[Steam-engine] Fw: Rivited boilers

[Dan Donaldson]

    Someone on the list emailed me privately with a couple of questions.  I figured I would forward those questions and my response to the list.  Any input regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Donaldson

Questions:

One can basically build an new boiler around an old rivet and falls under Repair.  You may be able to save quite a bit by using your old dome (of course having the proper tests done to insure that its ok; I myself have never heard of a bad dome), and having a new boiler built underneath.
BTW , not wanting to be nosey, but what engine are you redoing, and what is it costing you?

Answer:

    I am working on a 1910, 26 hp Advance tandem compound with their patented straw burner boiler.  I have not estimated the cost yet but I am trying to keep cost down by doing a lot of the work myself like detail drawings, steel fit up and drilling of the stay bolt and rivet holes.  The company I work for is ASME certified for pressure vessel fabrication and repair ("U" and "R" stamps) so I will be able to get the steel at cost and cutting and forming the material at a low cost.  The only welded parts I plan to have are the longitudinal seam on the barrel and the firebox.  Those welds will be done by ASME certified welders and X-rayed.  I plan to have a certified "S" shop do the riveting and stay bolt installation.  No work will be done until drawings are done and the boiler shop I plan to use has a chance to look at them and total cost estimate made.
    I have also considered re-using the steam dome to allow for a repair shop to the work.  And I may go that route but I would like to keep the engine running until the boiler is completed and ready for mounting all of the castings.

Dan Donaldson