Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs
Popular Mechanics Boiler
tom osselton:
That looks quite impressive your safety valve looks to be quite natural and you could also adjust the spring tension easily with a spacer.
vtsteam:
Thanks Tom, I;m going to re-thread the top end of the barrel from 1/8" pipe taper thread to 3/8" straight thread so I can screw down the cap to adjust pressure somewhat. Probably put a thin locknut there if I do so the adjustment can be locked. Right now the friction of the taper thread works, but there's little adjustment.
The main adjustment on this type of safety valve, though is the spring itself. The current spring is a hardware store type. I have a few others with different rates that I bought today, but all are spring steel. Once I find the right one for the working pressure, I'll either order a stainless version from McMaster Carr, or if I have the right SS wire, try winding one myself.
I was wondering where I would find SS spring wire, and then remembered I have quite a selection of saltwater stainless steel fishing leader stock, which is about as stiff as music wire. I think i would make good springs.
Looking forward to tomorrow!
S. Heslop:
It looks real swish in black and gold; the best colour combination.
Have you got an engine to run with it?
vtsteam:
Oui!
several....
Although I really want to make a new one :drool: perfect excuse.
Might just try the old Tesla disk turbine first, though I have a feeling it won't do anything with this little (and this wet) steam. But you never know until you try. But it sure won't pose much resistance -- it has a nozzle efficiency of a soda straw. I have 4 piston steam engines of various sizes, another one half built, ......and well my top secret tunaturbine, the antiTesla, which has never been tried on steam, or indeed publicly revealed. I don't know if I dare speak of it even here...
tom osselton:
Well it sounds fishy!
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