Re: BPE safety valve
Here is the reply I recieved from Midwest re purchasing the safety valve: > Dear Pete, > This is not a part we carry for replacement. > > > Thanks > Ruth > Midwest Products How do you argue with this kind of logic? Regards, PeteH > Midwest's Heritage series safety valve/filler cap will screw directly onto the > threaded filler bush on their "Model VI" boiler. You might want to contact > Midwest and inquire about purchasing one separately. > > Mike (Who really does care about safety) >
Re: BPE safety valve
Dan, My very first engine was a Midwest Boilered Project engine. After the second run, I rebuild the Boiler with 2" type L copper pipe, and a ½ " type L flue/Chimney. I put in a safety valve, and ran the 1/8" steam output line straight to the Oiler, then to the engine. the exhaust goes back to the Flue/Chimney. I didn't notice a real change in run time. My advise to you would be, buy the Midwest Kit, but also buy a safety valve and scrap the tubing, then ream out the caps to allow ½ " flue/chimney, and finally, use silver solder for all joints. Like Harry said, "brass, soft solder, and no safety valve are unacceptable in a miniature boiler PERIOD" Terry Griner Columbus Ohio USA >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 09/07/2003 8:31:00 PM >>> I'm still new to live steam and had considered building the Midwest steam engine, now I have some serious doubts. I recognize and agree that Safety is Number 1, I've been burned more than once (not in this Hobby) and worked as an aid in a "Debridement " ward, no thanks, I can do with out faulty designs and or bad practices around this wonderful pastime. Shortcuts can cost you bigtime, if not you personally, then some body else following a bad example relying on a hose to pop off as a safety valve? Not me Holmes, I'm not crazyI've learned a lot on this site, thanks all for good input and Good Advice ! Dan McGrath. >From: Harry Wade >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam >Subject: BPE safety valve >Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 15:36:12 -0500 > >At 12:32 PM 9/6/03 -0700, you wrote: > >I'm getting a little worried about everyone's safety inasmuch as so many > >keystrokes have been devoted to the perils of the Midwest Boiler > >Michael >At 11:39 AM 9/7/03 -0700, you wrote: > >Don't forget, folks... there are two "safety valves" on the Midwest > >steam engine... the first being the silicone hose popping off . . . > >Jon > > In other words there are NO safety valves on the Midwest boiler and >it has brass as a part of the pressure vessel structure. Why, when doing >it right takes so little additional time and effort, some of you continue >to recommend as safe and acceptable boiler practices which are directly >contrary to long-time world live steam practice and unacceptable in all >other major live steaming countries is beyond me. > I'm not anti-Midwest or anti-Project per se, and the purpose and >goal of the Project is an admirable one, but to me this isn't about having >an easily built project which is probably not going to cause an injury this >afternoon, . . . this is about what is good safe practice to adopt, and to >recommend to others to adopt, as a personal standard of safety for a >lifetime in live steam and that when followed will never result in personal >injury on account of a structural failure. This should be adopted as Rule >#1 for all of us. Those who for some reason can't see fit to adopt Rule #1 >should IMHO be shown the door. They are a danger to the rest of us. > Everyone is of course free to do as they please in their own garden >but to the rest of the organized live steam world brass, soft solder, and >no safety valve are unacceptable in a miniature boiler PERIOD and aren't >even open to discussion. One can't expect to post information to the >contrary to an international forum where so many people come to seek sound >information and guidance and not have it scrutinized, questioned, and >objected to, if only by me. > > >Regards, >Harry Wade >Nashville, Tn > Send and receive larger attachments with Hotmail Extra Storage.
Re: BPE safety valve
Boy, I sure agree with you on this one Harry! <> I post to the MLS board and have to constantly advise so many people of unsafe practices. There is a great deal of people new to steam there. I cannot imagine why the Midwest boiler is what it is except that it was originally designed to be in a boat. I guess their thinking was if gave out it would be at some distance from the operator :-). Certainly have seen many of them run just perfectly, tho. I could certainly, myself, never dream of designing and building any boiler without a safety valve or using soft soldering. Those of you who choose to modify the boiler should be very careful. And in the long run, if you are going to all that much trouble, it makes sense to start with the right materials and learn techniques in hard silver soldering. Just my .02 worth, Bob Starr
Re: BPE safety valve
Seconded. Remember ill-advised designs can cause accidents which end up attracting the attention of legislators. If you want legislators to keep their noses out, then don't give them cause. Not putting an ADEQUATE safety valve on ANY boiler is begging for trouble. Sam E One can't expect to post information to the > contrary to an international fourm where so many people come to seek sound > information and guidance and not have it scrutinized, questioned, and > objected to, if only by me. > > Regards, > Harry Wade > Nashville, Tn >
Re: BPE safety valve
I'm still new to live steam and had considered building the Midwest steam engine, now I have some serious doubts. I recognize and agree that Safety is Number 1, I've been burned more than once (not in this Hobby) and worked as an aid in a "Debridement " ward, no thanks, I can do with out faulty designs and or bad practices around this wonderful pastime. Shortcuts can cost you bigtime, if not you personally, then some body else following a bad example relying on a hose to pop off as a safety valve? Not me Holmes, I'm not crazy I've learned alot on this site, thanks all for good input and Good Advice ! Dan McGrath. >From: Harry Wade <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: BPE safety valve >Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 15:36:12 -0500 > >At 12:32 PM 9/6/03 -0700, you wrote: > >I'm getting a little worried about everyone's safety inasmuch as so many > >keystrokes have been devoted to the perils of the Midwest Boiler > >Michael >At 11:39 AM 9/7/03 -0700, you wrote: > >Don't forget, folks... there are two "safety valves" on the Midwest > >steam engine... the first being the silicone hose popping off . . . > >Jon > > In other words there are NO safety valves on the Midwest boiler and >it has brass as a part of the pressure vessel structure. Why, when doing >it right takes so little additional time and effort, some of you continue >to recommend as safe and acceptable boiler practices which are directly >contrary to long-time world live steam practice and unacceptable in all >other major live steaming countries is beyond me. > I'm not anti-Midwest or anti-Project per se, and the purpose and >goal of the Project is an admirable one, but to me this isn't about having >an easily built project which is probably not going to cause an injury this >afternoon, . . . this is about what is good safe practice to adopt, and to >recommend to others to adopt, as a personal standard of safety for a >lifetime in live steam and that when followed will never result in personal >injury on account of a structural failure. This should be adopted as Rule >#1 for all of us. Those who for some reason can't see fit to adopt Rule #1 >should IMHO be shown the door. They are a danger to the rest of us. > Everyone is of course free to do as they please in their own garden >but to the rest of the organized live steam world brass, soft solder, and >no safety valve are unacceptable in a miniature boiler PERIOD and aren't >even open to discussion. One can't expect to post information to the >contrary to an international fourm where so many people come to seek sound >information and guidance and not have it scrutinized, questioned, and >objected to, if only by me. > > >Regards, >Harry Wade >Nashville, Tn > Send and receive larger attachments with Hotmail Extra Storage.
Re: BPE safety valve
Midwest's Heritage series safety valve/filler cap will screw directly onto the threaded filler bush on their "Model VI" boiler. You might want to contact Midwest and inquire about purchasing one separately. Mike (Who really does care about safety)
RE: BPE safety valve
I second that. Chad I build stuff for law enforcement throughout the nation and Canada and I've come to the realization that the only reason we have laws and rules is to govern those who cannot think for themselves or be considerate of others. In other words we have laws to govern dummy's. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Harry Wade Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2003 1:36 PM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: BPE safety valve At 12:32 PM 9/6/03 -0700, you wrote: >I'm getting a little worried about everyone's safety inasmuch as so many >keystrokes have been devoted to the perils of the Midwest Boiler >Michael At 11:39 AM 9/7/03 -0700, you wrote: >Don't forget, folks... there are two "safety valves" on the Midwest >steam engine... the first being the silicone hose popping off . . . >Jon In other words there are NO safety valves on the Midwest boiler and it has brass as a part of the pressure vessel structure. Why, when doing it right takes so little additional time and effort, some of you continue to recommend as safe and acceptable boiler practices which are directly contrary to long-time world live steam practice and unacceptable in all other major live steaming countries is beyond me. I'm not anti-Midwest or anti-Project per se, and the purpose and goal of the Project is an admirable one, but to me this isn't about having an easily built project which is probably not going to cause an injury this afternoon, . . . this is about what is good safe practice to adopt, and to recommend to others to adopt, as a personal standard of safety for a lifetime in live steam and that when followed will never result in personal injury on account of a structural failure. This should be adopted as Rule #1 for all of us. Those who for some reason can't see fit to adopt Rule #1 should IMHO be shown the door. They are a danger to the rest of us. Everyone is of course free to do as they please in their own garden but to the rest of the organized live steam world brass, soft solder, and no safety valve are unacceptable in a miniature boiler PERIOD and aren't even open to discussion. One can't expect to post information to the contrary to an international fourm where so many people come to seek sound information and guidance and not have it scrutinized, questioned, and objected to, if only by me. Regards, Harry Wade Nashville, Tn
Re: BPE safety valve
Don't forget, folks... there are two "safety valves" on the Midwest steam engine... the first being the silicone hose popping off... the other, which everyone seems to be forgetting, is the spring-loaded cylinder lifting off of the port face. Also, the silcone hose would blow up like a balloon before the metal of the boiler would give out. The Midwest "Heritage" series engine includes a hard-soldered boiler (still with brass flue) and "real" screw-in safety valve/filler cap. I made a water gauge and added a pressure gauge to mine as well. Also, there are no zamak castings... the entire engine is brass. Jon
