Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: Pragmatist on November 27, 2019, 07:27:15 pm
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I am really liking the idea of steam driven R/C boats. I am trying to read up as much as possible but god this is a tough one. Can anyone recommend a good UK manufacturer of Model boat steam engines?
Thanks in advance.
Matty
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http://www.pendlesteamboilers.com/
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Bonjour Matty,
If you wish some information about steam driven R/C steam boats and if you can listen to French, I would kindly suggest you to watch my playlist "Généralités vapeur" on my YouTube channel (see my signature).
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Maybe this company
https://www.stuartmodels.com/ (https://www.stuartmodels.com/)
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Hello Matty
There are a # of places to look Pendle steam, Clevedon steam ,PM Research and Macc model engineering are some I have used
Rick
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Matty......you may need to expand your vision and look on the World market for model marine steam engines
You will also find examples from manufacturers from France, Japan, Australia, the US and China
If you intend to use a steam engine plant in public, then UK boiler certification is critical..[the link provided by C-3PO is an excellent place to start]
As always, talking with members of a model marine steamboat Club in your area is always a good place to start :-))
Derek
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At the simple end of the market.
http://www.tonygreensteammodels.co.uk/
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Thanks all. Will check out some of those youtube videos. Lots of reading today will be the first port of call.
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I took a lot of advice before buying my steam plant. Take your time and my advice is to buy your boiler and gas tank from the UK for back up should you have an issue or need advice on it’s correct use. I would recommend Pendle boilers as Nigels products are just fantastic. Then you can fit an engine of your choice from anywhere in the world
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Many thanks all for the advice thus far. I’ve decided to go with Pendle for the boiler and will be contacting Nigel soon. I’ve still got lots to read up on and decide on a boat. Something African queen lole would be very nice. I know Krick does some ideal boats.
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As a footnote has anyone had any dealings with Martin Baylis? He also seems to have a decent website showing his steam plant kits?
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Bonjour Matty,
I have personally met Marty during our last "Atlantica Steam" event and he is definetely a great manufacturer and a great guy.
Here some videos I did on the boats he brought with him :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN4Y3gLdp-U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN4Y3gLdp-U)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHYDk3-TAEM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHYDk3-TAEM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLj-5f_mKs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLj-5f_mKs)
Just a concern, as I say he is the Rolls-Royce man of steam, and living in France, I find him expensive, even if quality has a price.
This is subjective, I agre, a good friend of mine bought him one of each machine he makes !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aODJSUsjB3E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aODJSUsjB3E)
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Bonsoir Raphaël. Yes I have been in contact with a few manufacturers and will be looking at Miniature steam now. It’s a bit of a minefield but I am getting some excellent advice.
Looked at some of your YouTube videos and they are amazing. Steam driven R/C is fascinating to say the least.
Matty
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Matty.......if you are considering a complete engine/boiler plant from out OZ Ministeam, you will find confirmation that their boilers are manufactured to the relevant Standards and supplied with a Boiler Test Certificate that mirrors UK Test requirements
Your own Boiler Inspector may wish to see the boiler relief valve function on steam....save to ensure no mechanical damage occurred during transit etc
The Ministeam WEB page also confirms air parcel post Rates to Overseas Countries, so you know first hand your costings prior to the quotation stage
Again I suggest talking with members of a model marine steamboat Club in your area is always a good place to start
Derek
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Thanks Derek,
Good advice there. I wish mini steam did their steam plants in brass/copper colour instead of black though.
I’m guessing if I asked they could possibly oblige as I assume it’s only a protective coating.
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Of course Matty... a personal preference
My Scottish boiler as supplied with with matt HT black enamel........one of the issues I found was using ''Brasso" proprietry polish on the associated brass/bronze accessories [boiler bands] when wiped with an over rub of Brasso resulted in [the 280g/l of Methalated Spirits and 6 g/l of Ammonia concentration chemical brew] dulled & dissolved the paint surface to leave a black deposit on the cloth
To counter this, I prepared & resprayed the boiler + chimney externals with black gloss VHT canned spray enamel [high temperature spray enamel for automotive applications]
Further in a quest to minimize heat loss, like may I lagged the boiler with wooden slats
So after this, I found the Brasso aggressive brew also dulled the gloss black VHT....... >>:-(
Polishing the chimney bands proved challenging with the Brasso, so ultimately changed to an alternate metal polish "Metal Magic" :-)) which does not dull the gloss black over wipe from polishing the boiler bands
NB - I have no association with Metal Magic, Reckett & Coleman or and Ministeam Australia
Derek
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Bonjour Matty,
To my opinion, it is a bad idea to let a boiler nude. The more you insulate it, the more you save calories[/size] [/size]for the steam itself.
I confess that, by lack of room especially at the [/font]ferrules level[/font], several of my boliers in closed hulls remain only painted but I do not approve myself.The height, some purists even blamed me for insulating my "in hulls" boilers with wood instead of iron sheets >>:-(
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz9ccJ-HVow)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz9ccJ-HVow[/url]
And an idea for vintage pipes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmKRx0VrZVs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmKRx0VrZVs)
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So the Krick Borkum and engine have been ordered. Just gotta decide which boiler to go for now, followed by separator tank etc. Really enjoying learning about steam. Gonna be an interesting journey.
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Matty.......
The Krick Bordkum is a superb open design vessel to showcase the chosen steam plant.....the scale/sizing is also user friendly for both sailing and transportation [sailing applies to steam engine propelled as well as sail power]
You will find quite a number of dedicated on line links for example build/steam plant etc, which will offer invaluable reading :-))
[there is/was a dedicated WEB site set up for the steam plant selection]
Keep us posted as you progress
Derek
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HI Matt pm sent.
Stan.
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Ok Stan