thinking of steam
 

:D ive been thinking of building a live steam boat. dose anyone know any good links? what are some enjoins? i know of saito, wilesco an struart turner[sm=idea.gif]

RE: thinking of steam
 

ok, may be one of the few steam nuts here, I have a wooden non-scale tug that has a midwest engine in it, its a single cylinder osolator, so its single action, it runs ok, but I belive I will take the midwest engine out and hook up a single cylinder wilesco daul action engine too it, because I can throttle it much more reliably and it will run more reliably with more power. I have a stationary wilesco dual action that absoluty purrs for how cheap they are used, it was like new and I paid around 75 shipped on ebay for it, I also have a smaller wilesco single action that runs well, but again lacks the power to really run things...the saitos are nice as are most of the higher end engines but they dont fit my budget and the wilescos run so nice for the money, just keep them oiled and they are happy, and on a boiler that willed almost to the top I can run about 2-3 sets of esbit, or 3-4 loads of sterno through it before it needs filled, some of the larger wilescos have throttle valves on them that could be hooked to r/c for some throttling of it, a steam boat of this type wont normally be fast though, but throttle is always nice, Id like to build a flash steam powered speedboat and r/c it but no one has given me info on flash steam, flash steam tetherboats I have read were breaking I believe 100mph which is hauling, Id be happy for 30-40mph out of a steamer, thatd be nutz, showing up nitro with steam... but for a tug they are just such cool engines, the sound and smoke stack blowing spent steam

RE: thinking of steam
 

thanks, are we the only ons that are thinking of steam?

RE: thinking of steam
 

The only ones? No, just don't have the $$$ for the engine(s) I'd love to have. I do have one of the single-cylinder oscilators. Once I found a reliable fuel (reliable?) it does exactly what it's supposed to do. Just not exactly happy with the weather it's 'happy' with, very few no wind days around here (blows out the fire). So, until I win the lottery, I'll have to wait a while for one of the 'nice' engines.
- 'Doc

RE: thinking of steam
 

I've had my eye on this one for a while: http://www.grahamind.com/tvr1a.html but other things come up, like gas, electric, water bills, you know things like that.

I have other links but they just came from a google search, so no big deal. Boilers seem to be the harder thing to find and almost just as expensive as the engines. Let us know how your search goes.

RE: thinking of steam
 

I have always had an interest & plan to build a paddlewheel steamer in the coming years once I get past this current warship interest. My BIG plan is to build Saito's Delta Queen, but that will be after I get more experience in building with wood.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend roaming several of the British forums since they have a lively steam enthusiast following on the other side of the pond.

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk

Other related sites that may assist in locating information & steam modelers:

http://www.pioneertelephonecoop.com/.../ISSlinks.html

http://www.steamboats.com

RE: thinking of steam
 

I am also very interested in steam. But I absolutely don't have the budget for it anymore. I have the Midwest tiny single oscilator I built as a kit many years ago. I currently have the Midwest Heritage engine. That is the limit of my budget for steam anymore.

That said, I bought a book last year titled Making Simple Model Steam Engines by Stan Bray. It is a DIY manual on making steam engines with hand tools and more complex steam engines using simple hobby lathes. I am just now reading it and it looks like I will be able to make my own steam engines in the future and that is pretty exciting to me! :)

BOOK

RE: thinking of steam
 

I hear you, Kmot! I can buy a rather nice motorcycle here with what it would cost me to get a decent steam plant at the prices I see from Cheddar, Mamod, Saito & other makers.

RE: thinking of steam
 

ol'Far.... I mean ol'guy. You just had to show me that, didn't you! The really bad part is that the kit isn't ~that~ big a reach, sort of. Just don't know what putting it together would mean. Very little remains of my mechanical abilities (yeah, like I ever had any, right?). Then again, that doesn't include a boiler, does it? Oh well, knew I could talk myself out of it if I really tried... rats.
- 'Doc

RE: thinking of steam
 

Oh my........ I just looked at that Graham webpage too. Those are beautiful steam engine kits!

RE: thinking of steam
 

I do have one steam powered model. It isn't the midwest version but a Thames steam launch about 48" long. I bought it years ago from Modeen Marine Steam Models in Oldham Lancs U.K. It is a twin engine that runs on alcohol. It has forward and reverse. The kit was sold as the Lady Ann. I don't remember what I paid for it but do remember as kits go I was/am very happy with it. This is one kit that did come complete. The only extra item I added was a life ring. If I have a chance later today I could post a few pictures if anyone wants to see them?

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

Would love to see picture of your boat, I have a Krick Victoria steam launch with Krick marine 2 engine German instructions say not to run when temp. drops to 32 degrees. practican advice as lake starts to freeze and boats slide on top not threw the water.
Regards Alex

RE: thinking of steam
 

now this is what im talking about. "steam power"im going to bild a tow barg powerd by steam. useing two z drives

RE: thinking of steam
 

Good Luck on that project and keep us posted with pics as you build.

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

Ok I took some pics of my Steam Launch. The name Miss Bea Haven is a play on words meant to be Misbeahaving.

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

WOW!!!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

She is GORGEOUS!!!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: thinking of steam
 

Thanks You! It was a fun kit to build and she runs well on the water. I get about 30 minutes or so running on 99% Alcohol.

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

Looks great Tug Guy.

Fats Waller - Ain't Misbeahaving. I have the record.

Don M.

RE: thinking of steam
 

You got it Bub!

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

Tug Guy,

What kit is that? It's beautiful! I think I gotta have one.

Rob

RE: thinking of steam
 

Modeen Marine's Lady Ann kit.

Tug

RE: thinking of steam
 

What size, and type of boat would the small blue D-52 Wilesco be suited for ?

Or the 2 cylinder D-48 ?



They dont seem very expensive.....or do you get what you pay for ? ;)

D 52 Marine Steam Engine
Mirror polished and nickelplated boiler, diameter 45 mm, length 105 mm, boiler capacity 155 cm³, with water gauge glass, spring loaded safety valve, steam jet oiler. Vertically mounted reversible double action brass cylinder, with flywheel, flexible plastic pipe to connect boiler and engine assembly. Flywheel with a diameter of 70 mm with grooved pulley, stern tube with a diameter of 6 mm and shaft (length 260 mm), plastic propeller, diameter 50 mm. Brass universal coupling. Operating time about 15 minutes per fuel charge.

Weight
Special gift box
: 0,9 kg
: 260 x 160 x 100 mm

RE: thinking of steam
 

The african queen from Wilesco is allso pretty neat ;)

RE: thinking of steam
 

Damn...I just found a great deal on the Wilesco African queen in germany.......and now its on its way to me :D

Deffinatly needs to be painted, and modded a bit to get it looking nice.



woohoo...my first steam boat [8D]

RE: thinking of steam
 

Found some more pics of the boat....it looks a little better than the prototype on their own site........but still needs to be painted !

Also a pic of the Billing boats African queen....but it needs a red hull ;)