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[newsteam]

Hello
im new to both modelling and steam so eeh this thread will be filled with alot of stupid questions and hopefully in a not to distant future alot of picture:)
Just threw away a mail to mike and hopefully ill have a 3 1/2 inch boiler as my first part on this exciting journey into the world of steam boats:)
im having a hard time deciding on wich way to go on the boat.. cant really find something that fits. i want a clinker/launch thingy with alot of wood but - all the $ they cost.
actully i wanna find a 100% wodden boat even the hull..
im not 100% clear on what tools are needed and what engine to buy.. im not even sure how to connect the pipes to the gastank/engine etc.


MVH
Daniel

and yes im from sweden;)

[mogogear]

Welcome ,

 Have you built models before? The boiler is top notch so good choice there.  Bernhard has done some amazing things with a " shelf / display " hull and made it water ready ..It is a Titanic life boat converted to open work boat etc..

They can be bought for $160 USD and have decent proportions....it is 33" x 10.5". Building can really provide what you desire if you are capable though.

http://www.mallcarts.com/vdir/vitem/AM-AS079



Have fun exploring want you want to do--Kingston also has a nice clinker / river launch hull I think--but it is GRP

http://www.kingstonmouldings.com/pdriverqueen.htm

[Prophet]

steam launch kits do cost $$ but that is to be expected with any boat build and more so when using larger steam engines, you are looking around the £300 mark for a decent all wood contruction steam launch but i assure you they look worth there value, heres a link to some

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/krick_steam_launches.html
i find these ones the best 
http://www.westbourne-model.co.uk/marten-howes-baylis-4390-0.html

the other option you have is to look for a plan and scratch build one, or buy a gpr hull and plank it in wood  look forward to seeing what you get up to

[KBIO]

Hi Newsteam!
Welcome to the world of "burnt fingers"!
If I had to make a suggestion, I would go for a open deck boat or  launch in order to watch everything untill you are confident with your equipment.
I would also start w/ a  serious second hand assy to limit the cost.
I've seen this one : complete , ready to run wth Stephenson reverse gear installed:
http://jpb-vapeur.wifeo.com/occasions-opportunities.php
Then, I'll ask to the "afficionados" of this forum who are of great help by their knowledges and talents!
I know it , as I come to get tricks and ideas on it!
Hoping to see you soon on the ponds!

[newsteam]

i got no experiance of modellbuilding but ill learn as i go.. it will just take alot of time and patiance.
still gotta learn to solder etc anyway:P
but hopefully ill get it all done by next fall.

i dont know if my economy lets me buy a boat and tools this salery but maybe the next:P

[Bunkerbarge]

I would take things one step at a time.  You have bought the boiler but not the hull when it would have possibly been better done the other way around.  I would get your hands on a hull, then you know what engine size you need to push it and then what boiler size the engine needs.

Before you go much further I would get a hull organised that would suit the boiler you have bought.  The lifeboat model above is an excellent starting point as our Bernard has demonstrated a number of times but it isn't very big so doesn't need a big boiler.  A 3 1/2" boiler would probably go into this hull, Bernard I'm sure will let us know for sure, and any of the engines he has used would do the job very well.

One possibility is a second hand engine but it is a bit of a risk.  You may end up paying a lot for something that needs a lot of attention so I would suggest having a look at the Graham Industries TVR1A kit.  It is probably the cheapest twin engine out there and assembly isn't too difficult as all the parts are machined and ready to fit together.  This would power the lifeboat hull very effectively and should run for somewhere in the region of half an hour on the 3 1/2" boiler.

By the way there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to steam models!!

[newsteam]

yea i know buying a hull would be the best start but i just feelt that a boiler is a good start to spark my intresst. i kinda got ADD when it comes to hobbies.. cant stay on one if i dont get any input:P so buying a hull first would probebly kill the fun. and im not aiming at something small anyway so 3 and a half should be in the middle.. looks better then the smaller maccsteam one atleast:P
i

[newsteam]

wow this boiler is "huge".. well atleast i got it:P now i just need to learn how to bend some copper and then to solder it together:)
mccsteam really does great looking boilers.
not a huge update but something.

will silicone tubes be enough for the gas so i can try it out this week?

[Bunkerbarge]

Although silicone can be used, you have to be very aware of the risks and so for someone new to the hobby I would very strongly recommend using copper pipes for testing things out.

You can buy a ready made connecting pipe that screws onto the top of a small disposable gas can.  This is very quick and easy and a lot safer than silicone.

Remember the key is patience.  If you rush things and make a mistake at the very least you could end up damaging something expensive and at the worst you could hurt yourself.

Take it slowly and make sure you know what you are doing at every step of the way.  If you are just going to flash up the boiler have you got all the fittings on it? Is it lagged? Have you got the right type of water? What type of burner? Have you got a jet recommended by MacSteam? Is the burner set up? Is the boiler fixed to a base? Etc...etc....  All sounds a lot but it's all important

As for pipework there was an article on pipework in Model Boats Magazine a few months ago, are you a subscriber?  If you subscribe you can have access to all sorts of old articles including a series of six that were published a couple of years ago aimed specifically at newcomers to model steam.

I strongly recommend you do some reading up before you start to apply any heat to anything be it the boiler or the pipe work!

[newsteam]

do you all run destilled water in this stuff?
i will attach it to something:P
i bought it with all the fittings.. lagged? never heard off..
the burner is mccsteams stuff.. so hopefully its what he recommends;)
well there is alot of stuff i dont know.. what i really need is someone with the time to show me this stuff.. and problebly i would need a tad help on the soldering..
hmm to bad this stuff is such a small hobby.

[Chuffy]

Like Bunkerbarge has said you do need to do some reading up on the subject, might sound boring but there's loads of information on the web, specialist books and forums such as Mayhem. Play by the rules (of live steam generation ) and it's a safe and very rewarding hobby, but I think you must accept that knowledge comes slowly and mistakes can be costly.

I started of in steam around twelve years ago building a 1/3rd scale Garrett traction engine from plans, metal stock and castings, though I had the boiler made for me . This project took three years to complete, but gave me the very best grounding in the world of steam and as a result i have a good collection of books on the subject, just counted 35 from where I'm sitting and every one worth it's weight in gold.

I would urge you if you can and before you start tinkering around to visit the Engineering Exhibition this month at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre or any place where there are steam people and just ask away. The Steam fraternity are a really friendly bunch and most of the exhibitors will only be too happy to talk to you, There will be boat, boat engine builders  and boiler makers and ordinary "Joes' like me there so fill your boots, and there will of course be specialist book sellers in attendance so take some cash with you.

Just take it easy and stay safe.
 

[newsteam]

the problem is that im in sweden and from sweden;) dont have the time to go to england.. hmm and btw i dont really wanna buy a truckload of books.. wanna put the money into the boat itself. but this hobby feels kinda, sorry to say this but old..
my other intresst.. driving my quad is far more easy to find info about.
maybe i should go to the local library and search away.. if there still is one.
i missed the swedish hobby mässan a perfect place to find modellers.

[newsteam]

hmm whats wrong if the burner wont light.. im going after then mccsteam instructions.. still no fire.. more then the chimney:P