Soldering the Trevithick Dedger Engine
by John
That is soldering. Not soddering.
These are the engine cylinder, valve chest, steam pipe (on the side of the cylinder), and flanges, pushed together. I took this photo, because never again will these bronze parts look so pristine.
Firstly, a thorough soak in degreaser, then rinsed in water.
Then the steam transfer tube was wired into position. All joins were fluxed, then silver soldered. Then a soak in sulphuric acid and a water rinse.
The 20mm bore still accepted a 20mm diameter silver steel rod (i.e. no significant distortion from the heat), so the rod was super glued in place, and used to turn the flanges flat and perpendicular to the bore.
The assembly was heated to release the super glue.
johnsmachines 
Looking good!
As soon as I finish the base, today sometime, I am going to begin on the cylinder and steam chest assemblies.
I hope mine look as good a yours when done. I have been wondering how to turn the flanges on my cylinder after boring. I never thought of using glue to hold the mandrel in place. I was going to make a split mandrel with some kind of screw or wedge to hold it in place, which would not be as accurate.
I think I’ll try your idea.
Thanks for the tip.
LikeLike
super glue is very easy, but you do have to use very light cuts. It is not super strong!
LikeLike
Soddering…(with two g’s.)
Where do these terms come from John? Such presumption.
Anyway, it’s good to see the engine well on the way now.
It’ll clean up beautifully I’m sure.
It all takes so much time but the prospect of a half decent Red at the end of the day (after 4 pm) keeps us going.
Cheers,
Tim
LikeLike
My blood boils every time that I listen to our US friends talking about soldering. I feel like telling them to “sod off”.
And I agree. In retirement, a decent Red is a beautiful end to the day.
Ah, don’t aspirations change with age.
LikeLike
Soddering, soldering, who cares? When i lived in the states i had a similar conversation with my US boss who told me that the US way supported by their population of 300 million meant they were right. My response that Indias 1.1 billion trumped (now theres a joke) the US population argument was not taken well.
LikeLike
So are we to speak English or American? Sodder sounds like an ignorant pronounciation of solder. I will continue with English.
LikeLike