The Steamboating Forum

mtnman wrote: Imagination is for artist. Facts and test are what steam engineers use. Crazy ideas mixed with steam will get you hurt.

I'm not try to cut corners with safety. That's why I'm getting an ASME code boiler, and will be using all pipes/fittings rated for steam pressure above my MAWP.

As Bill Durham wrote, "Nearly all present steamboatmen are confirmed handworkers and tinkers and have a fraternal feeling for steam".

You can't be a tinker and not use Imagination and Creativity.

-CB

I too have embraced the manning style boiler however I added an extended firebox also known as a bustle. It stands about 46” high, with an 18” diameter barrel.
The short coming inherent in a VFT is the small fire box and grate area. The manning seeks to address that issue however I still didn't feel that there was sufficient volume in the fire box so I extended the fire box. It is my intention to burn solid fuel, wood, charcoal, coal, and old tires. (Just kidding about the tires)
There is a wonderful example of the extended fire box or sawmill boiler in Fort Bragg, California. It is riveted construction with about a 48” diameter barrel and stands 10 or 12 feet tall.
My boiler is a code boiler with the pretty little clover leaf stamp. This boiler has a knuckle radius ogee transition drawn from a sheet. I am not a fan of 90 degree corners if I can help it. Obviously the tube sheet is a corner as is the mud ring. The entire back end is the fire box door which will open like an oven door; the damper is to be directly under the door.
I hung some brass on it for show. Next up is the ash pan and grates.

ccdewitt wrote:I too have embraced the manning style boiler however I added an extended firebox also known as a bustle. It stands about 46” high, with an 18” diameter barrel.
The short coming inherent in a VFT is the small fire box and grate area. The manning seeks to address that issue however I still didn't feel that there was sufficient volume in the fire box so I extended the fire box. It is my intention to burn solid fuel, wood, charcoal, coal, and old tires. (Just kidding about the tires)
There is a wonderful example of the extended fire box or sawmill boiler in Fort Bragg, California. It is riveted construction with about a 48” diameter barrel and stands 10 or 12 feet tall.
My boiler is a code boiler with the pretty little clover leaf stamp. This boiler has a knuckle radius ogee transition drawn from a sheet. I am not a fan of 90 degree corners if I can help it. Obviously the tube sheet is a corner as is the mud ring. The entire back end is the fire box door which will open like an oven door; the damper is to be directly under the door.
I hung some brass on it for show. Next up is the ash pan and grates.

Whats the total sq ft of heating area of your boiler

ccdewitt,

I like it!!

-CB

The extended furnace looks like it has staybolts, so the entire furnace is water cooled?

If Lund is building it-let him build it -you will not be disappointed . He looks after all the traction engine guys so he's been around the block -so to speak!! Den

58 sqr foot
130 MAWP
Firebox is surrounded with water and there are a bunch of stay bolts.

That is a nice looking boiler. Can't tell from the pic how many tubes?

-Ron

farmerden wrote:If Lund is building it-let him build it -you will not be disappointed . He looks after all the traction engine guys so he's been around the block -so to speak!! Den

Lund(Jeff) is building the boiler (I started the thread) on the first page of this thread. I have enjoyed coming up the design with him back and and forth within my requirements.

It's a little different prospect to get a modern ASME replacement for an known quantity like a traction engine boiler then work with a boiler maker and come up with your own design.

ccdewitt's boiler is not to my knowledge built by LundMachineWorks(Jeff Lund) - but it looks great also!!!

VFT (Vertical Fire Tube) FTW (For The Win)!

I appreciate water tube boilers, especially fired with wood or coal, but I'm a fire tube boiler guy, especially VFT aficionado.

-CB

Hi, CC Dewitt's boiler, I am just a bit concerned that the circulation above the fire box may present problems? Meaning that the free release of steam “bubbles” maybe compromised? Otherwise a really workman like piece of boilermaking.
Regards
regards Jack