Assembling the Triple
by John
I got this far in assembling the model triple expansion steam engine, then lost courage and put it aside (again). You can see the high pressure steam chest labelled “top”, the steam valve and handle, the drag links and levers for the reversing mechanism for the high pressure cylinder, and the worm and gear and control wheel for the reversing mechanism. The reversing levers will need pinning with taper pins when the correct positions are finalised. The short rod in the middle of the pic is temporary. I need to make those properly. The drag links clash with the condenser cover. That was predicted in Bertinat’s notes. The cover will need some material removed. Slowly progressing, but taking frequent breathers.
The high pressure mechanisms are the most exposed, and easiest to access, and they were very tricky, and not yet compeletely installed. I dread to consider what the intermediate pressure ones will be like, buried in the middle of the engine. Then there is the valve timing. Help!
johnsmachines 
That is definitely looking the part. I look forward to seeing it run.
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My name is Angus McNevin and i live in Canada.Ive been working on Reeves triple for 14 yr. off and on and need to solder the condencer together before securing to bed.I was wondering how you went about it
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Hi Angus,
I am no expert, and it is over a year since I soldered the condensor. From memory, I used oxyacetylene as the heat source, because it was such a sizeable lump of gunmetal and really sucked up the heat. I used a low temperature, high silver content silver solder. I fully fluxed and assembled the tubes and end plates, then soldered each end in turn. I had some leaks in one end, due I think to being too timid with the heat, and had to redo some joins.
Since the condensor is a very low pressure vessel, any leaks could have been patched with ordinary lead solder, but I chose to use the same low temperature silver solder to do the repairs.
I did a dry run to test the positioning and handling of the parts. I used a temporary forge made of a stack of fire bricks to retain the heat.
I hope that this helps. Good luck, and send me some pics! jviggers@iinet.net.au
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thank you for your reply.I will be attempting the job in the spring and will post some pic at that time. Thanks again
Angus
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