[Steam-engine] Wachs boiler update

[Richard Strobel]

You didn't rain on my parade..Mother Nature took care of that last 
night...BIG TIME :-)  Kathy made the remark..why did you cover up that rusty 
thing:-))

  My friend and I are retired aircraft mechanics and well versed in the 
Non-Destructive Testing Methods, i.e. dye penetrant, Zy-Glo, etc...only seen 
the radiography done by a private company on various stress area's on the 
aircraft..so there is one available.  Not a big fan of dye-penetrant as I 
can usually see a crack before what penetrant will reveal..and they teach 
not to sand blast an area that is to be inspected for cracks...once again I 
question that but see where they're coming from.

Hmm..I do have an old portable Magnaflux machine..that might be fun.

I'm located in the eastern foothills of the Helena valley, 5 miles from 
Canyon Ferry Dam  (the Missouri) just off the eastern slope of the 
continental divide.

and I'll look at #12 next time I'm down at Nevada City...very interesting 
place!

"preciate it!
Rick



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <HISTMACHRY at aol.com>
To: <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 7:01 AM
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Wachs boiler update


> Rick,
> I really do not want to rain on your parade, and truly wish you success 
> and
> safety with this boiler, so here are some more thoughts.
>
> Yes, what I have outlined can be overwhelming to a newbie, but take it a 
> step
> at a time. A hydro will not indicate thin areas, it is amazing how thin
> pitting can be before leaks show up, and under steam that could have 
> devastating
> results. I have needlescaled right through a firebox sheet on a boiler 
> that was
> in service and there were no signs of leakage in that area, we are talking
> paper thin!
>
> For the lap seam, visual inspection most likely will not reveal the cracks
> that these seams are known for. The cracks, if they are going to occur, 
> are
> caused by the cycling of the boiler ( fire up and shut down) and can start 
> at the
> rivet holes, or along the edges of the plates at the seam. Radiography is 
> not
> that expensive, and as an alternative the lap seam can be inspected with
> ultrasonic test method known as shear wave. I just realized your in 
> Montana, so
> that may change the availability of the examination??
>
> The installation of tubes is not that difficult, and yes there is the 
> expense
> of the tubes, at the end of the day you should have a boiler that you have
> made an effort to evaluate and know its condition for the safety of 
> operation.
>
> Where are you in Montana? Take a look at the Alder Gulch #12 in Nevada 
> City,
> that is my rebuild.
>
> Good luck Rick!
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