tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
The heat output of the meths burner, to be more correct methylated spirits burner, has been quite low. Just 50W of heat into the boiler with the optimised firebox design. Adding a steam raising blower increased the heat output of the methylated spirit burner dramatically. You can see the rate of change in bulk temperature … Read more
I was looking for a high temperature paint for my small vertical boiler. It need to be suitable for the firebox and hence work at high temperatures. I wandered into my small local hardware store and saw matt black coal paint. It was just £3.99, worth a go if nothing else. It wasn’t until after I … Read more
After lots of building and testing I’m finalising the firebox design for the small vertical boiler. The optimised distance between the top of the wick and the base of the boiler was 60mm. This was all measured on a test firebox and instrumented boiler. My original thought was to machine the solid hexagonal bar and … Read more
I’m in the process of making two fireboxes for the vertical boiler. One for methylated spirit and the other for coal. I know, why? I nearly title this article “Two Fireboxes Nigel”, but not sure many will remember the “two Jags” nickname of a former British Minsiter! In all honesty I just wanted to have … Read more
Correcting the Firebox Door is a tale of me getting the design wrong, then amending it before admitting to it. Original Door Location I had originally designed the door to be higher up in the firebox. In my wisdom though as I was machining it I lowered the door. Oh how wrong I was. I’m … Read more