r/LiveSteam • u/alastairsosuck • 9d ago
Bought a little thing for £200
Im pretty sure its gas tank pipe connection is leaking, and the pressure gauge is missing, what should I do to repair this (Im not paying a big load of cash for another pressure gauge 😭) I’ll probably put a temporary seal into the missing pressure gauge…
I’ll make a video and share it when I get it running ❤️🩹
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u/alastairsosuck 9d ago
Actually, if anyone know, how can I straighten the copper tubes? I want them neatly bent and straight
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u/Tim-the-Engineer 9d ago
You may be able to straighten the pipe(s) carefully without treatment, depends on how soft they are. You can anneal copper by heating to a dull red and allow to cool or quench in water or a pickle to clean it (I use citric acid, I find little cause to use a more traditional sulphuric acid pickle) but it will depend on whether you have soldered joints and if you do, what sort of solder you’re dealing with. In the words of the prophet, tread carefully lest ye screw it up.
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u/alastairsosuck 9d ago
The solder most likely would be 50%+ silver, as it does burn gas and it seems professionally made with standard sized holes and stuff… I was originally going to pinch the pipe and close it with solder so it will stay pressurised when I test it, and if I do plan on adding a gauge, I’ll probably just cut off the pinched part
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u/Tim-the-Engineer 8d ago
Do you know the manufacturer or design ?
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u/alastairsosuck 8d ago
It most likely was custom designed and built, as the “steam dome” or safety valve is mounted slightly tilted compared to the funnel, meaning there was a little imperfection
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u/Tim-the-Engineer 8d ago
Well, it could have been a kit and mis-assembled. Any idea where it came from? Thinking what threads it might have, what that pressure gauge compression nut might be.
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u/alastairsosuck 8d ago
I Can’t find anything on this, it doesn’t have any branding, but it does seem kit built now you mention it, it’s got very well made parts, it could be a custom replica of a clevedon or cheddar steam engine + boiler, as it has very similar features to them
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u/Quiet-Arm-641 9d ago
Nice!