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Recent Posts
📝 Machine shop
5 months ago by GaryLC (
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I would be very interested, even bordering on extremely interested in buying your lathe, it is worth a lot more than £100, would it be possible to see a few photos in a private message? Regards, Gary.
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💬 Re: Jet powered ski boat
5 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I love the video and it does prove the earth isn't flat. Regards, Gary.
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📝 new year
5 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
A Happy New Year to you also, it was the photo of The Flying Finn that caught my eye as I was also a huge fan of this guy. He really was in a class of his own from day one when he rode and prepared his own bikes. A tragedy his life was cut short before he could enjoy the success he richly deserved. RIP Jarno Saarinen, a legend in his short lifetime. Regards, Gary.
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📝 My hobby car group’s Toy Drive
6 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)cars
Thunderbird
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📝 Age of steam
6 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Ron, and thanks for the reply, believe me when I say I was not criticising your actions as it is no business of mine. I am very pleased that you are into steam as the more the merrier, we are as rare as hen's teeth on this website, more is the pity. You certainly sound extremely capable in the fitting and turning department, which can save you an awful lot of money these days. Your boiler is pleasantly complex with its nine cross tubes and superheater. I have just taken a leaf out of your book and am now using an adapted gas torch head as a burner with very good results, I can now run the engine flat out and still maintain a boiler pressure of 40PSI. Kindly check out my collection of boats all of which use steam as a power source in my harbour. I rather like your motor cycle and have included a photo of mine a 61 year old Ariel Huntmaster 650 cc twin. Regards, Gary.
motor cycle
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📝 Re: Hints and Tips.
6 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Love your Cervia Tug, looking very realistic on the water, and if you ever get a cold day in Oz make sure you get out there and get some photos taken, so as I can see the steam which is not a problem here in the U/K as every other day is cold. Regards, Gary.
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📝 Age of steam
6 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I am also quite intrigued by your video, as the pressure gauge shows zero pressure and the boat is steaming along at a fair speed. I would hazard a guess there is at least 20 PSI steam pressure in your boiler considering the engine's speed. I suggest you get the pressure gauge sorted in order the calibrate the pressure release valve, more so for your own safety than anything else. Besides that minor problem, I loved your video and let's have more steam-powered boats on this website. Regards, Gary.
boat
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📝 Age of steam
6 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hello CaptLarry, and you are very welcome on this site as there is very little doing with regard to Steam. There are two valves you can use for throttle control one is a rotary valve which is complex, difficult to get hold of and expensive. then there is a lever-operated valve from Cleveden Steam U/K, not expensive and used in most of my steamboats very successfully. I would strongly recommend this one to you, and Cleveden Steam is a very good source for most steam fittings. Hoping this helps, regards Gary.
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📝 Model Boat Builders in the Redcar area.
9 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Michael, and good to hear from you, I don't rate my chances much of finding like-minded boat builders in this area. Which is a pity as several boats ready for the water, and no-one to give me a hand? Try googling GLR Kennions Ltd, as they sell copper tube of all sizes from 6" o/d down to 1/16" o/d. and copper sheet for the end caps from Metals 4U. I am giving this some serious thought myself as a 3 1/2" x 6" boiler will set you back between £300 & £400, and getting more expensive by the month. Have you thought about a flash steam boiler which has a degree of simplicity and is not a pressurised vessel as such? The Latin Equivalent being, wait for it Aqueous Vapourous. Regards, Gary
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📝 Model Boat Builders in the Redcar area.
9 months ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
As an ex-member of the Redcar Model Boat Club, which sort of died when the council reclaimed what used to be the RMBC club-house and turned it into a coffee bar. I would be very interested in meeting up with the people who still use the boating lake occasionally to sail their model boats. It is so much more interesting when a group of like-minded individuals who can give each other a helping hand and a bit of company. If anyone out there is interested in this proposition could you kindly make contact via this website?
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💬 Re: Removal
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I very much understand and appreciate exactly where you are coming from, as I don't and have never considered doing a building blog. Simply, I don't want to write it down stage by stage and take photographs, I like to build at my own pace and with no pressure. I think your story on the building of Formidable will be welcomed with open arms by the Model Boats magazine and all the luck in the world young man.
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💬 Re: HMS Cottesmore
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
You are without a doubt making a fantastic job of putting that together, absolutely love the fine details right down to the last rivet. Incredible achievement, you should be really proud of your efforts.
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📝 Marian Belle' Empire Class Tug.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Finally completed after near enough four years work off and on. Mind I am very happy with the result, the superstructure was slightly modified so as the steam plant can be removed easily in one piece.
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💬 Re: LT100 Fishing Boat
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Where are the molygoggers? There should be two of them. Regards,Gary.
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📝 My Harbour
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I had very much the same problem and ended up with a set of photos of the building of a plank on frame hull, plus the two photos I had added. Get the post back up and try "edit" the photos in the window all have a little cross top right-hand corner, click it and they will delete. It is a bit hit and miss so best of luck. The problem is it does mess up your harbour. Regards, Gary.
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📝 Marian Belle' Empire Class Tug
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Finally completed on 5th April, I must be slowing down with age. Despite the weight of the installed steam plant, it requires more weight to sit more realistically on the water.
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💬 Re: Steam engine.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stephen, and P on F verses Fibre-glass is a bit of a quandary, it is the sense of achievement factor completing a plank on frame hull, versus the time factor of installing a steam engine straight into a completed ready painted hull. As my present build has taken more than three years, because I opted to also rebuild a 1960s motorbike at the same time. I think the Fibre-glass hull is the right way to go as I do enjoy the steam engine installation, and that will be my starting point. I have a 9/16" bore twin slide valve in mind as a very efficient engine, as this is a 48" hull I hope I can manage the weight of the completed boat. Regards.
Fibre-glass
verses
motorbike
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💬 Re: Steam engine.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I am pleased to hear you are doing a building blog, and even more so in the fact it will be steam powered. Both myself and plenty of others will be monitoring your progress with interest, and I wouldn't worry about the time factor as it takes as long as it takes, and it's as simple as that. I think your Formidable LT100 has inspired me enough to buy the John Hemmings version of the same, despite the fact it is rather expensive. you are an inspiration young man enjoy your build, I think I can safely say that as everyone is younger than me. Regards, Gary.
version
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💬 Re: Steam Drifter. Formidable LT100.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Steve, I can't get over that hull with its ultra-thin strakes, it has to be the best plank on frame build ever, incredible workmanship and patience. I love its canoe like quality. Regards, Gary.
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💬 Re: Work boat
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Incredible workmanship Steve, and a beautiful end result, when you attach this to the back end of Formidable LT100 make sure it is the right way up and don't fit a cover. How goes the steam plant installation into the hull? Be on the safe side and fit a gas cut off from Clevedon Steam, and an attenuator valve to save you both gas and water, check out Microcosm China. (A gas control valve working off boiler pressure.) Regards, Gary.
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Stephen, and thank you for answering my query, I now understand exactly what you did and why you did it, and of course it gives you an amazing amount of room inside the hull with no obstructions. You must have the patience of Jobe or even St. Stephen, and I really admire you for that as a normal plank of frame build takes long enough, but your method must have taken forever, literally. LT 53 has a TVR 1/2" bore twin side valve, 3 1/2" x 6" boiler, that is a fibre glass hull a kit from Mountfleet. The other drifter is a plank on frame Marvon Models kit, and I installed a 6.5cc Four Stroke an OS engine, it ran on tick over with a very good silencer on it, plus it was in the seventies which means I am knocking on a bit. When you have time read being sociable from the beginning, it will make you smile I promise. Regards, Gary.
kit
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Hi Steve, thanks for the photos and info, as this just happens to be a boat I really love as in North Sea Drifters. I am really interested in how you managed to cut the ribs down to such a small profile, making the hull look canoe-like. If you are interested in the history of Formidable LT100 there is a book called From Tree to Sea, written by the master carpenter who worked on this boat with lots of diagrams photos and information. Plus check out John Hemmings Steam engineer he has a Formidable kit at around the £2000 mark, plus a couple of photos of my two Drifters, it could be his brother LT53. Regards, Gary.
boat
kit
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📝 Marian Belle' Empire class tug (Mobile Marine.)
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
This model has been on the go for the last three years and is now finally almost complete, this one as per the others is powered by a TVR1ABB steam engine and a 3 1/2" diameter x 6" gas fired boiler.
Vehicle
Boat
Watercraft
Water transportation
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💬 Anteno 2 tug
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I feel I have to comment on your Anteo Tug, that has to be one of the neatest planked hulls I have seen in a while, and the paint job on the hull is quite incredible, wow. I built this kit back in the 1970s and it definitely is and was really good value for money, none of your white metal rubbish, near enough everything was brass and good quality. I opted for the authentic look and fitted a steam plant into the hull, not an easy job to cut down and strengthen all those ribs, but worth it in the end. Enjoy your hobby.Regards.Gary.
white metal
paint
hull
steam
kit
hobby
tug
planked
ribs
built
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
As the Thread title is Being Sociable and believe me I am on a good day, I have a suggestion to make if you are interested. As you are in the Leeds area and I am only say ninety minutes drive away, would you care to pay me a social call? I would like to help you get started in your S***m quest, I have a few engines here which are new or home-made and not used, and I am willing to part with one of them for free. This could be the Answer to Question 1 Cost. Let me know if you are interested. Regards, GARY.
engine
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Just thought I would add this as an after-thought. Concentrate your search on China as that is definitely where the bargains are. The biggest problem with this is they expect you to buy in bulk as a dealer, and the minimum purchase seems to be TEN pieces, do you have nine like-minded friends who need engines. the thought has crossed my mind about buying ten and putting say eight of them on eBay. Regards, Gary.
engine
ebay
bargain
e bay
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
To Michael, as I can't really ignore your question although that does not apply to all comments, I am hoping this information helps you to find what you are looking for, and gets you involved with boiled water vapour. Just a little apprehensive about using that word now, (S***m.) Google: Paddleducks, then click on Links, then click on S***m Engines. you will hopefully be pleasantly surprised and that is only half of it. Check out USE an oscillating single acting engine assembled and machined at £38.00, you would need to couple two together to make it self starting. Boilers, more expensive than engines, your best bet would be, buy it in kit form and find a good gas welder to put it together for you, a DIY type gas torch won't do it, and it requires silver soldering and an awful lot of heat. Hoping this helps. Regards, Gary.
engine
kit
soldering
boiler
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Doug, the Thread Title on my post is Being Sociable, and not how to be AntiSocial. Thank you for retyping my words of wisdom, did that catch a nerve or rub you the wrong way or something. if you feel you must comment then kindly do a little research and get your facts right. I could correct all six points that you felt you had to share, but there would be no point as per water off a duck's back. I am a fan of steam but not a fanatic, and I won't get steamed up and unlike you, I didn't get my wires crossed.
steam
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📝 Being Sociable.
1 year ago by GaryLC ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
I really can't believe that considering all the members that use this website, that no one is interested in steam engines and what steam has to offer. Why go to all that trouble of adding artificial engine sounds and smokers, when you can have it all and more, by installing a gas boiler and steam engine. When I think of the problems involved to find plans and scratch build a boat, why not go for the authentic look and fit a steam engine. in the fifty years or so I have been involved in this hobby I have NEVER ever installed an electric motor in a boat. if anyone out there in the ether shares my passion for steam, kindly get in touch, I would appreciate not being completely on my OWN.
plans
motor
website
steam
members
electric
engine
build
scratch
web site
hobby
smoke
scratch build
steam boat
boiler
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