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[steam up]

A friend asked me to look at a steam plant he had picked up some time ago (two years in a draw).
The steam engine was identified by a fellow Mayhem member after an afternoon cleaning up the engine it ran like a sewing machine.
The boiler pressure tested was passed on to me after a week the fittings have been produced lagging added and planking in place.
The steam plant now needs pipework and an oil trap the whole unit to be placed on a tray.
Think he'll have to fight me to get it back  .
The boiler has a number of water cross tubes could anybody give advice on a suitable burner for the unit?

[pipercub1772]

The Caton usually ran with a single poker burner but would benefit from updating to a ceramic burner you could try maccsteam or jerry at clevendon steam,regards Alan.

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Update:

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Does anybody have experience of a suitable prop size?

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Progress update:
 
 

[SailorGreg]

Very nice indeed.   

Can you tell us what hull you have put the plant into?  Any other construction details would be welcome as well - to me at least, as I'm about to embark on something similar.  As for prop size, I suggest you go to the sticky at the top of this Steam page entitled "TVR1A prop size" - I know it's a different engine, but it's not that different, and there's a lot of relevant info there.  Something like a 2.5" prop with a nice coarse pitch (3 or 4"?) seems to be the way to go, but don't take my word for it, wait for those who know what they're talking about - I certainly don't! 

Do keep us updated.

Greg

[steam up]

The hull was an Ebay purchase the superstructure is now in the bin.
I think the hull is a lot older, constructed from soft wood using the bread and butter technique.
It measures 55" by 8.5"

[KNO3]

The steam plant llloks great after the refurbishment, and the cabins also. Is there any progress?

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Cabin is almost finished I think Dennis the owner said he would bring it around to show progress next week I will try to take some shots.

[kiwimodeller]

Not sure of the bore and stroke of your Caton engine but I have recently tested a 16mm by 16mm double acting slide valve twin in a 50" Navy Picket Boat hull. At 40 psi it will comfortably turn a 90mm 4 blade prop! Every time I try another steam engine I have been fooled by how big a prop you can get away with and every time I go bigger the amount of steam needed is reduced and the length of the run is improved. I have not yet tried a Prop Shop steam prop with more pitch than diameter but I will have to get one sometime soon as they seem to be the ideal solution if there is not room under the hull for a really big prop. My suggestion would be to fit the biggest prop you can get under there. Hope this helps, cheers, Ian.

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Thanks for that I will pass it on to the owner

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Almost at the finish line . If the weather holds it might get its bum wet this Sunday.

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One more

[SailorGreg]

She looks lovely.  You've done a great job on the rebuild.  I hope the maiden voyage goes well on Sunday. 

Greg

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Not mine but a friends just offered help with the steam plant 

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Had a test run today looked good on the water,one or two changes to make regarding the prop.
Well done to Dennis and the second get together on Saltwell park lake of the "other lot" .