Steam engines and boilers

[chucketn]

I have built only a few steam engines, 4 to be exact. All run nicely on compressed air, as I haven't yet built a real boiler. What style boiler would you suggest for demonstrating model steam engines?
I am not yet at the point I am ready to build a complete paddler, that is far in the future. I would very much like to build a safe, small boiler to be able to run and  demonstrate my engines. The boiler will have to be scratch built, as the cost of kits I've seen is prohibitive.
Can you reccomend a book on making model boilers?

Chuck

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & welcome Chuck.....

1. To demonstrate your steam engines [on live steam] in a public arena  .... you will most probably need boiler certification and some form of  Public Liability insurance cover 
2. So the most inexpensive part of model steam is the book on model boilers
3. Most if not all commercially built model boilers will come complete with boiler certificate......    as most association's or steam model groups will review such certification....but to comply with their own rules & insurance regs may ask that your boiler be inspected, tested & certified by one of their own registered boiler inspectors
4.  this is why many steam model engine exhibitions use compressed air as the exhibit medium 

Keep us posted with your progress............ Derek   

[chucketn]

Well Derek, I am not a member of any steam club or group other than the forums, and will be displaying my engines only in my home to friends and family. I would love to be able to purchase a manufactured boiler, but the cost is prohibitive. Thus I will be making/building my boiler.

Chuck

[R.G.Y.]

Compensation culture has a lot to answer for Chuck. Small brass boilers sold as toys are only checked in the factory, but make one to your own  design look out. The powers that be think you have made a bomb.
I have made 5 boilers of my own only had one tested officially. BUT I DO TEST THEM myself to twice working pressure.
The vertical with a gas burner would be the simplest just to run  engines. Twenty psi will be plenty of pressure to run you engines with no load.  In a paddle steamer a horizontal is better for its low centre of gravity.
The book you want is Model Boilers & Boilermaking. By K. N. Harris.   RGY

[chucketn]

Funny thing, RGY. I searched this forum for build info on boilers and found a link to that exact book as a .pdf on Google books. I have downloaded it and am reading it now!
Lots of stuff well over my head, but as I develope enough to ask questions, I'll bring them here.
Thanks!
Chuck

[R.G.Y.]

Chuck. The important page is 31 the formula for the thickness of metal for a given pressure.
 One thing to remember if you run an engine free it will use a lot more steam than when under load. All to do with RPM.