Search found 132 matches

by TriangleTom
Fri Apr 16, 2021 3:30 am
Forum: Technical - non Engines and Boilers
Topic: Reliable Monitor Plans
Replies: 7
Views: 6732

Re: Reliable Monitor Plans

I would suggest you call Reliable and find out if anyone has built this hull. A revolutionary design that is very effective at dodging cannon fire, but the very concept results in a boat that is inherently not very seaworthy. If you can be OK with the seaworthy limitations, and want the novelty asp...
by TriangleTom
Wed Apr 14, 2021 11:02 am
Forum: Technical - non Engines and Boilers
Topic: Reliable Monitor Plans
Replies: 7
Views: 6732

Re: Reliable Monitor Plans

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Reliable Monitor plans ? I'm intrigued by the thought of building one in steel, but I'd like to know the community's thoughts before dropping a Grant. Any link Tom? I'd like to see what it's like. A search here drew a complete blank Sure thing! ht...
by TriangleTom
Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:31 pm
Forum: Technical - non Engines and Boilers
Topic: Reliable Monitor Plans
Replies: 7
Views: 6732

Reliable Monitor Plans

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Reliable Monitor plans? I'm intrigued by the thought of building one in steel, but I'd like to know the community's thoughts before dropping a Grant.
by TriangleTom
Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:27 pm
Forum: Members' Websites and Boats
Topic: DetroiTug's Tug is going together
Replies: 388
Views: 388653

Re: DetroiTug's Tug is going together

All the mechanicals seem fine, just need to ultrasound and hydrotest the boiler. Five years ago, I adopted the regiment of ultrasounding every 5 years and it's due. I used windshield washer solvent as antifreeze, I'll see how that did. The steam car people use that as well. Ron Do you leave your bo...
by TriangleTom
Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:41 pm
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Theory question: Pressure/temperature limits
Replies: 28
Views: 13274

Re: Theory question: Pressure/temperature limits

An antiquated way of producing hydrogen was to pass steam over a red hot iron surface, forming hydrogen and magnetite. I suppose that could have been what occurred in such an instance? Probably from an underfilled boiler, although I can't imagine a red hot boiler tube would be able to hold back the ...
by TriangleTom
Thu Feb 11, 2021 4:10 pm
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Theory question: Pressure/temperature limits
Replies: 28
Views: 13274

Re: Theory question: Pressure/temperature limits

I'll scan and post the page later, but in one of the Audel's books there's a (purely theoretical) design for a quintuple expansion engine that takes 1500 PSI from the boiler. Ron is pretty active in the steam car community where they push pressures a LOT higher than we do, so he may be able to give ...
by TriangleTom
Tue Feb 09, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: After Coal?
Replies: 48
Views: 25357

Re: After Coal?

One thing that may be worth taking into account when considering the economics of using oil as opposed to coal is that although the fuel itself is more expensive, will a launch really burn that much of it? A 4 hp launch, operating at a measly 4% efficiency, should only consume about 2 gallons of fue...
by TriangleTom
Mon Feb 08, 2021 4:19 pm
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: And Now for the Twin
Replies: 159
Views: 311610

Re: And Now for the Twin

Beautiful work as always. Really exciting seeing the whole thing come together.
by TriangleTom
Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: After Coal?
Replies: 48
Views: 25357

Re: After Coal?

It may be impractical depending on how a boiler likes it and what residue it may leave behind, but since coal has gotten more expensive and difficult to acquire several people I know have converted their garage/shop stoves to burn dried corn. It's widely available, environmentally friendly, dirt che...
by TriangleTom
Thu Dec 10, 2020 5:15 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Vacuum gauge location
Replies: 5
Views: 3681

Re: Vacuum gauge location

Dietrich, that is a gorgeous engine!