I'm not try to cut corners with safety. That's why I'm getting an ASME code boiler, and will be using all pipes/fittings rated for steam pressure above my MAWP.mtnman wrote: Imagination is for artist. Facts and test are what steam engineers use. Crazy ideas mixed with steam will get you hurt.
ccdewitt wrote:I too have embraced the manning style boiler however I added an extended firebox also known as a bustle. It stands about 46” high, with an 18” diameter barrel.
The short coming inherent in a VFT is the small fire box and grate area. The manning seeks to address that issue however I still didn't feel that there was sufficient volume in the fire box so I extended the fire box. It is my intention to burn solid fuel, wood, charcoal, coal, and old tires. (Just kidding about the tires)
There is a wonderful example of the extended fire box or sawmill boiler in Fort Bragg, California. It is riveted construction with about a 48” diameter barrel and stands 10 or 12 feet tall.
My boiler is a code boiler with the pretty little clover leaf stamp. This boiler has a knuckle radius ogee transition drawn from a sheet. I am not a fan of 90 degree corners if I can help it. Obviously the tube sheet is a corner as is the mud ring. The entire back end is the fire box door which will open like an oven door; the damper is to be directly under the door.
I hung some brass on it for show. Next up is the ash pan and grates.
Lund(Jeff) is building the boiler (I started the thread) on the first page of this thread. I have enjoyed coming up the design with him back and and forth within my requirements.farmerden wrote:If Lund is building it-let him build it -you will not be disappointed . He looks after all the traction engine guys so he's been around the block -so to speak!! Den