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[Tim Logan]

I will be lagging my first steam boiler soon. How are the brass strips surrounding the lagging attached and tightened? Are they simply wrapped around the lagging; pulled tight as possible; and soldered - or is a screw clamp of some type used to tighten ithe strips around the lagging? Thank you for your input.

[DocMartin]

Brass banding is typically attached with (brass) nuts and bolts.  The banding is configured with 90 degree bends to allow the nut and bolt to be attached and tightened firmly.  An example from Martin Bayliss Engineering is provided.

[SailorGreg]

For my single attempt to put brass strips around a boiler I bent each end of the strip at 90 degrees, drilled a hole in the upstand and used a small nut and bolt to tighten the strap.  Sounds simple, but it took me several goes to get it right.  The strip needs to be just the right length and it is easier to drill the holes before bending, but you need to clamp the end piece very firmly to stop distortion from occurring as you bend.  I had several practice goes to get a neat bend and undistorted hole, but once you get the knack the rest go OK.  Good luck.

Greg

[Tim Logan]

Thank you DocMartin and Greg. That’s exactly what I needed to know.
Tim

[Bunkerbarge]

You will find it easier to fit the lagging with either tape or elastic bands first then deal with the banding when the lagging is all in place.  You need to be very careful when drilling the end of the banding because the plate is relatively thin and the drill can snag easily.  The end must be securely clamped.  I've attached a couple of pictures of a boiler I did.

[Mark T]

I did mine like this















But also get some ceramic lagging underneath the planking as this will help keep the heat in.

[Tim Logan]

Thank you, everyone! I’m now ready for the task!

[1967Brutus]

But also get some ceramic lagging underneath the planking as this will help keep the heat in.

What to buy and where to get it?

[Mark T]

You need ceramic paper insulation


https://shop.vitcas.com/ceramic-fibre-paper-1260-c.html

[1967Brutus]

Super, Thanks!

Seems fairly affordable too.

[Mege66]

Coming back to the insulating layer:
Is there really any benefit to installing ceramic fiber paper under the lagging? All my commercial boilers from Cheddar or Hemmens came without  insulated except for the wooden cladding. I was so far of the opinion that the saving of a few percents / grams of gas consumption per run would not be worth the extra effort at all.

[Geoff]

I actually used plumbers mat from B&Q as this is fire proof and provides very good insulation under the planks. I think its worth the extra lagging because the main effect is to keep the heat in and make the boiler a little more efficient and also to further protect the hull from excess heat. Less heat loss = better steaming and a bit quicker to raise steam.


Cheers


Geoff

[rhavrane]

Bonjour Mege66,
I would like to put Geoff's comments into perspective because we must take into account that the two faces of the boiler (horizontal) are not covered with anything, so the small gain from double insulation is unfortunately lost by these two large surfaces at open air.

[Geoff]

A good point but with my horizontal boilers I also use the plumbers matt at the non burner ends.


Cheers




Geoff

[rhavrane]

Bonjour Geoff,
  Every steamer should follow your example !