Thanks Nerys I've enjoyed building this steam launch
Rick

Lovely model Rick, there's something about steam engines.

Nerys

Thanks Martin and Colin I had been looking for an improvement to the cover.
Rick

Very neat sir, gives it that vintage touch.
Cheers Colin.

Nice touch Rick,
It's the little details that bring the boat to life.

Martin555.

Maybe Puff Puff Ron
Rick

How about calling it, “ Putt Putt” 🏌️‍♂️

Not bad Martin.
Rick

Looks good rick.
Getting closer to the wet stuff.

You could call her 'Perseverance' LOL!!

Martin555.

Hi GLC The boat you see in the picture is now just a hull. The photo was taken on my old camera a number of years ago. Pictures in this blog are now taken with my new camera. Somewhat better quality.
Rick

Yes, It does help a little and I recognize the boiler and condenser, and it looks like there is a cover over the engine, I would be very interested to see a little more internal detail as one can't get too much of a good thing. Please switch some lights on first and it's looking like a flash-gun for Xmas. Regards. 👍

Thanks Martin and Bill. I think about three years ago she was built.The hull may be used for something else the steam plant is in the new build.
Rick

Hi Rick.
Nice to see and please continue with the progress.
Regards Bill.

Hi Rick,
Nice work.
She looks old when did you make her.

Martin555.

Hi Rick, pleased to hear you are making some progress with your latest project, although I am not sure quite what it is? So with that fact in mind why not share it with a friend and post some photographs. Regards.

Thanks Gary will look at that.
Rick

The best way to insulate a servo from a heat source, is to use High-Temperature 1200*C Ceramic Matting 2mm or 3mm thickness, then wrap that with chrome tape to prevent damage. also ideal for insulating a boiler before fitting the wooden lagging strips. Available from: Polly Model Engineering, or Kennions Model Engineering. Better and more efficient than anything else I can think of and they will both cut it to the size you require, easily cut with scissors and similar to thick felt-like material. I would go for the 3mm thickness around about 1/8" Regards. Gary.

Hi Rick,

Again quite neatly done.

I hate to appear picky but unfortunately Aluminium is quite a good conductor of heat.
If there is an air gap between the Aluminium and servos this would be ok ( air doesn't conduct heat well ) or a piece of something that insulates ( wood is not bad at insulating and Balsa is a really good thermal insulator )with a piece of reflective tape applied to it to reflect an amount of the radiant heat back to it's source.
Over here down under heat reflective tape is available at hardware shops either in the plumbing or building section, online or auto shops a roll doesn't cost a lot and will last you a long time.
You could stick some of the tape onto a piece of Balsa with the tape facing the boiler and it might work fairly well.
I will try not to be critical next time.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hmm! I wonder if a metal 'shield' will help or actually make things worse?
I fear that the metal will heat up and conduct the heat directly to the servos 🤔
Might you not be better off with a a wooden shield (1/4" ply?) which won't absorb and conduct heat so well? Just a thunk Rick😉
Cheers, Doug 😎

Hi Stephen I have that concern myself .
Rick

Hi Rick,

Looking quit neat.

I very much hope you take this as constructive, but one thing that concerns me is the proximity of your servos and receiver to things that radiate quite a bit of heat.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Martin To good a question as I'm not sure.
Rick

Hi Rick,
Are you going to lag the pipework ?

Martin555.

Thanks Doug Just a little oil never hurt anyone.
Rick

Magnificent magic Rick 😮
Can't wait to see her in action with steam up, showing us the REAL meaning of Full Steam Ahead! 😀
As a dumb electronics eng. who only knows 'fuel' as electrons 😁 I take my hat off (if I still had one😂) to all you oil soaked steamers 👍
Cheers, Doug 😎

Thanks Martin. Steam test will be next make sure no leaks shut off works and have foreword reverse working.Water testing will be some time before I can get to the water area as we are still in complete lock down.
Rick

She is slowly getting there Rick.
Good luck with the testing.

Martin555.

Hi Gary I saw a valve on the Clevedon site are there other valves to look at on other sites.
Rick

Thanks Gary will look at shutoffs for my steam boats.
Rick

Hi Rick my very good friend, we don't want you standing at the side of the pool with your boat on the water, and you with radio in hand with shoes and socks removed, and trousers rolled to the knee in rescue mode. That boiler and engine have a history, and that is the second set of lagging as the first was burnt to a crisp in a mid-lake crisis. I remember the occasion only too well as lots of smoke and a smell that reminded me of kippers for some strange reason. From that day onwards I have fitted gas cut-off valves to all my steam-boats as a priority, and the fact it is definitely the most important valve in the steam plant installation. Regards, Gary.

Hi Stephen
With my set up the gas tank would run out before the full boiler did.
The places I run the boat are when the club sets up our pond for events and the wadding pool at our main meets. Knee deep so I can walk in to rescue the boat.
Rick

"The gas shutoff valve as mentioned by Gary is more on the must have list in my opinion."
A valve in time saves ...🔥😭" eh Steve 👍
😎

Hi Rick,

The gas shutoff valve as mentioned by Gary is more on the must have list in my opinion.

I have witnessed a profusely smoking steam powered tug because the boiler ran out of water and he wasn't able to turn off the gas by the time the Tug reached the bank the lagging on the boiler was more like char.

Running out of water can happen to the best operators.

Your boat is looking good and I guess getting near ready to test.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Thanks Gary no gas valve shutoff.The engine should look good it was your gift to me.Thanks.
Rick

Thanks Martin
Rick

Looking nice Rick, mind can't see the gas cut-off valve, a nice neat looking installation on the pipe-work front, and a very smart looking piston valve engine. Regards, Gary.

Sounds complicated Rick.
But it is looking good.

Martin555.