New Member Alex from Wollongong in Australia

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & welcome Alex from Wollongong in OZ 

I will let Alex mention a little about himself.....but he is interested in model vessels & steam  [two of lifes great treasures  ]

To answer your question Alex, there is very little in the Illawarra relating to model marine & steam......& yes the St George MBC is the closest facility

I will join when I finish my project & that will be a retirement dream for me

By all means start a thread of your intended build...........enjoy reading the volumes of build threads & steam articles

Any questions..... ...just ask away......there are many many talented members here from around the world who will make every effort to respond & assist

Derek 

 

[mogogear]

Alex mus be invisible ?? But welcome to you if you are there!

[Alex vk2kr]

Hi Derek

Many thanks for the reply and advice.

I am just a fairly fresh retiree whose eyes are not up to flying RC Model Aircraft anymore
and wanted another interesting hobby to keep active.

With the lake at the backyard (unfortunately salt water) I was hoping to build a dinghy
style model for the newly acquired Wilesco D52, probably something around 800-900mm
in length. Hmmm last time I did this was somewhere around 1963.

Once I wet my feet - I will see about obtaining one of the lovely small V-twins and
appropriate boiler&burner.

I must go soon to the Stuart Park steamers to beg/borrow/buy some of this elusive
"steam oil", was advised by an old timer to substitute "canola oil" but from experience
back substituting these types of oils for castor found that they gummed up engines fiercely.

At the moment diligently burrowing through the posts scavenging all the knowledge
I can from the maestros here so I don't make to many stupid mistakes.

regards

Alex

[the bombus]

Welcome to the site .
Hope you enjoy it .
I wiwh i hade a lake like that in my backyard
gr from The Bombus

[steamboatmodel]

Welcome Alex,
"I must go soon to the Stuart Park steamers to beg/borrow/buy some of this elusive
"steam oil", was advised by an old timer to substitute "canola oil" but from experience
back substituting these types of oils for castor found that they gummed up engines fiercely."
When you go take your engine with you so you get the right weight of steam oil (about 460 or lighter). The Wilesco engines and boilers tend to run on the wet side, I have found that if you run a loop of line through the boiler casing above the flame and add a displacement lubricator the performance can be improved a bit. The Canola oil would not work as there is no tallow in it.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Alex vk2kr]

Thanks Gerald

I will take the engine along as you suggest, and see if I can obtain
the oil.

The Wilesco is just so that I can get started in steam operations, and am eying
off the lovely little Avon Twin oscillator that I hope the Wilesco boiler will provide
enough steam.

D52 ~ 2cc double acting;  Avon ~ 1.1cc twin

 I am hoping the Avon allows for reversing operation.

 Later once I found enough information maybe upgrade to a butane
burner.

OK on the superheating of the steam, will try that later once I have sourced extra
copper tubing. Reminds me of my experiments when a kid.

Looking forward to having a hull constructed (simple) and on the water by spring.

regards

Alex

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's......... .......Alex.......Model Sports in Fairy Meadow stock & sell K&S brass & copper tube in 300 mm lengths, but it is the telescopic type & is in 1/32" diameter increments so is very thin wall. They also stock the 1/8" & 5/32" OD model tube benders ....these tube sizes seem near universal the majority of smaller model steam engine & boiler work...although European examples are hard metric sizing

Model Engineering Supplies in Tullamarine Victoria are a good source of heavy wall tube [1/8" & 5/32" OD]

They are good people to deal with a ......and the postage is not excessive.....Derek

[Alex vk2kr]

Thanks Derek

I have known the Mcfarlands for over 40 years and will visit to pick up the
tube benders that you suggest.

Will also check out Model Engineering for the tubing. I have a single steam engine
acquired from a long deceased mate that I think? is an early Stuart, will post a picture
once I find it amongst the stored engines (IC).

Thanks to all for the information

regards

Alex

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's......Alex...don't be tempted by the K&S coiled spring type type benders ...they are  & false economy considering the poorly bent waste tube

The minature tube benders [1/8" & 5/32" OD] as below are approx $20.00 each but offer to provide quality work & minimal tube wastage

A great investment considering steam tubing around your boiler & engine should be items of beauty  ....here is a 5/32" OD tube bend @ 180 degrees on 20 mm centres
  .....Derek

[Alex vk2kr]

Boy I hate waiting for parcels to arrive.

A new clinker 30" hull from Shane in Queensland for the Wilesco and sundry
bits and pieces from all over, notably a Forest gas tank and burner from the UK.

At least I now have a supply of steam oil from Western Australia.

Scrounged in my shed and found my little unimat 3 lathe, and plan & castings
for a simple double acting single oscillator engine that had been hiding for 20 years.
Thankfully Ron Sher will have a 4 jaw chuck on its way soon so that I can start machining.

I have enough material to try and make a proper steam oiler and a "chuff pot".

So no steaming for a while as I will be making lots of swarf soon.

regards

Alex