Paddleducks
Other Marine Models => Live steam => Topic started by: tugsmoke on November 01, 2014, 05:14:09 AM
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Hi Everyone
A couple of years ago I became interested in building a steam powered tugboat. I consequently joined Model Boat Mayhem and sought advise about the size of engine required for the boat I had in mind. Several members who I guess may also be members of this group kindly gave me much useful advise and assistance.
The boat is a Mountfleet kit of Cruiser which is 45 inches OAL and 42lb displacement.
The engine I have built is a Borderer which was designed by John Bertinat back in the 1960s I think. It is a twin cylinder slide valve engine designed to have a bore and stroke in the range 1/2 to 5/8. Unsure about the detail I have opted to make it 5/8 stroke and 1/2 bore on the basis that if I need more power I can always open up the bore without to much difficulty. It is a very robust design and should operate at 60psig if required hopefully giving sufficient power with the right boiler of course. Unless I modify it, the stern frame will limit the prop to not much more than 3 inches diameter, so 3 by 4 inch 3 blade prop will be the target I think.
The engine is largely finished ( see pics attached) and runs fine on compressed air. I am now (other commitments permitting) working on the boiler feed pump and at the same time contemplating the requirements for a boiler. I rather fancy eventually incorporating automatic boiler level and pressure control so am exploring the features required on the boiler to allow this to be done. Gas vaporisation is also a subject in mind.
Hope you chaps find this intro interesting. If anyone has any constructive comment to make please do so.
I have just looked at the attachments box and realise that my picture files are much to large so I will have to figure out how to make them smaller and add them later.
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Hi Tugsmoke
Welcome to PDs, seems to be a interesting model.
Pics can be reduced or enlarged to any size you want by using IrfanView
http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at/
It`s free and works really good. I`m using it since years for all pics-applications, filesize can be changed to every format in pixels or %+ - .
Regards
Gehard
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Thanks Gerhardvienna for your tip about the photos. I believe I have managed it now, so for anyone that is interested in the Borderer engine I think I can now attach the pics.
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Hi Tugsmoke
Managed well, as IU wrote above, I use that program since years.
Just one short word to the engine: W O N D E R F U L !!!!! :clap :clap :clap
Regards
Gerhard
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Welcome among us,
for the motor :respect :no1b
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Welcome Tugsmoke.
A masterful piece of work you've done with this engine. :bravo :clap :terrific :respect
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Tugboat,
Very Nice piece of work. :clap :no1b :terrific
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Very nice. What boiler are you going to pair it up with?
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Hello Kno3
Well originally I intended to build a boiler of the Scotch type. Recently however, since I have other commitments and also do not have the equipment necessary to silver solder a large item like a boiler, I have been thinking of buying a ready made boiler. I have been considering the Maccsteam range of boilers and the chap there assures me that the 4 inch size that he makes will do the job adequately. I am still thinking it over while I continue to make the boiler feed pump which is part of the engine design. Have you any thoughts on the subject?
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This is my Borderer with a 5" vertical home built boiler.
There is more than enough to power the engine and drive the boat. I am sure the boiler suggested will do the job they are very good quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I09eqFWHb9E&list=UUFuUhc86L6pHMibb0Bzyw6Q
Nice engine by the way.