A Small Live Steam Copper Boiler

An example of a small live steam copper boiler that was built in a home shop using appropriate gas welding skills. This boiler is only used for low-pressure operation of small live steam engines.

This video is for entrainment only is not to be consider as acceptable safety practices. The boiler in this video may or may not pass local, state boiler safety specifications and should not be used as a model for building boilers. Steam can be dangerous and must be used with caution.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Live steam
• model railroad
• steam engine
• machine shop
• lathe
• mill
• shop
• machinist
• boiler
• tools
• copper
• crafts
• woodworking
• metal working
• Lathemaster
• mini lathe
• railroad
• homemade

[ntrains]

Could you run a small boiler of this size on wood or coal with proper grates?

[johnrob281]

@ntrains -- Thanks for watching my videos. Yes, with some slight modification this boiler can use coal or wood.

---John---

[MrTrainboy1]

so the boiler is best for a 0-4-0 right

[johnrob281]

Correct, it would work for a small 1.5 scale 0-4-0 or mid size ¾ scale. Ive used it mostly on stationary steam. ---John---

[pow0006]

Would it be possible to braze or silver solder with a large LPG gas torch?

[johnrob281]

The short answer is yes. The log answer is maybe.

Brazing and soldering are two completely different operations; brazing requires a much higher temp. Also the material being brazed/soldered will affect the size of torch needed.

A copper boiler this size takes a torch that puts out a lot of BTUs since the copper transfers heat really well.

Hope this helps

---John---

W5CYF (Ham Radio)

[fyrefyter101]

Very Very cool! answered many of my questions on a thermocycle boiler! thanks again John!

[ntrains]

@johnrob281 Thanks for answering so quick this is the size im goint to build for my hobby boiler.

[fernandesilyt]

Did you calculate the efficiency of this boiler?

[TheTeslaJet]

It's a great backpack boiler design too!!!!! a tad heavy maybe LOL!

[TheTeslaJet]

Nice, I have a good pro welder with ticket to make my boiler thank goodness. 2 pressure releases a gauge and pipe thread filler. Do you have heat transfer ribs inside the boiler on bottom? Hard silver solder for jewellry is strong for low pressure. Great vid!!! I test my tigged fuel tanks to 2.5 times the psi req. to be safe.