The Steamboating Forum

An update on the blog @ interior hull work.

http://steamlaunchiona.blogspot.com/

S. Weaver wrote:... interior hull work...

nice progress - keep it up

Greatings from Hartwell, GA

Hah-hah, Rainer, you're in the South again for the 4th of July! Stay cool.

Another update - deck structure; rudder and steering gear; hot well. Not pictured: boiler; helm station; and condenser continue a pace.

http://steamlaunchiona.blogspot.com/

She looks beautiful! She'll be a true work of art when she's finished.

--Steve

Another update for boiler mavens:

http://steamlaunchiona.blogspot.com/

All the best,

Looks good Steve!

Should be a dandy steam maker.

-Ron

S. Weaver wrote:Another update for boiler mavens:
http://steamlaunchiona.blogspot.com/
All the best,

And ditto, mates. I finished the one friend's boiler over the weekend and it is ready for the hydro, the A.I. and the stamp.

More anon,

Stephen wrote:More anon,

Yes please - send some pictures!

I like the tube rolling process but never did it. Tube rolling here in Germany is less strict reglemented than boiler welding... Where/how have you learned the tube rolling process?

Rainer,

First choose the correct size of tube expander, oil it, as it accumulates metal particles clear them and re-oil, after some time you will feel the expander begin to "bite" then you stop. Do all the tube ends, fill the boiler with water and attempt to pressurise, leaks will be obvious so you expand those ends a little more. I then leave the boiler at working pressure overnight which finds any 'seepers'.

I have had tube expander rollers neck and elongate and found that 0.9 % carbon steel (Stubs silver steel) replacements hardened and tempered to a spring temper make excellent replacements. Also rollers need to be finished by lapping or they cut.

This should probably be under engines and boilers!

Good steaming

John