Measuring in Grams, full canister weighs 275g. When down to 125g I will use the remainder on the blow torch. Geoff

Nice regulator!!!

Well I have sorted the boiler & burners at last. I have been working on the engine now that  has started to stop when running on slow, and not self staring after. Well as the saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it. Some people never learn. So it comes apart again.  I think the pistons have worn and steam is getting by. So cutting a grove & adding graphite packing. Also fitted new bearings. Geoff

Hi Geoff,
the packing and bearings certainly wont hurt,  at least its best now than when everything has been finished  good luck with the mods   

Well I have been on the Engine Builders web site. The consensus of opinion is that heat expansion is the problem. Yes this has happened since I lagged the cylinders. So I will be lapping the pistons again, for more clearance. So the piston will be loose the graphite forming the seal. Living in hope that will cure the problem. Geoff

I have been following it over there also.  Good luck with 

Is there no place to hide, Pee Wee? Well all thet advice and nothing any good. I thing I will Install it all in the Duke and run at full power. Geoff

I have found the trouble with the steam engine at last. In the photo it can be seen I have removed the side of the bigends. This was done because there is not enough room for the crank, gear and bearings. When I have a problem with the port faces leaking steam I removed quite a bit of metal. I thought there was still room but no touching in one place and forcing the port faces apart. Leting out enough steam to stop it at slow revs. I will be soldering on a thicker port face, making new bigends. Geoff

Seeing as things a quiet on Paddleducks. I am starting a new Build thread Compton Castle

Glad you have found the problem Geoff   

Is no one building anything as it is very quiet on Paddleducks.  I have noticed people are looking though, as this thread has had 161, in the last 7 days. But Totnes Castle only 12.
Sorry to say the Duke has still not done any serous sailing, I have not been good of late. Ran her up in the workshop (the engine)  and I am considering changing the gears for a belt & pulley, as the gears are a bit noisy. Geoff

Hi Geoff we have an extension at Creely till the end of Feb. Hope to see you there Roger

Roger, The weather will have to improve, although we have on snow here. Still long john cold out there I am staying in the workshop.
I have been looking on Exeter club web site just waiting for some good news.  Geoff

Hi PD's.....RGY....you say....'I am considering changing the gears for a belt & pulley, as the gears are a bit noisy' 

Is there no way to quiten down the gear noise?......is the noise really from the gears or the alignment or shaft supporting structure?

I posed a similar question to the builder of the model Alaska on Mayhem........you will have read the posting 

We all understand than unwanted mechanical noise can be off putting  , however could you isolate & eliminate the noise issue you have as gearing is much more visually prototypical than having elastic bands on a steam drive 

Derek

Derek. Running the plant out of the boat, the noise is not bad at all, but the hull is acting as a sounding board. Perhaps I will do as you say and try to insulate the sides with soldering mat, this will also protect the timber, in the water should improve matters as well.  Geoff