Help please!

[Peter GalbraithParticipant @petergalbraith91042]

Hi everyone,

I recently installed a Krick Vertical Boiler into the small model steamboat ‘Anna’. I have been running the engine in and am very happy with the performance. However i have a question that hopefully someone can answer! The copper pipes were supplied with the boiler without any lagging on; i have seen a number of excellent models online that DO have lagging fitted to the main steam pipe – does this significantly improve the operation/performance of the model or help prolong the life of the engine in any way? My model appears to run very well without any pipe lagging, so if anyone can shed light on this matter that would be great! Secondly, if lagging is a good feature, where can i purchase some? From a novice point of view the lagging in the pictures i have seen looks very much like string wound around the pipe and coated in something!

Thanks

Pete

[Peter GalbraithParticipant @petergalbraith91042]

Pipe Lagging

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Peter

 

Lagging on a model boiler makes no difference to performance as the surface areas are so small, however it does prevent you from burning your fingers.

You are not far off with your comment of “looking like string” but I suggest that you log onto a model steam supplier for the correct item.

 

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

In my old days of steam locos, we used to use asbestos string! …….It was also used in the stuffing glands

 

I would try hemp string?

 

Bob

[Peter GalbraithParticipant @petergalbraith91042]

Hi Paul and Bob,

Thanks for your replies; I will have a browse around for something suitable to use – apart from the fact it will help prevent burns (!) i think it does look quite aesthetically pleasing! I didn’t think there would be any significant advantage in using lagging, not least due to the fact that the model seemed to run perfectly well without it!

Thanks guys, happy sailing

Pete

[Gerald Gardiner 1Participant @geraldgardiner1]

Hi Pete,

Lagging will make a small improvement. I have used cotton string (butchers twine) and then paint it with white heat resistant paint. I have seen others where they have used white out fluid and it worked.

Regards,

Gerald.

[Peter GalbraithParticipant @petergalbraith91042]

Great, thanks Gerald!

Have got some suitable twine, just need to hunt around for some suitable white paint…

Pete

[glennParticipant @glenn]

Hi Pete, I use butchers string & paint it with correction fluid. seems to work fine &  its easy to touch up when it discolours. over the years i have used just about every type of string, but dont use nylon based ones cos they melt!!

cheers glenn

[Peter GalbraithParticipant @petergalbraith91042]

Cheers Glenn, have taken Bob’s advice and got some hemp string; i’ve worked with hemp-based cordage before and it should do the trick…

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Hello Pete, as far as heat resisting white paint I use a white ceramic paint that the gas turbine lads use the only problem is the cost about £20 a pint.

 

Windy

[Phil ButtonParticipant @philbutton47234]

I use ‘normal’ round twine (from my local Post Office) fixed to the pipework with Evostik and painted with brilliant white matt emulsion paint from the DIY store – seems to work fine at the sort of temperatures met with in models.

 

Phil

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