Thick walled copper tube

Hi, I,m currently helping a friend progress with building a Tich loco he started 40yrs ago. We are close to assembling his boiler parts but have got stuck trying to source some thick walled (5/32 OD x aprox 1/16 ID) copper tube for the hollow stay. I can find some 22g but as this has to be threaded 5/32x40 it only leaves 12thou at the root -- not good for a boiler stay

I know it was available 'cos I have it in my own Tich boiler (which was not built by me)

Any suggestions where I might get some would be much appreciated.

Keith.

As a different approach what about an external feed (between the frames??) to the blower and add an extra solid stay?

If using an external feed I'd put it right next to the boiler under the cladding to keep it hot. I've seen at least one loco at our track with water droplets coming out of the blower as the feed pipe was running in fresh air. Two of my locos are done as suggested successfully

Would suggest you try John Keatley Metals Ltd , Birmingham, 0121 236 4300

They are most helpful , and I am sure will be able to supply this .

Or consider using 3/16 x 16swg (= .064" or 1/16" wall thickness) which is commonly available? Adjust threads and fittings (bushes etc.) to suit 1/32 diameter increase.

Regards,

Phil

Hi Keith,

I finished off a couple of Tich boilers for someone some years back and had the same problem. I just used ordinary thin wall copper tube and silver soldered bronze ferrules on the ends. One was threaded to screw into the blower valve and the other threaded 1/4 x 40 to screw into the bush in the front tube plate. You could also just silver solder the tube into the blower valve. I did that on my Helen Long boiler.

Not a good photo but you can see the blower stay at the bottom. You don't need the double threaded fitting on the smokebox end. The end of the ferrule is countersunk and the blower pipe just fits straight onto that.

John

Edited By John Baguley on 11/02/2019 23:44:55

Keith

3/16 16swg copper tube is available from Blackgates in short lengths delivery normally by return.

Hope this helps

Paul

Hi guys.

Thanks for all the replies, most helpful.

At the moment it's a toss-up between JB's idea or increasing to 3/16.

Unfortunately Duncan there is no space between the boiler and the cladding on the Tich, I don't think LBSC believed in insulation .

Thanks again .

Regards

Keith