Hello, LIGHTENING THE BOAT, I live in Fayetteville and am building a large sternwheeler. Not too manyy steamers in this area. Perhaps we shold get ntogether and compare notes.

Regards Richard

Have reinforced rubber cup packing ever been usd in a piston feed pump? Seems that the pressure and temp. ratings could easily handle job.

I don't know...put some ball bearings around the wrist pin and this design may reduce friction.

I would like to contact anyone who has experience with lamont boilers, especially low pressure ones. I have many questions I would like to bounce around. Lamont-using steam car inthusiasts advise that the outside steam/water drum hold the same amount of water as does the firebox generator tubes with...

I havn't built one- but I have recently stripped one down to it's bare bones and if you like I could take photos and post them on here? Greg I have often thought about porkeys..seems so simple to build. I would really like to see the insides of an old porky to see if they have deposits built up. Se...

In response to the question about why to use aluminum for bearing material: I have worked with babbit in re-building my steam engine. Fun stuff, but a we bit expensive for the amount you get. But the more important reason is that babbit material may be hard to come by in Central Am. where we will be...

It is commonly accepted that mono-tube boilers can't explode due to the small amount of water held within. O.K. so far. I wonder, though, does the liniar configuration have anything to do with mitigating explosions should there be a tube failure? Any opinions out there?

So here's a few questions:
Anyone out there ever use aluminum for babbiting bearings instead of the regular tin or lead based babbit?
O.K. here's the next question: Has anyone ever used leather piston cups for a feed or wet/air pump?

Sorry to hear about the damage. Looks like many folks have their work cut out for them. Keep your spirits strong. This storm will be another story of challange and acomplishment when you get it some time behind it.

Gaffs for pruning a healthy tree - ouch, but not uncommon around here either. Back in the sixties there were very few boats with monotubee boilers. I'm getting the idea that the control technology is getting worked out pretty well. Did you have any trouble with bugs in the system when you first put ...