Trevithick Dredger Engine- the stays
by John
The stays appear simple but they took several hours to make and adjust.
When I arrived at my workshop today I discovered that someone had attempted to steal the Toyota Landcruiser tray which I leave parked there. A window had been smashed, the doors were unlocked, and the cowling over the steering column had been removed and broken. (presumably in an attempt to access wires to start it.) The driver’s door lock showed signs of being jemmied. The ignition lock also showed signs of being forced. The thief must have been an amateur, unable to get the vehicle started.
The police arrived soon after being telephoned.
Fortunately the vehicle is drivable, but repairs are required. I am relieved that it was not actually stolen. The police told me that these vehicles are in demand by thieves. They are built like tanks, and useful in ram raid thefts.
So the dredger engine will be put aside while I install video cameras at my workshop.
(I have deleted a paragraph here. It was written with exaggeration caused by anger.)
After the police left, I made and installed the stays which are visible in the photos.
The lower end of the stays attach to the boiler flat plate end.
johnsmachines 
My sympathy that you’ve had a thief in the place John. Such ugliness leaves a bad taste. It wasn’t personal but it feels that way.
I once found a strange trail of tools leading to my back fence ( 30+ years ago now) which the thief had dropped in panic when confronted by my Doberman. Makes me chuckle now but not at the time.
In contrast, your dredger is a thing of beauty and happily is safe and sound.
Tim
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Hi
More a couple of general comments.
1) Im planning to build the triple expansion engine, and have found your blog a good source of information and ideas on this model.
2) I believe you are using oxyacetylene for silver soldering. Presume you are aware this is potentially dangerous. There are plenty of web articles confirming this. If your silver solder has cadmium content, the extra temperature can put cadmium oxide into the immediate atmosphere, which has bad short (its very toxic) and long term (kidney damage + suspected carcinogen) issues. In Europe we are banned from using cadmium containing silver solder from a few years ago, so sensibly I bought a lifetime supply whilst it was still available.
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Hi Michael, and thanks for the feedback.
I no longer use oxy-acetylene, but that has been driven by cost factors. Oxy-propane works just as well for silver soldering and is much less expensive. I use cadmium silver solder when possible, and am aware of the risks. Supply in Oz has become a problem, but have found a supplier in China and our club is currently negotiating a bulk order.
Good luck with the triple.
John
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