Author Topic: The Wolf Nr 1  (Read 7910 times)

Offline Michael S.

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The Wolf Nr 1
« on: March 20, 2022, 06:50:05 PM »
Hi there,

I would like to start with the construction report of the "Wolf No.1". It's been a few years since it was built. It started in 2005.

Before that, something about the history of the machine. It was the first steam engine that Rudolf Wolf built when he founded his factory in Magdeburg in 1862. It went to a rich farmer near Madeburg.
When the farmer bought a new and larger machine from R.Wolf, the old one was bought back. That was in 1887.
In the Wolf factory, the machine without wheels was used in the joinery to drive the transmission.
When the Deutsches Museum opened in Munich in 1907, the machine went into the exhibition. She was previously restored with new paint and wheels.

As a "Magdeburger" I naturally wanted to build this machine. There were only 3 kits left to buy. I had to pick up my kit from a place 500 km away. Unpack and start.........but took 9 years.

Michael

Offline Michael S.

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2022, 07:03:35 PM »
one picture was double!

The boiler shell is made of steel and has already been welded by a specialist. Holes had to be drilled on the firebox and 3/8 inch threads. The tubes are screwed into the firebox. They are later made from copper tubing. The pipes are sealed with a screw connection on the smoke chamber wall. Is so in the sense of the designer of the model.

Michael

Offline propforward

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2022, 08:43:08 PM »
Wonderful! I shall enjoy reading this, thank you for posting the build details, I really like seeing how these engines are constructed and the process involved.
Stuart

Forging ahead regardless.

Offline samc88

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2022, 09:47:13 PM »
Very interesting looking model, I shall be following along keenly!

Offline Michael S.

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2022, 06:46:21 PM »
Hello and on we go,

the boiler has copper tubes with a diameter of 15 mm.
According to the instructions in the blueprint, you should solder an 18 mm piece of pipe onto the 15 mm pipe and then cut a thread.
I tried like this, but didn't work. Thread destroyed.
Then I bought bronze parts from the plumbing market and soldered them with silver solder.
This could then be properly machined on the lathe.
The tubes are screwed into the firebox. This is also the case with the original.
The smoke chamber wall is sealed with an O-ring and screw connection.
That worked well then.
The firebox also has a lead nail at the top as a safeguard if the water level is too low.

Michael

Offline Michael S.

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2022, 06:58:36 PM »
Then the firing was processed.
The boiler fittings were made from industrial 1/4 inch taps. This is how the front of the boiler could be equipped.

Greetings Michael

Offline crueby

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2022, 07:11:17 PM »
Impressive work!

Online Kim

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2022, 07:19:06 PM »
This is great Michael!  Love your pictures and descriptions.  :popcorn: :popcorn:

I've got a few questions though.  There's an interesting 'pointy thing' in one of the pics.  What is that? (see the item circled in red in the picture below)

And the tube that goes above it between the two valves - this looks kind of like a sight glass to check on the water level, but it seems really high, and the tube doesn't look like glass - it looks like stainless steel or something. What is this?  (also shown in picture).

Wonderful work, Michael!
Kim

Offline michaelr

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2022, 07:33:56 PM »
The steel rod could be to allow the water gauge fittings to be aligned before fitting the glass, and a guess on the pointy fitting could be where the water level should be in the glass.
Michaelr

Offline Roger B

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2022, 08:27:21 PM »
What an interesting way to build a boiler  :)  :) I guess that the maintenance benefits didn't offset the higher costs  ::)
Best regards

Roger

Offline Michael S.

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2022, 09:29:49 PM »
Hello, everyone,

yes the tip indicates the lowest allowable water level. That was the norm with the Wolf boiler. I'll take a photo of an original machine tomorrow.

I had the round material to align the fittings. The glass came in later.

Actually, this boiler is faster to build than a locomotive boiler. And easy to clean.

Michael

Offline steam guy willy

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2022, 02:58:24 AM »
Hi "M" A lovely prototype to model and lots of interesting features   also the photos are really good ..

Willy

Offline RReid

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2022, 02:33:30 PM »
Quote
Actually, this boiler is faster to build than a locomotive boiler. And easy to clean.
That seems like a practical way to build a boiler, especially for those who may not have enough "torch" to apply the heat needed for silver soldering. I wonder why it's not more widely used?

I am enjoying seeing the details of your build.  :ThumbsUp:
Regards,
Ron

Offline crueby

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2022, 03:08:03 PM »
Quote
Actually, this boiler is faster to build than a locomotive boiler. And easy to clean.
That seems like a practical way to build a boiler, especially for those who may not have enough "torch" to apply the heat needed for silver soldering. I wonder why it's not more widely used?

I am enjoying seeing the details of your build.  :ThumbsUp:
Not everyone has the welder or welding skills needed (I don't!) 


Very well done!

Offline Dan Rowe

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Re: The Wolf Nr 1
« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2022, 03:50:16 PM »
I like the boiler design and I have considered threading the tubes in the firebox but not the O ring in the smokebox which is cool enough for a lot of O ring material.

Yes even if you have the skills to weld a boiler you need the certification which is another important factor.

Cheers Dan

ShaylocoDan

 

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