Re: VPC Drawings
At 09:16 AM 8/12/03 -0500, you wrote: but for all builders >the gears, which are not to my knowledge commercially made, would probably >cause the average amatuer machinist quit a bit of distress. I know they >would me. > >Regards, >Harry Hi all I believe Kozo Hiraoka tells how to make the gears in his book on the Climax and it is back in print from Village Press Publications. Ian
Plans
With all of this talk about the pattern pool and scratchbuilding and wheels I would like to raise the question of plans. Where did they come from and if you made them would you be willing to share them/sell them? A plan pool? Ian
Re: Mich Tempest in our teapots
At 09:54 AM 2/20/2000 EST, you wrote: >I have absolutely no training in any of the stuff lawyers do, but Rule 47 (c) >seems to exempt us from any of this stuff. We are using it as a HOBBY, we are >not a vehicle because we cannot readily carry human passengers, and as far as >I know, do not engage in inter or intra state commerce. >As Grace said, "Where's the beef?" >Keep your steam up! >Walt > Hi Walt Take another look at the code. They are creating a distinct difference between miniature boiler (as used on a model traction tractor or to power a model steam plant or other stationary steam engine) and a miniature locomotive boiler. A "steam or marine engine" is different from a "Miniature locomotive boiler". And then in "R 408.4512 Miniature hobby locomotive boilers." they give us the rules to follow for our locomotives. They make no minimum size distinction. The only thing that may exempt some models is the phrase "and which is for public display or use". We are still weighting for some one to contact Marty Knox or one of the other representatives on the Hobby Locomotive Committee of the Michigan Board of Boiler Rules for an explanation. Until then we need to be patient. I am glade I don't live in Michigan but I realize that this is something we may all face someday. Ian (31) "Miniature boiler" means a power boiler that does not have any of the following: (a) An inside diameter of the shell of more than 16 inches (b) A working pressure of more than 100 psig (c) A gross volume of more than 5 cubic feet (d) More than 20 square feet of heating surface. (32) "Miniature locomotive boiler" means a miniature hobby steam locomotive boiler which operates on a narrow gauge track that is less than 24 inches wide and which is for public display or use. R 408.4047 Exempt boilers. Rule 47. These rules do not apply to any of the following: (c) A miniature steam or marine engine used for a hobby. R 408.4512 Miniature hobby locomotive boilers. Rule 512. (1) A miniature hobby locomotive boiler is designed to be operated on a narrow gauge track of less than 24 inches. (2) At the initial inspection of a miniature hobby locomotive boiler the owner shall provide the chief boiler inspector with design specifications and calculations for review and acceptance. If a boiler is approved for use, then the boiler division of the department of consumer and industry services shall issue an identifying state number and a deputy boiler inspector shall attach it to the boiler. (3) The owner shall ensure that a miniature hobby locomotive boiler has the following minimum equipment: (a) A pressure gauge calibrated to approximately 1½ times the operating pressure, but not more than 4 times the operating pressure. (b) A means to extinguish the fire in the firebox in the event of a low water condition. (c) Two means of feeding water to the boiler, 1 of which shall be operable while the locomotive is stationary. (d) A water level gauge glass located so that the top of the bottom nut of the gauge glass will be approximately 10% of the distance between the crown sheet and the shell, but not less than ½ inch above the crown sheet. (e) Two safety valves set at not more than 10% above the operating pressure for boilers fabricated after the effective date of the rules. The capacity of the safety valves shall be equal to or greater than the calculated steam generating capacity of the boiler. (4) The owner shall determine the maximum allowable working pressure of a miniature hobby locomotive boiler by calculation. In place of acceptable calculations, the owner shall subject the boiler to a hydrostatic pressure test of 1½ times the owner specified operating pressure. (5) Triennially, during the certificate inspection, the owner shall hydrostatically test the boiler to not more than 1½ times the operating pressure. (6) The boiler division shall develop procedures, policies and check lists necessary to accomplish the inspections and tests required by these rules. (7) Repairs to miniature hobby locomotive boilers are exempt from the licensing and permitting requirements of the act. Repair welding shall be made in accordance with the requirements of ASME code section IX. Welding procedures and performance qualification shall be filed with the boiler division for review.
Michigan Boiler Code
Hi There is a new column in Live Steam on boilers titled "Making Steam" by Marty Knox. In the Jan. Feb. 2000 issue Joe Rice introduces him and comments that Marty is one of four representatives on the Hobby Locomotive Committee of the Michigan Board of Boiler Rules. Perhaps the people up in Michigan are not complaining about this situation because there are having good luck working with the state. Ian
Vulcan Duplex
Hi For more information on Vulcan Duplex locomotives check last months Live Steam (Jan. Feb. 2000). On pages 12 through 15 in the Tracks column is a reply from Alan B. Armitage to a readers inquiry about these locomotives. It includes 5 drawings and two photos. Have a fun weekend Ian
Michigan law
Hi All Go to HTTP://www.state.mi.us/webapp/orr/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=4 0804001&Dpt=CI&RngHigh=and read the entire law. These look to be the important parts of the law but you should read the entire thing. (22) "Hobby" means an interest or activity that a person pursues in his or her leisure time without compensation. (31) "Miniature boiler" means a power boiler that does not have any of the following: (a) An inside diameter of the shell of more than 16 inches (b) A working pressure of more than 100 psig (c) A gross volume of more than 5 cubic feet (d) More than 20 square feet of heating surface. (32) "Miniature locomotive boiler" means a miniature hobby steam locomotive boiler which operates on a narrow gauge track that is less than 24 inches wide and which is for public display or use. Rule 24. (1) The owner shall ensure the inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and piping is in accordance with the national board inspection code, 1998 edition, and its addenda, except as modified by these rules. The national board inspection code is adopted by reference in these rules and may be reviewed at the Okemos office of the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, Bureau of Construction Codes, Boiler Division. The code may be purchased from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229, or from the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, Bureau of Construction Codes, 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, Michigan 48864, at a cost as of the time of adoption of these rules of $70.00 each. Rule 47. These rules do not apply to any of the following: (a) A boiler under federal control. (c) A miniature steam or marine engine used for a hobby. (d) A boiler used in the power plant of a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for transportation of persons or property on a highway, except for a vehicle used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. R 408.4153 Illegal to operate without valid certificate. Rule 153. A person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall not operate a boiler under pressure in this state to which these rules apply without a valid inspection certificate. An owner or user who causes a boiler to be operated without possessing a valid certificate shall be subject to the penalty prescribed in section 24 of the act. R 408.4512 Miniature hobby locomotive boilers. Rule 512. (1) A miniature hobby locomotive boiler is designed to be operated on a narrow gauge track of less than 24 inches. (2) At the initial inspection of a miniature hobby locomotive boiler the owner shall provide the chief boiler inspector with design specifications and calculations for review and acceptance. If a boiler is approved for use, then the boiler division of the department of consumer and industry services shall issue an identifying state number and a deputy boiler inspector shall attach it to the boiler. (3) The owner shall ensure that a miniature hobby locomotive boiler has the following minimum equipment: (a) A pressure gauge calibrated to approximately 1½ times the operating pressure, but not more than 4 times the operating pressure. (b) A means to extinguish the fire in the firebox in the event of a low water condition. (c) Two means of feeding water to the boiler, 1 of which shall be operable while the locomotive is stationary. (d) A water level gauge glass located so that the top of the bottom nut of the gauge glass will be approximately 10% of the distance between the crown sheet and the shell, but not less than ½ inch above the crown sheet. (e) Two safety valves set at not more than 10% above the operating pressure for boilers fabricated after the effective date of the rules. The capacity of the safety valves shall be equal to or greater than the calculated steam generating capacity of the boiler. (4) The owner shall determine the maximum allowable working pressure of a miniature hobby locomotive boiler by calculation. In place of acceptable calculations, the owner shall subject the boiler to a hydrostatic pressure test of 1½ times the owner specified operating pressure. (5) Triennially, during the certificate inspection, the owner shall hydrostatically test the boiler to not more than 1½ times the operating pressure. (6) The boiler division shall develop procedures, policies and check lists necessary to accomplish the inspections and tests required by these rules. (7) Repairs to miniature hobby locomotive boilers are exempt from the licensing and permitting requirements of the act. Repair welding shall be made in accordance with the requirements of ASME code section IX. Welding procedures and performance qualification shall be filed with the boiler division for review.
Re: Tin
At 08:05 AM 1/30/2000 EST, you wrote: >Gary, >I'm really more interested in ingot or bar stock to melt and pour. At that >price I couldn't afford it! And to think we used to use literally tons of the >stuff to coat steel cans not too many years ago. Even made rain gutters and >downspouts out of it! >Unfortunately there are not many old houses here that had gutters, used to >get the stuff when in PA at demolition sites. >Keep your steam up! >Walt & Lunk Hi Walt How about tin solder used in plumbing work, it is at least 95% tin, no lead. Ian
