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Borkum look a like

Started by Newby7

32 updates 194 likes
Newby7
Opening post · 6 years ago

Borkum look a like

I started thinking of a build to put my Graham TVA steam engine in.I found the Krick Borkum and thought it would be right for size and scale.This build was started early June.
First I tried to find a plan for her by getting in contact with Krick they answered but could not supply a plan.
Next making my own plan something that looked a bit like the Borkum.
From this plan I over sized the frames and cut them from cardboard mounting them on a building board.
The next step was to use the templates to cut the frames and mount the frames to the board.
The pictures show some of the steps I'm now using EZE Kote to seal and finish.
I'm not good at taking picture but will try and keep it coming.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and stevedownunder and
9 comments
  1. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Your welcome Joe keep building.
    I do like to build from scratch as I get the joy of watching it develop into a boat and like my Borkum look a like there are no plans so I have artistic licence to bring it to life.
    As a scratch build it will be a one of even if someone else decides to build one.
    Rick
    Liked by Nerys and Joe727 and
  2. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    The true scratch build, no plans and build to whatever you think she should be. Perhaps it would be a good idea if we were all that adventurous. That's how I always built my real boats. If it looks right, it probably is right.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Fiberglass

Using EZE Kote I fiber glassed the boat today what a wonderful product to use.The glass went on with ease I could move it around without my fingers sticking to it.
Two more projects were completed.
I built the condenser using 1-1/2" copper tube silver soldering the end caps and 1/4 -40 bushings.
The rudder was built using 1/8 brass rod and 1/32 brass plate silver soldered
Liked by Colin H and stevedownunder and
4 comments
  1. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Thanks for that Ed most of it is trial and error and to begin it was error.Saying that it is the only way to get started on soldering. Do small projects and work up. The other is good work area good iron or torch flux and clean all areas to solder.
    Rick

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Steam engine

I got the stuffing box and prop shaft epoxied into place .
With the couplings and engine together in place I got the height to where the engine will sit built a base and epoxied the base in .
The engine may need a shim when comes to final assembly but for now it seems in a good spot.
The last for now was to build platform for the condenser and later the gas tank opposite side for balance .
Rick
Liked by Colin H and stevedownunder and

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Rudder

Worked on getting the servo for the engine in place building a bracket to mount on the side of the boat.With the servo in place I built the linkage from the engine to the servo (pictures to come).It seams to work by hand but the real test will be hooking up the air to see if it will move from foreword to reverse and the need to fine tune.
Also installed the rudder and epoxied it into place.
Not sure how others feel when you start a project but i thought it was going to be a piece of cake to get the engine servo in place but it was the better part on 5 hours It's a good thing I don't pay myself by the hour .I'd go broke .
Rick
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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Servo

After mounting the engine servo it was on to getting a linkage to run the engine foreword and reverse.
I hope the pictures show the linkage well enough.
Hooking up the air and some fine tuning I was able to get the engine to run both ways.
On air it runs very well but steam testing will be the real test.
Also a picture of the rudder in place will need to get the rudder servo in next.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and Jimbo1 and
2 comments
  1. stevedownunder
    Commodore
    Hi Newby7,
    Your build looks good, looks like you are progressing quite rapidly.
    Do you intend to add an extension from the keel to support the lower end of your rudder it looks quite vulnerable as is.
    Buy the way I would say 5 hours to fit your engine servo is doing well, these things take time in my opinion.
    Cheers,
    Stephen.
    Liked by Martin555
  2. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Hi Stephen
    Thank you for the comments.Yes I do plan to support the rudder not sure what to use or how yet.
    Rick
    Liked by Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

In limbo

I haven't stopped building I'm stuck right now as i'm not sure of some areas to build and how to go about building them .I go on line to watch videos of finished Borkums trying to get a view of were to put seating and how big the seats are.How to hide the engine servo as best I can.Adding finishes to make it look good.
Rick
Liked by mturpin013 and ianed57 and

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Parts

Back to work.Having watched a few build logs and viewing where some items will go. I started to build the seats and a cover for the engine servo.These items may just turn out as a template as I view size and shape for each area.When I'm sure that each item looks right will take pictures to show location.
Rick
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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Seats and covers

I was able to get back to work on the covers.The pictures show where the seats will go and the steering counsel is in place.The bow cover is partially built as it still needs a hatch .The floor is in to cover the couplings and the council will be secured to it.All of the covers are set up to be removed for access to all components.
Rick
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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Parts

I've been building small parts painting these parts and staining covers.The servo cover I've made to look like a create will hide the servo wire behind the seat. The seats, floor and steering counsel are stained and sit in place but not glued in.For a while I may not do much as I'm waiting to hear that the boiler is back in stock.
Rick
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2 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Rudder Servo

Next bit was to get the rudder servo in place and set up I find it a struggle to do.
Getting the servo in place is easy but setting up to get the rudder movement gives me trouble.I built a rudder arm out of brass and copper and started the process of set up a lot of trial and error but finally got it to work.Made a rudder support and put in place temporarily
Then made covers for the seat and bow floor.
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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Covers

I find it hard to believe that I worked most of the day sanding and finishing the seats and covers.Jobs that need doing but don't show when done.I was in contact with the shop selling the boiler and it will be in the end of Sept. and I should get it by the end of Oct.The fun will start then.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and jbkiwi and
4 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    "I do hope no one falls over board trying to use the one hole spot."
    A combo loo roll and seat belt mounting perhaps Rick? 😁
    😎

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Change

With having to get the cover out to work on access to the couplings had to change my thinking on putting the seats in with glue.If the seats were glued in I would not have been able to remove the floor.Will build stands under the seats making them look like storage.Working out the details.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and Commodore-H and

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Seats

Built the supports the seats will sit on and glued the seats on.Cut some small pieces for the doors and glued them on.Will wait to stain when the glue dries.
The ships wheel is painted and in place
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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Lift out

Having built the seat supports sanding and fitting for height gluing them to the bottom of the seats.Leaving the floor in place glued the seats to the floor to be able to take all out at one time .Built a tube under the floor to slide the servo lead to the stern bottom right picture 4 .The result is what I was looking for the ability to gain access to the prop shaft and couplings.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and RNinMunich and
3 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Parts

I found a parts kit for the Borkum and ordered .Now have made up most of the part the new ones today are the bell and light stands. Bent the brass rods for the light and and bell silver soldered the bell and light and mounted where they will go.Placed the bollards loosely in position.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and Puddle-pirate and
2 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Primer

Was able to get outside to primer the hull.Use auto red I find it works well and shows up blemishes to be filled or sanded. Having it dry in the sun I sat and enjoyed the great day it was.An hour later it was down to fill with auto car body filler also red let it dry and start fine sanding the hull.Will need another coat of primer to see if I got most of the spots.Touch up sanding if needed.leave for a few days and hopefully finish coats.White for the above water line not sure yet on below.Thinking on British racing green.
Rick
Liked by Ianh and RNinMunich and
5 comments
  1. Martin555
    Fleet Admiral
    Doug,

    RE :- Be different, venture outside the box.

    Remembering to social distance LOL!!

    Martin555.
  2. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Not a bad idea having color and I do like green.A model boat mag. had a Borkum with Green bottom so may go that way or on top the jury is still out.I do know that a red bottom is out as I all ready saw that having fallen down with the primer.
    Rick

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

OPPS

Having used up my can of primer went to pick up more.The shelves where empty of the required product in the auto supply area.There is another area that has paint for indoor outdoor use.Looking at the shelves I found a can that read primer on the label .Home and outside with the boat to prim over my touch ups.That's when I find out it's in small letters paint and primer in one can.Problem is I now have a shiny red boat.Left the boat in the sun to dry and will be sanding down the red.
Rick
Liked by stevedownunder and Martin555
3 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    "Problem is I now have a shiny red ...."
    Ooh er!😮
    There's nowt worse than a shiny red bottom!😝😭
    Too much in the sun were we? 💤💤☀️☀️🔥
    😁😁
    😎
    Liked by Martin555 and Newby7

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Good news

Received an email that my boiler is on it's way.Thinking it may get here late Oct.
In-stale will start after that.Having the servos in place makes set up and running easy after the boiler is installed.
With the season winding down it will may be early spring before water tests can take place.
Been working on sanding down the red coat to be able to repaint white.Will need to wait a day or two as the wind has come up.
Rick
Liked by stevedownunder and Martin555 and
4 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    At your service Sir.
    All part of our 'Friends Across the Pond' effort in these strange times Rick😊
    I noted with interest that the number of enquiries for Canadian Citizenship from US citizens jumped astronomically during the so called Presidential Candidate Debate🤔
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    Liked by stevedownunder and Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Red to White

Sanded down the red filled in a few small areas sanded down wiped off and let the red paint finish to set up.
Was able to get outside Fri to set up and paint the white.
Had to sand and touch up one spot of white .
Today able to strip tape off and touch up dark stained areas.
Will let the boat sit until the boiler arrives.
Rick
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6 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler

Today was like Christmas as my boiler and gas tank where delivered.After checking that all the parts were there I read the instructions on assembly.Placed the parts out to take pictures of all the parts.The assembled picture is a dry fit for the parts making sure all threads fit before final assembly.
Rick
Liked by RNinMunich and MouldBuilder and
21 comments
  1. Ianh
    Commander
    Before they closed down Cheddar Models used to build some excellent steamplant, I their range was quite a few designs for Steam Launches.
    I believe that all the designs were were purchased by Clevedon
    Liked by Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler Start

After checking that the threaded parts went into the bushings with ease.I started the cladding of the boiler.With a small square drew a line on the boiler to start the first row of wood.From that first row every thing goes until reach a bushing.At the bushing the fine work comes into play to fit the wood around the bushing.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and RNinMunich and
5 comments
  1. Ianh
    Commander
    Looking Good
    You should band the boiler with some thin brass and some BA bolts also in brass you solder and bend the banding to suit
    Liked by Martin555
  2. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    "Are you going to fit brass bands around the lagging just in case the CA doesn't like the heat?"
    To quote my dear ol' Grandad Steve-
    'If all else fails, use bl***y great nails!'😁
    Liked by Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Banding

Thanks all for the interest in the build.Yesterday having finished the cladding and staining painting a coat of urethane. The kit came with two bands that I put on after drying to hold the wood in place also made a third band and put it on.In the process of making the tubing to run steam.
Rick
Liked by MouldBuilder and stevedownunder and
3 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    " ... will be taking some latter today."
    Latter day photos, very good Rick👍
    I do like a bit of nostalgia, not what it used to be though🤔
    All right all right! Don't get steamed up😮
    😁😎
    BTW; very pretty broiler ... er boiler👍
    Liked by Martin555 and Newby7

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Silver soldered

Made up all the piping from boiler to engine from stack to condenser from condenser to engine.Lagged down the boiler mounted the engine in spot to dry fit all piping. Satisfied the piping was good proceeded to silver solder all the pipe work.The next step will to steam the boiler to check all piping and run the engine under steam .
Rick
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13 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler test #1

For the first boiler test on the bench all went well,Filled the gas tank and set up the burner to the boiler.Using distilled water filled the boiler to half on the sight glass.Fired up the boiler to build pressure.The test showed a leak at the bottom sight glass bushing need to let cool down before I'm able to fix.
Rick
Liked by Martin555 and stevedownunder and
2 comments
  1. Ianh
    Commander
    Sight glass leaks are normally caused by a pinched O ring. These O rings should be silicone not nitrile
    Liked by Martin555 and Colin H

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler test #2 Engine test #1

Took the plug out of the top water gauge fitting loosened off the sight glass nuts then able to move the glass above the bottom fitting.Took the bottom fitting out using Teflon tape this time instead of product sent with the boiler.Put the fitting back in sight glass back in place nuts tightened up.Set up to re test boiler no leaks this time.
Filled the boiler to half the sight glass filled the gas tank.Hooked every thing up in the boat and fired the boil.With pressure built opened up the valve to the engine.Had a leak at the lubricator stopped the test fixed the leak and fired back up.Engine ran well.The big test will be water testing.
Rick
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3 comments

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Change

When I first set up the pipe work from boiler to engine I had a shutoff at the boiler and the oilier at the engine all worked fine.After the test runs of the boiler I found that I needed to use the valve to control the steam better.The servo for the foreword/reverse works well but will be better at full each way when running.I will use the shutoff to slow the engine down.
Now the change I had another oilier with shutoff attached so put this unit at the engine so the shutoff is now lower in the boat.Will need to put a servo in to work the shutoff while running.Have started to work on the spot for the servo.
Picture #1 shows the first shutoff #2 shows the oilier with shutoff in behind.
Rick
Liked by Martin555 and stevedownunder and
4 comments
  1. Martin555
    Fleet Admiral
    It looks a complicated setup.
    I know nothing about these steam boats but it looks good.
    Nice work Rick.

    Martin555.

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler

After changing the one oilier for the lever controlled oilier I knew that new piping would be needed.
Having heard from a friend that the boiler needed to be as low in the boat as possible.Removing almost 1/2"of the ribbing to lower the boiler making sure the boiler mounting plate sat into place again.
Satisfied that the base and boiler looked in the right spot fastened down the boiler plate.
The new piping was then done .
New testing will be done soon as I need to get more gas to test.
Rick
Liked by Joe727 and RNinMunich and
6 comments
  1. Ianh
    Commander
    Hi GaryLC
    Yes getting the servo right is essential as the valve gear is a Hackworth design it doesn't tak nicely to being off or it will stall.

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Boiler #3 with servos

With the new piping in set up to install the servos for the shutoff to steam.Had previously installed the rudder servo and engine servo and tested them out.The shutoff servo proved to be stubborn as I didn't realize it had shorted out needed to find another.Borrowed from another boat.Having a new gas canister filled the gas tank water into the boiler to run the engine.
Picture 1&2 show the new piping gas tank and condenser in spot.
The 3rd picture shows the servo setup.Right servo is engine full foreword or reverse.Left servo is steam shutoff .
The 4th picture shows the covers to hide the servos.
The last is the rudder servo and area the servo leads will be along with battery and switch shut off.
Rick
Liked by RNinMunich and Colin H and
6 comments
  1. GaryLCSilver
    Captain
    A more up to date photo although the quality of it leaves a bit to be desired, the gas blow torch nozzle burner, which works well and solved a long-standing problem of low steam pressure, the only problem being a bit on the noisy side. Plus a better gas cut-off valve from Cleveden Steam, the old one being homemade by myself. I built this in the 1970s so it has taken a while to get it running properly, also cleaned it up a bit, and updated the radio gear.
    Liked by Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Dressed up no where to go

Having finished the piping testing the boiler the three servos were set up for rudder engine and shutoff. Then worked on a switch for RC start and stop picture #1.Picture #2 shows battery and rudder set up.With the switch in place can turn on power without removing a cover.Finally the extras were added to finish the boat.Will look for more figures to add to passenger side.
The last will be getting the boat to water for first voyage likely will now be the spring.
Rick
Liked by RNinMunich and Ianh and
11 comments
  1. Ianh
    Commander
    String wound around the steam pipes and painted white will help to ensure you are running at optimum
    Liked by robbob and Martin555

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Newby7
Update · 6 years ago

Change

After viewing the pictures of the fender locations decided to change them to match the pictures of the Krick Borkum.
The fenders were hanging down and the kit picture showed sideways.
Using a needle took one of the lines and threaded it into the needle and centered threw the fender to have a line from both ends.
Pictures show the fenders hanging down and fenders sideways.
Rick
Liked by Colin H and jbkiwi and
4 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Quite correct, fenders should only be hung over the side when going alongside and mooring. Very infra dig to leave them hanging over the side when underway.

    Nerys
    Liked by Martin555 and RNinMunich
  2. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Thanks Doug and Nerys for the post. With seeing the fenders hanging they would drag in the water and I didn't want that.
    Hearing that the way I changed them is correct until they are need to be used.
    Rick
    Liked by Martin555 and stevedownunder and

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Newby7
Update · 5 years ago

Engine change

Awhile back I found and purchased a Chiltern steam engine. After building it was a little big for the new build . The Borkum then was measured to fit the new engine . With everything out worked to take the frames down to get the new engine in place. Lowering the frames worked out with the engine in and lined and lagged in place. New piping needed to be run for boiler and condenser and new set up for servo. Filled the boiler and ran the engine in. Out door and water tests to come when we open up.
Rick
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2 comments

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Newby7
Update · 5 years ago

Condenser Exhaust chimney

GLC suggested an outer exhaust for the condenser and
having that on my other two steam boats agreed.
Purchased a 12"x1" brass tube for the project. Using sizes of ballpein hammers opened up the the base of the exhaust chimney to fit over inner chimney. Cut the brass pipe to length again using ballpein hammers opened up the top of the exhaust. Inner and outer piping now fit together on top of the boiler. Boiler bushing and cleaning piping to come.
Rick
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4 comments

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Newby7
Update · 5 years ago

Exhaust chimney

Set up and drilled the chimney for the bushing cleaned the area and solder in the bushing. Measured cut and bent the piping from condenser to chimney. Soldered unions to piping. Next firing up the boiler to check piping and servos.
Rick
Liked by GaryLC and Martin555 and
6 comments
  1. ToraDog
    Commodore
    This looks so wicked! I have always loved live steam, but I never took the plunge. Too many others do such wonderful work, as is the case here.
  2. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Thanks ToraDog Steam for me is fun I realize it's not for every one.It is expensive and needs care in handling.
    Rick

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