Sirius: Alco "Firefly" version

[redhouseluv]

Big thank you to Ron from the Alco firefly website for creating the template for the lagging - it worked out well and making a 0.020" fastening disc to hold it together was interesting

I couldn't look at the dayglo green any longer and went to town with the paint stripper - looks much better already

Having removed the baseplate and oiled top and bottom sides, everything seems to rotate very smoothly - fingers crossed it will run once I get a chance to make the inlet

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZoM0VO9vg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZoM0VO9vg</a>

[redhouseluv]

Award for dumb question.......

My early Christmas present arrived today, the Sievert gas torch, nozzle and regulator, I presume its just a standard propane gas bottle I need, like one for a gas BBQ?

The 1/4" BSP olive and nipple also arrived today (fits like a glove, TY); is anyone else experiencing Royal Mail stock piling packages and then delivering them all at once?

[crueby]

Merry Christmas!   Yup, standard  propane grill tank. Here in the  US its a 20 pound tank. Be sure to leak test the connections with soapy water. Look close at the threads, usually  left hand on these!

[redhouseluv]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll be going to get one of those 1st thing tomorrow morning and I'll be sure to test it!

[crueby]

Oh, and do you have one of those sparker thingies to light it? Do not use a match!      When lighting, it can take a few seconds for the  propane to fill the hose, light it with the valve cracked open, not wide open.


 

[redhouseluv]

errrr.....no, I haven't, I'm glad you mentioned it, as I'd rather keep my fingers

[Jasonb]

No you don't want one like your BBQ as that will be Butane (blue bottle) or garden/patio gas (green bottle)

You need propane in the orange bottle as the others have different threads/bayonet fittings. It's a left hand thread on the propane. Probably have to be a 7Kg as the smaller ones have been phased out.

I use a cheap cigarette lighter.

[uuu]

I've tried various devices for lighting.  I wouldn't trust myself with a cigarette lighter (My friend John is used to having no hair on his fingers).  I'm not fond of the kitchen stove lighters that emit a flame - they just get blown out by the rush of gas  (Crueby's noted you don't want too much gas at light-up).   The sort that just spark are very good. 

Or a welders sparker - which has a little cup to catch a pocket of gas:


Wilf

PS Sievert put a helpful little nick on the corners of all the hexagons that are left handed.  So you'll see the nozzle-end ones are right hand and the hose and regulator are lefties.  It's a handy reminder.

[redhouseluv]

Thanks for the replies - I was just about to order a bottle for pick-up, I have found the right type not too far away.

[crueby]

No you don't want one like your BBQ as that will be Butane (blue bottle) or garden/patio gas (green bottle)

You need propane in the orange bottle as the others have different threads/bayonet fittings. It's a left hand thread on the propane. Probably have to be a 7Kg as the smaller ones have been phased out.

I use a cheap cigarette lighter.

Ah, must be a regional difference, here in US we dont have as many variations,  the BBQ tanks for propane are what fit. Good catch!

[Jasonb]

The Garden or "patio gas" is propane but I've only ever seen then with a clip on type fitting and all the regulators for that are low pressure so you won't get the heat out of the gun which would take us back to square 1

[redhouseluv]

All sorted - I now have an orange bottle, with screw connector which I checked has the same thread as the regulator. I'll hook it all up and have a new attempt at soldering ........ if you don't hear from me, things haven't gone well   

[AVTUR]

I use a Sievert 3488 handle which includes a low flow gas setting. Once it is set up with just the slightest of pilot flow and no main flow it can be safely lit with a match.

Two words of warning: Alway use spanners to do up the unions, particularly on the handle. A hose failure valve should be used downstream of the regualtor. Putting the torch flame through the gas supply line would be very interesting.

Propane torches can give out a lot of heat. I do all my silver soldering outside. Too many things can catch fire in a workshop. Think about what you are wearing. Oily cotton overalls are not a good idea. Again I have a welder's glove on my non-dominant hand. Also, Propane bottles should stored outside.

Given the above, silver soldering is a very satisfying occupation. You may meet all sorts of interesting problems. Have fun and I hope you progress on to heat treatment.

AVTUR

[redhouseluv]

Thanks for all the valuable advice, I'll check all the connectors and do the soap trick to ensure a good seal. I have sparker arriving tomorrow so it will probably be the weekend before I give it a try.

I'm looking forward to it, I enjoy learning new practical skills, especially as I sit in front of a computer all day wishing I was in the workshop 

[redhouseluv]

I'm finding all sorts of interesting things on this engine

- The conrods halves have matching numbers stamped on them
- Like a car the engine and 'chassis' have serial numbers which also match

I found an appropriately sized pressure gauge to replace the missing one, but was looking very shinny, so aged it with some bicarbonate of soda and tea