The Steamboating Forum

Just got this in a while ago and did some rudimentary testing to check for accuracy.

This little unit seems to be very accurate, the parallel mics at .499" as well. I've checked about ten places on the boiler shell and it appear to be checking at .375" /.370" in different locations. I was most concerned about the mud ring area. The paint must be removed and the surface must be smooth for it work accurately. Grinding the paint and a bit of steel while doing so is probably the reason for the .005" variance.

It comes with a rather large tube of coupling agent, just clean the area, put a small dab of agent on and as soon as the transducer "couples" it reads the thickness.

Will check thickness from .06"/1.5mm to 7.0"

It has 17 different presets for a range of materials. Aluminum , brass, stone, plastics, etc.

For $120 on Ebay, it looks like a pretty good investment. Of course this doesn't substitute an actual boiler inspection by a qualified person, but it gives one a basic idea of the condition of a boiler shell.





-Ron

Is there a brand name and a model number on it? I want one of these soooo bad!
Mike

Mike,

Here is the Ebay listing. Looks as though it is CE certified. Takes about two weeks to get here to the states. I could not find any US sellers. There are a few companies here that make these, they start about $2k. For me, it was either one of these or not one at all.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0712305717

-Ron

Ron:

Good for you! These things are essential for boiler calculations and knowing what you have.

Steve,

For sure. This boiler was purchased used and the seller assured me it was fired once, then dried out, sealed up and stored for a number of years. I think he was being truthful about it. When it comes to boilers, I'm a bit of Missourian . I like to see some actual data instead of simply relying on the exterior condition to judge the interior condition - and the sellers testimony.

Everything observed about it so far is consistent with the sellers claims. Having bought a lot of used stuff over the years, never really know what we're buying. And a boiler is no place to take anything for granted.

Planning to spend a few hours and map the whole outer surface at intervals and the water leg too inside the firebox. Then it will be ready to lag.

-Ron

NICE FIND!

I could think of several uses for a piece like that.

That would pay for itself on mapping the first cylinder block (Buick stuff)

Bit the bullet and ordered one. $140 with shipping from Hong Kong.

I can't wait to try the velocity function on wood and fiberglass of known thickness and variable moisture content.

Perhaps I'll try it on my skull! Does it work on stone?