The Steamboating Forum

Can anyone recommend a person/company competent to repair a Blackstaffe boiler and based in Scotland? Despite our heritage, they seem to have gone the way of wooden denture makers and square-wheel turners.

Hello,

I just found "Nicol Boilers" based in Scotland with the startpage.com search engine.

Here is the link to their site with contact information:

http://www.nicolboilers.com/contact-nicol-boilers.html

Ramon,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my cry for help. I am aware of Nicol's but from past experience they are very expensive and deal only with large industrial boilers. A wee Blackstaffe with its many coils is not something they would look at.
Thanks again,
Barry

Hello Barry,

is it an copper or steel barrel? if its copper ask this guy in germany.

Regards Dietrich

Thanks Dietrich but it's a Scottish based boilermaker I'm looking for.
Cheers,
Barry

I don't know anyone directly who repairs boilers in Scotland, but I'm pretty sure Kevin Slater, our current SBA chairman and owner of Steamwell Boilers (near Gloucester) will know if there is anyone. The advantage of asking Kevin is that being in the business himself, he knows who does a good job at a fair price, and more importantly, who doesn't. The last time I asked, he was fully booked with boilermaking for around a year ahead, so I don't think he'll mind giving out the name of a competitor.

If, by chance, he did have a slot in which your boiler could be repaired, it would be worth considering driving for hours on the M6 etc. to take it to him. Kevin is a very decent man, and would do his best for you, whatever that may be.

If you look on the Steamboat Association website, it lists a couple of boilermakers/repairers in Yorkshire, and one in Derbyshire: nothing further north. That doesn't mean nobody exists in Scotland who could do the work, but it might.

Thanks for your reply. I know Kevin and have mapped out all (?) the reputable operators south of the Border. Inquiries within the Scottish steamboat fraternity have drawn a blank as far as locating somebody I would trust with an all-copper Blackstaffe are concerned. It looks like a trip to the north of England is on the cards.
Regards,
OS

Old Steamer wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:14 am Thanks for your reply. I know Kevin and have mapped out all (?) the reputable operators south of the Border. Inquiries within the Scottish steamboat fraternity have drawn a blank as far as locating somebody I would trust with an all-copper Blackstaffe are concerned. It looks like a trip to the north of England is on the cards.
Regards,
OS

It isn't painful, honest. I did it years ago. In fact the upper end of the M6 is probably some of our best, scenic wise!

Well, I suppose if I took an interpreter and a pointed stick to ward off the natives......

Old Steamer wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:55 am Well, I suppose if I took an interpreter and a pointed stick to ward off the natives......

Don't forget your Passport!