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Question on bolts

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Tim Ostley16/10/2009 10:27:05
17 forum posts
2 photos
Hi,
 
I am an experienced Model Engineer, now making a 31/2" Gauge  steam loco. I am in the process of machining the cylinders and have got to the stage of drilling the covers.
 
The cylinders are gunmetal castings and the question is what material bolts should be used to hold on the covers (and indeed the steam chests) - steel, brass or gunmetal?.
 
I have looked at the 'words and music' for about 10 locos including Titch, Rob Roy, Speedy, Simplex and Rail Motor and the material is not specified in any of them. I am concerned about differential expansion and stripping of threads if using steel bolts in gunmetal cylinders but am I worrying unnecessarily? 
 
Tim
Circlip16/10/2009 12:33:51
1723 forum posts
Don't forget there's a gasket between the faces Tim. Stainless RESISTS rusting (Covering all bases) but if an LBSC design, the original would have been Steel, the stainless's were in less supply to the "Toy" fraternity.
 
  Regards  Ian.
Tim Ostley16/10/2009 12:53:43
17 forum posts
2 photos
Dear Ian,
 
Thanks for the reply.
 
I must admit I should have thought of adding stainless to the list of options but my main concern is not rusting or corrosion but differential expansion either straining the bolt / threads or loosening the attachment. In LBSC's time it could have been brass or bronze (which is what I should have put in the previous post rather than gunmetal!) as well as steel.
 
Regards
 
Tim
Circlip16/10/2009 16:53:40
1723 forum posts
D I wasn't thought to be a problem then Tim, so why worry now?? Mainly a case of get what you can. If you have a look at some of the adverts in the ME at the time  the original articals were published, the suppliers don't make a big thing about it.
 
  And don't forget, Brown paper makes excellent gaskets and a darn site cheaper than PTFE foils.
 
  Regards  Ian

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