Having used both for a number of boilers, I wouldn't bother with propane for anything over (say) a Gauge 1 boiler. Too much foolin' around on a large job. With oxy/acet you can localise the heat much more effectively. Copper ain't as easy to burn out as a lot of people think - especially if your plates are thick enough to comply with AMBSC code, the main danger is the tube ends. > Whilst I concur with the majority of Phil's message, I will add a couple of > points. > > Propane is much easier to use than oxy acetylene, and the latter isnt easy > to obtain in the UK, without complying with many rules. > With propane,there is minimal risk of burning through plates etc, which one > can do with oxy. > > Easyflo, is the best general purpose silver solder and the most widely > available over here. > > Although steel is the best material for formers, one can use hardwood. > However, Blackgates and Reeves both offer kits with the end plates already > flanged. The saving in time makes them worthwhile. > > Alan > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Phill Smith" <steam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 5:10 AM > Subject: [modeleng] Re: Steam engine RPM? > > > Tony, > > I, personally, don't understand why you don't just make your own. They are > really easy to make. There is nothing hard about it at all. > > All you need is the following; > > - oxy-acetylene torch (use the cutting torch as the large quantity of small > flames is the best heat source) > - Copper tube (for both barrel and end plates, flues, and Galloway tubes if > required) > - Gun metal / Phosphor bronze for bushes > - steel for endplate former > - Silver solder (2 grades) -- 245 (45% silver) for bushes and > lues/tubes: -- 115 (15% silver) for attaching your end plates. > - Sulphuric acid (battery acid) for pickle bath. I add 1L of acid to 10L > water, and find this OK if I get it on my hands (no burns) > - 20L plastic bucket for pickle bath > - Flux (for the 245 silversolder) > - Hand tools > > That's about it........ Of the top of my head I can"t think of anything > else..... > > > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, > modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.