HOW TO COAL FIRE A BOILER - MODEL STEAM ENGINES FOR BEGINNERS #5
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Step by step instructions on how to coal fire a model steam engine boiler. IF ANYONE WISHES TO MAKE A SMALL DONATION TOWARDS THE COST AND THE TIME THAT IT TAKES ME TO MAKE THESE VIDEO TUTORIALS PLEASE USE THESE LINKS: www.paypal.me/...
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MODEL STEAM ENGINES FOR BEGINNERS #5 - COAL FIRING A BOILER
How to operate a coal fired model steam boiler. Useful hints & tips on how to successfully caol fire a steam boiler.
I came for model steam engines, and I stayed for the dry humor.
please don't take this off of youtube. I love this video!!!
Why would he do that?
I bought the boiler a while back from a man in the New Forest (UK) & the pump was built by a friend of mine Don English - an exceptional model engineer .... I put them both together & made them work.
Hi Keith do you have this boiler still I want know if you want to consider selling it
I thank you all for your good comments :-)
Thanks for putting up this video. Very interesting and informative and I appreciate the time you took to do it.
This is awesome Keith. Completely taken with steam. I remember shoveling coal, yes coal. into my grandfathers furnace on his farm. I've since grown up loving trains and steam. I just "discovered" live steam in searching for a model railroad to build and I'm definitely going to go with a coal fired live steam engine. Expensive... But in my eyes well worth it and will be regarded as an heirloom to be passed down to my son.
I am wanting to build a boiler as well to possibly power a generator of some sorts, kind of like a science project only functional. Are there any guides or books to get to learn about building one ? The size you have demonstrated here would be perfect.
Is the Water pump (principally) a steam engine whiteout a "flywheel" and a cylinder that is connected to a pump (compressor-cylinder?) instead of a "flywheel"?
Yes, with an internal shuttle piston operating a second slide valve to make the pump self starting.
mate id be careful with them oily rags ive known a few people to have oily rags self combust
I can't say that I have ever seen spontaneous combustions . . .
Love this setup Keith, now I want one... but baby steps it is, first get my Stuart 10v made. Best Regards G :)
o great video im not a hobbyist i just like old type engines i drive a super Comp. dragster for a living but i stumbled across your videos and just love them ive been binge watching them all night . verry intresting stuff buddy . you are very good building and repairing them thanks great work
Better and better 🧐
Thanks John for the good comment. The boiler has a "wet" firebox where the fire is. With a coal fire on a dry firebox it would not be so efficient, and without fire cement or some insulation the paint would just burn off - this boiler is like a locomotive boiler with a proper "wet" firebox surrounded by water, so as the water is all around the fire which gets very hot indeed, it makes a lot of steam and is quite efficient.
Where can you get coal fired boiler from? Do you recommend any brands of boiler and steam engine.
I can't recommend any brands because most coal fired boilers are custom made.
There's a company called John Thompson here in south africa. It manufactures Coal fired and oil fired boilers
Yeah no problem. When we do overhauls at our museum, we have to re-seat the safety valves if they blow off more than 10 psi which at 180 psi is a loss of 18% of potential power. You never notice this as it only take a few seconds to blow off again. When your model boiler was blowing off from 70 psi down to 50 psi, that was a loss of 30% of potential power lol!
When firing using anthracite my fire goes out frequently and struggling keeping steam. Any tips for me?
Insufficient draft probably. If there isn't enough air travelling through the fire it will go out.
Is house coal better for when starting out firing?
Bituminous coal burns easier, anthracite burns hotter, like gasoline vs diesel. Try bituminous coal unless you've got ways to easily increase draft.
@@OfficialUSKRprogram Thanks will do that. I'm going to try some soft dry Welsh steam coal. What coal do you recommend?
Your pop safety valves are obviously much better than mine then, the safety valve in the video is a new one and seems to snap shut slower when new, but after a while settles down with around a 10psi drop usually . . . Thank you for your constructive comment.
Another perfect video, Thanks Keith.
Now you mention it - yes, although I am not from Liverpool like Ringo :-)
Hello Keith, I want to have a coal fired steam plant built. Could you put me in contact with someone who could help me out with this project? I want to use this in my high school science class. I'd really appreciate any help and advice you can give me.
+Heath Nicks There are some companies in the UK that build coal fired boilers. They are expensive and need boiler fittings etc. Also the boiler would need a test by a qualified boiler tester if it was for public use. I build complete steam plants, only as and when the parts come along. Shipping would be very expensive too as the parts are very heavy.
a beautiful boiler and a very interesting pump-system.
A very useful and enlightening video-very well moderated !
Thanks for sharing .
How do you get this thing up to say...88 MPH?
Hi Keith,
How do you size a boiler for a given engine size, are there any rules of thumb?
For instance, what size boiler is required to steam a little Stuart 10V, under load powering a boat or a generator set?
I have my 10V casting set, so now I'm thinking - where am I going to get the steam to run it!
Regards Paul
a 3 1/2 in diameter vertical or horizontal boiler will be fine for a Stuart 10V.
I got mine from Ebay, they frequently come up on there.
Hi Keith I've bought my 2" traction engine your videos are great for me
Thanks Dylan
Seriously bro your safety blows off for 20 psi, that's fucking useless. After 20 years of both model and full size engine operating, I find the pop type safety valves on all the models I've had only drop 5 psi and all the traction engines and locos I've fired/driven with ramsbottom and pop type safety valves only drop 10 psi. I think you should replace it!
Really enjoyed that. Whats the cheapest price a boiler like this would cost to buy, even if it requires repairs?
I gave this one to a disabled friend of mine and he got over £500.00 for it on Ebay I think. It is a good boiler. I removed the base, the whistle and the hand pump before I gave it to him.
Excellent video Keith! Sound knowledge, applicable to boilers of all sizes.
What is the diameter of your boiler and how thick is the steel it's made of? I'm curious because I'm planning on building a miniature steam loco boiler.
Would iron drain pipe or an old steel fire extinguisher be suitable?
Thanks
A very Informative Tutorial,,Many thanks for your efforts and for sharing with us Minions
Keith, i'm working my way through your excellent videos so i apologise if my question is answered in one of them. I was wondering what type of water you use in your boilers. Is deionised water or De mineralised water ok to use?
+Mr-Laing Ordinary tap water - I live in a "soft water" area
Can I use distilled water?
@@keithappleton hello I want to know if your interested in selling this boiler if you have it still I need it for a steam launch boat for a Stuart turner cygnet steam engine
@@bemoahmad9756I use distilled water for my model steam engine. I don’t know about full size. I hope this answers your question.
The hotter the fire the more steam and the more steam the faster the engine right???
That's more or less what happens . . . The hotter the fire the more steam and the more steam the faster the engine and the faster the engine (or if the engine is pulling a heavy load) the exhaust blasting up the chimney drags more air into the fire and it gets even hotter . . .
i need some help on a homemade train that runs off steam and coal the pipe for the smoke to come out of through the tank is lower than the top of the door do i need to lower the door (make it smaller) for the coal to burn it seems like it doesnt have enough oxygen
hi keith, ive always wondered what the ticking noise is at 4:50?
Did you not watch the entire video? it is the noise that the Steam Pump makes when it is pumping water into the boiler . . . .
Beautiful piece of machinery. Thank you for sharing!.
Kind regards!
Eric Dee
Yes, I found it very useful. Thank you !
Where can I get one of these boilers and pumps sent to New Zealand
very NICE VIDEO AND A COOL LOOKING BOILER / ENGINE SET UP
Well presented - interesting and informative.
did you build the boiler
+Carolina coaster No I didn't build it.
Why do full sized steam locomotives not need blowers to get the fire going like miniature locomotives and small boilers do?
ELPaso1990TX All full sized steam locomotives do have blowers, most of the time they arnt very relevant and noticeable, but the same concept on a large steam engine is the same for a model steam engine, to increase the draft on the fire (so it doesn't go out) while no exhaust is being created. In the case of a steam locomotive or traction engine, that is while the engine is setting still.
Our traction engine has a blower.
Can you run coal on any steam engine?
Josiah Aston If you have a suitable grate and firebox arrangement. But coal fired boilers are generally designed and built as such.
where can i find one of those fans?where did you get it from?
I love it! That is a beautiful little build!
Hey Keith, is coke okay to use to fire a boiler like this or a steam locomotive? Coke is much cheaper to get in my country and I find it hard to buy anthracite coal. TIA, Tom.
Should be OK, I personally have never used Coke, and I haven't used Heroin either :-)))
Very cool,Love steam it is alive!
I want one of these boilers so awesome!
Is the blow of point loud on a 75psi
Thanks for the very informative and entertaining video Keith.
Is there a formula for sizing a boiler with a particular size steam engine.
I'm trying to figure out my boiler for a 6 cu. in. engine, any suggestions???
Best Racing Tips Win At The Dragstrip A general rule is the bigger boiler the better. A bigger boiler allows a bigger fire & holds more water so therefore needs less attention than a small one as regards water level replenishment.
Where can I buy this steam engine
I sold it a while ago . . . .
Very good video! is this the same fireing technique for the 1 inch gauge traction engines?
Yes, coal firing generally follows the same principle regardless of the type & size of the boiler.
Have a sub! very good video indeed
Anyone told you, you sound like Ringo Starr narrating Thomas the Tank Engine?
No he doesn't
Are there fire tubes or just a jacket around the chimney?
Fire Tubes
Keith Appleton Thanks
wow, where did you get that?
I would like to buy one of these if you built it.....did you build it .....if not where could I buy one?
I didn't build it, I just assembled the Steam Plant and piped the Steam Pump to the boiler.
Hi there, thanks for that.
Is little and often best?
Not necessarily, it's a balancing act between coal & water . . . . .
Is it correct to say that the same principles apply to even the largest steam engine?
Yes, the principle is basically the same
That looks like a lot of fun
Thanks for that. How do I improve the draft?
I can only go into detail for my "Patreon" or "Paypal.me" subscribers. I just don't have the time ........
Keith, where do you purchase your water additive from?
If I need any, I buy from Blackgates Engineering.
Where did you get your steam coal from?
Blackgates Engineering sell it.
where did you get that kit ?
Is the steam blower just steam being routed up the stack to induce draft in the boiler?
Cessna 182a Yes. Also the engine exhaust is routed up the chimney stack to draw the fire when running.
Alright, thanks!
awsome video Keith
I want to buy one of these where could I get one?
The best one I have seen and tried out is available from www.castleinstruments.co.uk
Did you custom build this boiler? Do you have any plans or drawings?
Christian Holbert I bought the boiler more or less as you see it, all I did was test it & add the fittings etc.
Keith Appleton where did you buy it?
I bought it from a friend, you can get model steam boilers via Ebay - but be careful .....
Keith Appleton I'm trying to build a copper coal fired boiler like yours..... I wish there was a way for drawings or plans and prints of the boiler.
Interessanter Kanal! Habe ihn abonniert.
how can i get one
Can you run coal on a mamod steam tractor?
Josiah Aston No, not really ..........
Hi Keith. Is this boiler a single or multiple tube boiler?
Multi Tube
Thank you Keith.
Where can I purchase a Live Steam Boiler with the feed water pump like this ?
+Frank Napolitano I sell them - that's what I do . . . . www.mainsteam.co.uk
Keith Appleton Thank You. I can't seem to find the boiler listings ? is there an "add to cart" option when purchasing ?
+Frank Napolitano "Used Models" on any of the pages show what I currently have for sale. I am about to put some items on. There is no cart system, payment is by bank transfer after I send the invoice. Please Email me from the site and we can discuss your requirements.
Where can I buy this exact boiler?
You can't buy one exactly like this as it is a "one off" Design.
Ah, is there a similar one I can buy? Particularly stationary.
Why is the pump moving?
A bit of blowback from the clack valve ....
One question. is your boiler copper or iron/steel ?
+Matt Schuette This one is 1/4 inch thick Stainless Steel
Awesome, Thank you Keith. You've been inspirational in my "rise to steam" so to speak. I'm in the process of sourcing materials and tools for my first boiler, Fortunately I used to weld high pressure HVAC systems when I was younger so I have a leg up on the copper boiler thing =)
where do u buy your coal at
+Nathan Kiewel A local coal merchant - Anthracite "Beans"
What´s the name of the boiler
It has no name, the firehole door is from an old Stuart Boiler and the rest was made in stainless steel by a professional company many years ago.
Thank you☺
How much did the setup cost?
Quite a lot really .........
If I check the stores for a nice Steam plant. Holy cow! I mean your set is ..... ehh bigger lol So I guess... not cheap lol
God video btw ;)