Originally Posted by
101 Ron
Old tubes have been very carefully cut out with a tungsten carbide cutter as there is no room for a grinder.
( It takes about an hour to cut away just one end of a tube)
Tube replacement and barrel replacement is been done in Two stages so dimensions can be kept under control.
The boiler is currently with the pressure vessel welder.
17 x 500mm long tubes
9 mtrs of tube needs to be purchased of 4mm or better wall thickness.
One picture shows wiles senior and wiles junior safety valves side by side.
They are different sizes, but the boilers are the same size ???????
The safety valves are to be sent away for testing and inspection to keep the boiler inspector happy.
A new glass is currently being made for the pressure gauge.
I Found a siphon for the gauge, but it is a bit wasted, so I am trying to find some suitable pipe to make a new one.( the original pipe used is not a drawn tube, but has a seam running down the side which is surprising to find on a boiler)
In another photo I found in my stuff is a large brass operation plate which is only fitted to earlier Wiles senior cookers and all the stationary units.
As built they didn't fit the plate to the juniors.
There is nothing special about the steel in the boiler or tubes...
..it is just mild steel.
The housing the tubes are welded to is flat plate which has been pressed into shape and the side of the box welded up...
.all very simple using non strategic materials for a WW2 design.
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