Funnel design?

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ianrichards
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Funnel design?

Post by ianrichards » Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:14 pm

Can anyone give me advise on what specification to build a funnel.
It’ll have a 4” internal diameter and be double skinned.
I have considered twinwall, bit I can’t say I’m too impressed with the appearance.
A bit of advice on how to finish the top (so it looks good) and how to fix it to the top of the boiler would be appreciated too.
TIA
Ian
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by fredrosse » Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:28 pm

As far as obtaining a good brass fitting for the exit of the stack, they are available specifically for this purpose, but at a healthy price. Looking on ebay you might find a nice brass piece that could be adapted, based on some brass bowls, or urns, or even the fancy top fitting on an umbrella stand.
ianrichards
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by ianrichards » Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:01 pm

Good idea
fredrosse wrote:As far as obtaining a good brass fitting for the exit of the stack, they are available specifically for this purpose, but at a healthy price. Looking on ebay you might find a nice brass piece that could be adapted, based on some brass bowls, or urns, or even the fancy top fitting on an umbrella stand.
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by Mike Cole » Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:41 pm

It depends on how much polishing you like doing. I went for the simple look. A steel band bolted to the top and painted black. Just any thin stuff you have laying around about 4 inches high , a coat of paint each year and it looks new.
It might have been riveted on i cannot remember now. I have a white enameled funnel a black top looks good. ( and no brasso required)
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by cyberbadger » Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:35 am

My sister has suggested the serrated top/crown that is popular on some American paddlewheelers for Nyitra.
Image

You can also paint funnels.. I think I heard that during some war time, whether compulsory or voluntary, funnels that were flashy were blacked out.

I found this funny:
Funnels vs. house flags

Among the shipping lines covered in the 1934 flag article in National Geographic magazine,

some had funnel markings which very close resembled their house flags,
some had funnel markings which had only a general similarity to their house flags and
some had funnel markings which had nothing in common with their house flags.
Source: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/x~hf.html#funnels

There is a lot to image browse if you want to look at examples of house flags+funnels.

Image
Image

By the way you can buy t-shirts of different funnels: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/steamboats/

-CB
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by barts » Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:43 am

Otter's stack is titanium - 7" diameter APU tubing from Boeing Surplus circa 1989 or so. Since titanium is corrosion proof and naturally a muted gray color, I left most of the stack unpainted, and just paint the top 8" or so flat black w/ stove paint; this hides the soot that accumulates at the top of the stack very nicely. Otter's stack is not lined.

- Bart
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Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
ianrichards
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by ianrichards » Wed Dec 13, 2017 7:49 pm

As my boat’s home port will be Calstock in Cornwall and on the River Tamar, I think it fitting to pay homage to the “Devon & Cornwall Tamar Steam Packet Company” who’s livery was a simple blue stack with a black top.
I just need to sort out what shade of blue that is.
I already know the shade of black ;-)
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by Oilking » Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:59 pm

Bart,
Alas the demise of the Boeing Surplus Store.

Dave
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by Mike Rometer » Fri Dec 15, 2017 4:28 pm

ianrichards wrote: I already know the shade of black ;-)
Which one would that be then?

Light black. mid black, dark black, or even darkest black?
Retirement is about doing what floats your boat!

A BODGE : - A Bit Of Damn Good Engineering.
ianrichards
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Re: Funnel design?

Post by ianrichards » Fri Dec 15, 2017 4:40 pm

Henry Ford’s black I would think
Mike Rometer wrote:
ianrichards wrote: I already know the shade of black ;-)
Which one would that be then?

Light black. mid black, dark black, or even darkest black?
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