Edwardian Steam Launch

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi all I have decided to start a new boat build. I thought some of you out there may be interested in the build.

This will not be a regular blow by blow build (Unless you ask it to be) as I am sure there are many out there that can do a better job than me. But it is more of a “have I done this right” build. I would welcome any help or advise on this adventure.

I am going to attempt to model a steam launch something like the Osprey, Branksome, Kittywake type that sail the lakes in north England.

This will be my first scratch build. This will be my first real live steam model. Although I did build the Graupner Glasgow with live steam that was with a readymade engine, boiler ETC.

Here are some of the bits I have that I want to use in the build.

I have an Orion Mouldings Edwardian steam launch hull that is 1.2 metres long and 23 CM wide and 12 CM deep.

I also have a Stuart horizontal Boiler, a hand pump, a condenser, a steam valve (servo operated) and a refillable gas tank.

Many years ago my late wife bought me the DVD set that Keith Appleton recorded on How to Build a Model Steam Launch. So this has given me some idea on how to go about the build.

I also bought and have just finished building the Graham Industries TVR1A BB twin engine.

I am very impressed with the quality of this little engine. I have just had it running on air for the first time. Here is a video of the TVR1A.

 

**LINK**

 

I hope this will be a little entertaining build.

and as I say I will be glad of any advise or help.

Thanks

Bob

Edited By Redpiperbob on 04/08/2020 11:45:36

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

An attempt to scratch build a steam launch

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

I have created an album for the pictures I will upload for this build

Here are the first pictures.

Edited By Redpiperbob on 04/08/2020 12:45:47

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

You have all the expensive bits

Nice to see I'm not the only person who has a model railway round the workshop

Regards Ray

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Ray yeh

Its taken me a year to acumilate the "expensive bits".

The railway… well thats for the winter months

Thanks

Bob

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

Hi Bob,

 

That's a nice large hull to get everything in. I would be interested in seeing how the model progresses. I am a fan of steam (road and rail) and would like to combine a boat with steam. Its somewhere on my bucket list.

The SL Branksome that you mention was in MB in the 80's it was a fine model, all varnished and looked great. I am sure someone on here will have a picture of it. I was in my early years and there was no way i had the skills to make such a beauty – probably still have not all the skills required.

Good luck with the build and keep us all in on the build.

 

Brian

 

 

 

Edited By Brian Dickinson 1 on 04/08/2020 19:00:31

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

hi Brian

Thanks for looking in I will keep you all informed. I too have a liking for rail steam I have a 16 mm NG railway in the garden and have built asteam loco sand i am building an "Ellie" tram.

I will keep you all up to date.

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

OK ladies and gentlemen

I have what I am sure is to be the first in many questions i will be asking.

Below is a line drawing of the hull I have . I have arranged the major items on what will be the deck as you can see I have a 40 mm difference in the height of the prop haft to crankshaft. The question is do I tilt engine and propshaft at an angle to meet or do I use gears or belt drive for the distance or is there another way around this problem?

What do you all think?thanks

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Well that's opened up a can of worms!

Colin

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Colin

You know me!!

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

Here's my starter for 10

Angle the prop shaft up & the engine down, hopefully they should meet

Regards Ray

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Ray thanks for that I am not sure about tilting a steam engine. Is that OK ?

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hello Bob,

The steam engine won't mind a slight incline, are going to mount the boiler and engine on a removable base ??

Obviously the boiler needs to be kept level with the waterline

Regards Ray

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Ray

Yes i was going to mount the whole lot on a ladder frame but I guess I can make two.One for the engine and one for the rest.

thanks

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Episode 2.

Isnt it funny how life gets in the way of hobbies I just could not find any time to carry on with the launch build last week so that’s why you have had to wait for this part of the discourse. Anyway I have managed to cut, install and paint the deck supports .These were made from 9mm birch ply and glued in place with Gorrilla glue then the joint were reinforced with Milliput epoxy putty. Then painted to seal all to the hull. The false deck was then cut out and shaped from cardboard. This gave me a chance to fit the prop shaft into position and find the angle to fit the engine (Thanks Ray). This was then transferred to 4 mm ply and I used my bandsaw to cut out the ply. I then planked the deck and turned my attention to the bulkheads these were made out of 9 mm ply. One in the bow and one in the stern. The bow bulkhead was to be the rear of the water tank to feed the boiler so this needed to be fitted with two feed pipes. Of which more later. And will also need to be well sealed this I will do with epoxy.

 

 

Edited By Redpiperbob on 22/08/2020 13:39:11

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Ok Ladies and Gentlemen I need some help please.

As I mentioned at the beginning this is my first scratch built steam boat. Could you please look at the diagram below and tell me of any errors in the plumbing layout. At first the water for the boiler will be feed to the boiler by the hand pump which in turn will be fed water from the forward compartment of the boat but later I plan to add an axle pump (driven of the crankshaft) or a Weir steam pump to supply the water.

Here are a couple of questions for you all:

1: do I need some sort of valve in between the hand pump and the boiler?

2: Can I run the whistle from one of the plugs on the boiler?

Thank you in advance

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

Looks a good diagram to me

You will need a non return clack valve into the boiler below the water line.

The steam take off for the whistle needs to be from the top of the boiler, maybe from the steam supply to the engine and have an operating valve in the line, maybe to a servo.

Regards Ray

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Ray thanks for that

would you have a link to a clack valve and whistle voperating valve ?

Would these do

https://maccmodels.co.uk/shop/1-4-x-40-whistle-valve-2/

https://maccmodels.co.uk/shop/3-8-x-40-1-4-pipe-inline-check-clack-valve-2/

or this as I have a Stuart boiler

https://www.stuartmodels.com/products/fittings–tools—accessories/boiler-fittings/check-valves

Thanks

Bob

Edited By Redpiperbob on 16/09/2020 13:03:41

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob,

I'm not clever enough to give you a link

But the 1/4" X 40 tpi is a fairly standard size, any way you can check the size of the threads in the boiler with Stuart Models??

The Stuart fitting is probably favourite, it's only a ball on a seating which lifts with the hydraulic pressure of the water from the pump and the steam pressure re-seats it.

Regards Ray

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Thanks Ray

The only problem is the Stuarts boiler has 1/4" x 32TPI so I will need an adapterstrange they dont sell a direct fitting I must phone them

Thanks

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

thanks Ray all sorted and ordered.

Thanks once again

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

 

Hi all

I managed to get a bit done on the build this week first I lagged the boiler, condenser and the gas tank. The first coat of varnish was applied to these but not rubbed down as these items will get a lot of handling in the near future so finishing them will wait for the moment these are shown below. I also finished the axle pump as seen in the pictures. But I am not sure if I am going to fit it. I also turned the water cap for the bow from brass.

 

To be continued……….

Edited By Redpiperbob on 20/09/2020 16:39:34

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

I then fitted the rudder and the prop holding these in position with cyno glue and then epoxying them with Milliput. Then came the false deck and the false side panels. These I glued in with epoxy. Then the servo brackets were cut and fitted and the servo leads were fed through the aft bulkhead into the rear compartment. Then I placed the steam components into the hull to get a sense of the space needed.

To be continued ………

Edited By Redpiperbob on 20/09/2020 16:40:01

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

I then turned my time to the fabricating of the ladder frame for the majority of the steam plant this was made of brass angle and will be screwed together with brass screws and nuts. (At the moments they are just steel screws and nuts.) This I then placed in position in the hull.

I then fabricated the benches to hide the servos. I then varnished these.

Next will be the floatation test. I need to make a tank to float the hull in this will be a wooden frame and some plastic storage boxes and a pond liner. (That will teach me for removing the bath and making a wet room.)

 

well thats it for this week see you next week

Bob

Edited By Redpiperbob on 20/09/2020 16:38:53

[geconParticipant @gecon]

Really magnificent work Bob!

Regards George

[Author]

Posts