Hercules Steam Crane Tubal Cain

I just had a look at my crane. There's a tube up into the steam-space inside the boiler, which comes out at the bottom of the boiler inside the burner chamber, takes a loop around the burner and then it exits at that level. Nothing going up the chimney. I burned meths, so you may well be right about the hotter flame giving more superheat. I also noticed that the outlet from my 'condensation jar' goes up into the top of the chimney, like the original design exhaust. I really must give this crane its first run in over a decade, just to see if it still works...

The other thing I'd forgotten about this crane was that the boiler is slightly mishaped, as a result of my mistakenly applying a 300psi test with cold water instead of 30psi, due to me misreading the pressure gauge.

Bob

[This posting has been removed]

I am slowly getting the crane finished but I am puzzled about the two 1/16th pins that fit on the valve, what are they there for?. I'm a bit thick and it must be obvious, any help please.

Bob

[This posting has been removed]

Very slowly getting it finished, as I dropped it on the floor and smashed up the pipe work, arthritis in the hands didn't help.

The two cylinder springs for oscillating, what springs are recommended as the springs I've got on will not allow the flywheel to slightly spin. Would a light spring allow a airtight seal, I don't want to keep stripping it down in case of me fumbling.

Bob

[This posting has been removed]

Thanks Bill, I have a lot of springs in the shed I will check for any 24g.

[This posting has been removed]

I have made the crane and was surprised how much it can lift on air pressure, I think 10lb has been suggested, I was concerned that that weight will put a strain on the gears so halved that and it lifted that with ease. I want to make the boiler now but only have 67mm dia copper tube it calls for 2 1/2 inch dia, if I make the boiler to the same volume as the 2 1/2dia which would make the boiler longer would it operate the same, as it will have a smaller dia at the heat source.

Bob

Bob, I wouldn't worry too much about the boiler, it has a pretty good safety-margin. I made mine, my first ever boiler. When I hydraulic tested it I misread my gauge, and took it up to 300psi instead of the 30 I was aiming for... Apart from a slightly distorted top it survived the experience, and has given good service ever since.

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 23/03/2020 14:20:23

[This posting has been removed]

[This posting has been removed]

Thanks Bill

I keep making silly mistakes, it's an age thing I had 2 1/2 inch as 75mm mentally fixed and not 63.5mm

Bob

Edited By BOB BLACKSHAW on 24/03/2020 10:43:59

[This posting has been removed]

I've made the boiler and has come out quite well no leaks after silver soldering so I'm pleased with that out of the way. The crane on air test worked ok and lifted around 10lb s decided to have a go with the boiler and that to worked but noticed that 30lb on the gauge was registered and emptied the boiler rather quickly. All the mechanism is smooth and the cylinders have a viton o ring with a good fit, I checked for any obvious leaks but only slight from the moving parts which is expected. My question is, in the book the author said that the crane works on 10lb pressure which I find that mine cant, but with mine no obvious reasons that mine cant achieve the same, I found also with air pressure no way would 10lb work.

Bob