Speedy Boiler

Hi Julian. I dont find it any more difficult to repair an old boiler than I do a new one, provided that the correct materials were used in the first place. I completely second your points on TIG repairs. Whilst the tubes will most likely be deoxy the tube plate almost certainly wont be. Much of the comments and advice on here seem to be from second hand sources, but I can say from first hand experience that TIG welding deoxy copper causes lots of tiny stress fractures - some are big enough to be clearly heard going snap as the weld cools.

Hi Julian. Saw speedy drawing yesterday when ordered new boiler. Interestingly the SH tubes are 3/4 inch, 5 off. If yours has 1 inch tubes it is not made to drawing. Further you would not get 5 SH 1 inch tubes in unless you have left out the top row of fire tubes. Even then it would be a squeeze. So with 20 gauge tubes a 3/4 X 3/8 superheater return block would just fit in hightwise with about .020 thou clearance and width wise about 1/8 clearance. Still think crazy design. My SH haven't worked for years totally blocked . I shall put in stainless dart ended tubes reaching right across the firebox. Should get new boiler in about 6 months time. Meanwhile doing rest up and repainting. Looking good.

regards. Roger gray

Sorry to hog the board but can I ask opinions on firebox fuse able plugs. Ie copper rivet soft soldered into bush in roof. If my boiler had had a plug it would still be going now. Seems to be difference of opinions in my club but I thought were standard safety practice.

I can thoroughly recommend the Australian Model Boiler Code as a design guide. It is very well written, and complies with BS5500 (Unfired fusion welded Pressure Vessels), which is as near as British Standards gets to what we make.

Ignore all the rubbish quoted by 'those who know' about loco fireboxes being banned. Unfortunately I can't remember the e-mail of the chap I got my copy from, and it's no doubt out of date by now.

my above post should read that non deoxy copper cracks! With regard to fused plugs, cant remember why but im sure there is some additional complication to getting a club cert if it has one. I wouldnt build a copper boiler without one as I am far too absent minded to trust myself with good water levels!