Triple Expansion Steam Engine Pipework.
by John
I am close to disassembling the Bolton 9, before gradually reassembling it in preparation for running it on air then steam. Most of the components have now been made. Most recently I completed the pipework associated with the Edwards air pump and the twin water pumps.
This is the combined air and water pumps, and new pipework. Most joins are silver soldered, but a couple are Loctited. Loctite should be adequate. These components will not get super hot.
This valve is one of the few components on this engine which I have not personally made. This one came from the effects of the late Harry Close, who was a valued member of our Model Engineering Club.
The pipework adds to the overall interest , yes? It will look good when polished.
And the “tails” for the valve rods, which are attached to their respective steam chests. The BA7 bolts are a bit oversized for the job. The intermediate cylinder tail screws into place. I am not sure why it is different from the other two.
So now I am making a list of tasks which need to be completed when the engine is taken apart, hopefully for the last time before it is run. The list is not complete, and so far it runs to 3 pages. Mostly like fixing parts which interfere with each other, and freeing up tight bearings.
I will take some pics of the components.
johnsmachines 
Beautiful work, John! I am jealous of your skills and time to play.
The IP valve stem was exposed on the full size (Kuttabul) engine as an indicator to avoid stopping the engine with the HP at a dead centre. The floor of the engineers control station being level with the cylinder tops.
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Aha!! Thank you!!
Time to play = retired = love it!!
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Hi John
I am impressed with your work on the triple expansion engine. I am currently building the same engine. I would be very interested in how you ensured the correct alignment of the cylinder block when spotting through the stud positions onto the baseplate. I have completed the cylinder block and standards plus the condenser and the baseplate.
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Hi Roy, I have had problems, so cannot claim expertise. I made the cylinder block and base from the measurements on the plans, and am now regretting my trust in them. I should have made my own 3D drawings before machining anything. The Bertinat Model Engineer articles have been helpful, but are incomplete.
I am currently in my final (hopefully) teardown, then reassembly. I will post progress soon.
Where are you located? Stay in touch. John
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Hi John
I am in Altona. I have been following the Bertinat articles. I drilled the condenser tubeplates in accordance with the drawing and found that one tube in the top row would not pass through due to a recess cast into the engine side of the condenser body. I had to plug the holes for that tube. I look forward to your future posts. Roy
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Your triple expansion engine is super impressive. Looking forward to future posts.
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Thank you! It is totally in bits at present. I will post a photo of the bits in a day or two. I really want to see it running on steam, before the end of the year. But in the meantime I have started another steam engine.
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