the experience of others in using these pumps.  And Stuart's comment on the one with the shuttle plus slide valve being tricky may be the deciding factor.  The smaller one with the simpler valve gear may be easier to make, but I don't know if it is any easier to adjust for reliable working.

An engine driven pump has the advantage that the water flow is always proportional to the engine speed.  Just what you need for any transport operation like a locomotive or a boat, but for driving several models on a display, the relationship is not quite so direct.  I believe a bypass is normally used to balance the water flow, wasteful of power if you are needing the max, but not so important if you are looking for a load for your engine anyway.  Most designs I have seen are gear or worm driven, as the volume of water required to make the steam for each engine revolution is very small.  Some have a few stroke adjustment steps to get it nearly right.  A simple boiler steaming test will give you an idea of the amount of water you need.  Practical considerations, which I will leave others to advise on, will determine how much you need to allow for real pump volumetric efficiency, and which is actually easier to make work really well.  Like you, I am still a beginner machinist, and have not built either.

Both would make great additions to a display, and in the spirit of the principal of having two separate water make up devices, perhaps both could eventually be incorporated into your display.

MJM460
The more I learn, the more I find that I still have to learn!

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9466
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #22 on: November 10, 2017, 07:40:35 AM »
Wow that's a stunner Jason, is it one of your barstock creations ?

Indeed it is http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,4438.0.html

Offline sbwhart

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 745
  • Live Long and Prosper
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #23 on: November 10, 2017, 07:54:52 AM »
Hi Would a southworth pump do the trick I think you can still buy the castings but to be honest casting aren't really needed it can easily be made from bar, all you need is the drawings.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9L6g-mafvo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9L6g-mafvo</a>


Stew

PS this is the link to the build log http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,4763.0.html

Stew
« Last Edit: November 10, 2017, 08:27:27 AM by sbwhart »
A little bit of clearance never got in the way

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #24 on: November 10, 2017, 02:36:12 PM »
Jason, is your pump capable of pumping against boiler pressure? it looks a great model  :)

Stew, yes the Southworth pumps are still available here :-

http://www.southworthengines.com/steam-feed-pumps/vertical-steam-pumps/

I had your Potty Grasshopper design engine running on coal yesterday, it runs great. I'll make a video of the boiler powering it in the next few days.

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9466
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #25 on: November 11, 2017, 08:12:18 AM »
When I made it I had no intension of using it to feed a boiler so some of the construction used would probably not be upto working at 100psi, I'm thinking mainly of the JB Welded joints mostly as the soldered ones would not be a problem.  The Original cast version would not have had these problems and if scratch built to that size could probably be silver soldered together. I have also got the packing quite loose so it runs slow and smooth with no load so that would need attending to if working at higher pressure.

It will inflate a latex/vinyl glove held over the pump outlet when running on a few pounds of pressure.

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Just been to collect my new toy - a Tubal Cain 5" vertical boiler
« Reply #26 on: November 11, 2017, 02:39:37 PM »
Thanks Jason, I'd be interested to know how it performs.

I had another go on coal today and it's full time job keeping it fed with coal and water, no doubt a better pump will help but there's certainly a knack to firing these things properly that I haven't yet mastered   :facepalm:

Offline NickG

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1430
I know it’s been a while since the last post on this thread but it looks like a lovely boiler. Would a small injector work with this sort of setup?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal