Nerys, Hereford has all the necessary for steam sailing as most of the members have some kind of steam engine.
I am joining this club after speaking to them, they can arrange for the test and certificate.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Nerys
Most local council owned or controlled waters have regulations that often prohibit all steam powered models regardless of whether they require/have a valid test certificate. Model Clubs sailing on private waters will normally have their own rules but for insurance purposes they will require a valid boiler and steam test certificate. Many smaller boilers below a certain Bar Litre (Water volume of boiler x working pressure) level are exempt but this is not easily tested at a sailing site so all boilers are treated the same. If a Club has a boiler tester your boiler could be inspected and advice given regarding its provenance and requirements for testing or otherwise. There was a good article in Model Boats August 2021 Boiler Room section by Richard Simpson. A picture of your boiler would be helpful.
Dave

Nerys, thats so cool!! I’m glad for you, hope you find a suitable boat for the engine and a place to run it!!
Cash

Nerys that is wonderful gift to receive. As you I was given a
steam engine along with a boiler by a member GLC. It was the start for me to get into steam . If you have an air compressor may I suggest you run the engine for a while. Enjoy the viewing of the engine so cool to see them running.
Rick

Talking steam, I have recently, been, extremely kindly been given a steam engine by one of our shipmates, but I am wondering where I will be able to sail the resulting build, once built. I know that both clubs I am a member of do not allow steam power on their lakes, so can anyone tell me if they know of a lake within, say 100 miles of South Wales, where I would be welcome with a steam boat?

Cheers, Nerys

Hello Colin,
Getting away from the wonderful world of steam for a moment, I have memories of you acquiring a sailing boat of some sort a while ago. Did you ever sort out how to rig her, or, can I help?

All the best, Nerys

Hi Colin,
I liked your idea for using iron de-scaler, I am going to try it on my steam generator.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Colin.
I am following this great project.
Good luck and keep posting.
Regards Bill

Thanks Dave, already in hand with the help of local model engineering club.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin
If you are intending to operate this boiler in a public environment I suggest you contact
https://www.sfmes.co.uk/public/
or
https://www.name-1.org/
They can put you in touch with a local boiler tester who can test and issue certificates for your boiler. This will ensure your third party insurance is valid in the event of an incident. I would make contact before you attempt any re-threading repairs.
I have the same boiler and use at home to drive the ST beam engine I acquired at the same time. If I exhibit I run on compressed air.
Looks like it is cleaning up well.
Dave

Hi Colin,
Most happy to be of service, I would consider myself as more of a novice with steam.

Yes steam is the real test that's when you find the problems.

High temp paint should work.
I am guessing that the burner is a metho type with a wick?

I would suggest considering lagging your boiler, this may be a bit tricky, maybe a photo of the burner in position.

Cheers,
Stephen.

You have been busy Colin.
The boiler has cleaned up well.

Martin555.

Stephen I'm most grateful for your input, as I'm new to steam and boilers I am glad to accept all advice, I've noted your words of wisdom in my logbook.
If you see me making mistakes then please correct me, I don't want to cause me or anyone else injury.
I did a steam test today before starting the cleanup. And this showed me that leaks show up a lot better with water, as when I did my initial air test it had no leaks.
But now I seem to be on track to start rebuilding at the weekend.
Is exhaust paint suitable for the boiler casing as I have a few cans.
So keep putting me on the right track.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Rick,

Nice little valve, though I think this is more for oscillating engines.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Colin,
Bit of a safety note, it is very dangerous to test a boiler with compressed air.
Testing of boilers should be done with water, the reason for this is because air is compressible and stores energy when compressed fluid is not compressible at the pressures we use.

A hand feed pump is one way of generating pressure in your boiler, pumping water in to pressurize the boiler.

Nice progress by the way.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Started cleaning up the boiler today, although it tested okay with air, I found that boiling water started to leak so I've decided to re-do all the threaded joints as some of the screws were steel and had corroded to such an extent that 15 psi of steam blew them out and the sight glass shattered.
There was a lot of scale inside, so used kettle descaling fluid, and now clean inside as well.
Good points are all the silver soldered joints are good.
Safety valve works fine at 60psi, pressure gauge works well and the steam flow valve/tap works well.
Bad points are 2 threads are damaged, so I need to buy some suitable taps to re-cut the threads.
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to paint the end castings and side covers with heatproof paint.
Then I can start to rebuild it.
Cheers Colin.

Looks like she runs nicely Colin. Can’t wait to see her installed in a boat😁

JB that's right, bevel gears off the crankshaft.
Cheers Colin

First Class Colin.
Looks to be a good runner. 👍
Regards Bill

That's pretty cool Colin, well done getting it rolling. Interesting movement, assuming the 'valve' spindle at the front is geared?

JB

Well done Colin. Take a look at this Chiltern steam make a reversing unit might work for you to get foreword reverse.
Rick

Looks like it runs very nicely Colin.

Interesting to see weather you can alter the speed of the engine.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Colin, it looks good and sounds good, and with a drop of Castrol R in the sump, it should smell pretty good also. Congratulations and nothing succeeds like success. Regards, Gary.

Hi Colin.
I bet you are really happy to see it moving nice and smoothly.

Martin555.

First test run ,using compressed air at 25psi. Probably less as not on fixed connection.
Tell me what you think.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,

Very pleased to hear that the steam engine is working well, your lucky find sounds as if it is getting luckier all the time. Any thoughts yet on what sort of boat it will inhabit.?

cheers, Nerys

Cheers Graham,
I will check it out, great help.
Thanks Colin.

Hi Colin,

Another possible source for steam fittings is Macc Models

https://maccmodels.co.uk/

Very helpful supplier. I source most of my metal raw materials from them, but they also have a wide range of steam fittings.

Graham93

Thanks Gary, most helpful will have to make a shopping list. I put a video on YouTube but it takes 9 hours to premiere.
This is my first proper steam engine, so different from my Mamod's.
I like the idea of the variable pitch prop. And I think I have an idea to restart the steam engine if it stops will try my idea then let you know the results.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin, great news I am really pleased for you and the fact you have a perfectly functioning steam plant, congratulations and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. On the globe valve and pipe fittings front, I would recommend Jerry at Clevedon Steam, very helpful and he has everything you will need, he used to work for Cheddar, (steam engines not cheese.) Regards, Gary.

Looks like you are going to have a bit of fun with that Colin.! nice looking engine, I'm sure you will find something to put it in.

JB

Well, I'm amazed by this little SUN engine.
Just ran a first test with compressor at 25psi after me rebuilding it, and it runs very sweet and quiet.
Got to make sump filler cap and a dipstick, buy some new brass pipe fittings, paint her up and fit cylinder cover. Any recommendations as to where to buy the miniature fittings.
Cheers Colin.

Ps video in hand.

Good morning Gary, I have watched his videos, and with the help of the drawings I downloaded I should now be ready for my test. That is once my house duties are finished according to symbols.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin, I am sat here waiting with bated breath for good news on the up and running front. If this is not the case then please get on to youtube and look for Keith Appleton Steam Videos, and explain your problem via a message. I am sure he will help you as he has the answers for everything steam engine-related. Regards, Gary.

Excellent Colin,
I am looking forward to your update.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Looking forward to your update Colin.

Martin555.

Way to go Colin even on air you will see the movement of a steam engine .
Rick

Yes Stephen, it's a good looking engine.
Found some detail engineering drawings and downloaded them, which gave me the information I needed.
So I sat down and stripped her down and rebuilt it to the drawings.
Tomorrow I'll try to see if it runs, found out it's missing a few bits such as sump drain screw, distinct, filler plug.
But I can make those from the drawings, drain screw already done.
For the test run I'll use compressed air and put castrol R 30 grade oil in the sump.
Watch tomorrow's update to see the results.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,

Lovely looking little engine.

I would second Gary's suggestion of Keith Appleton on YouTube, he has some really good videos.

Have you tried Stuart Tuner maybe there is an instruction manual.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Gary thanks for your information, I'll be checking it out, I'm going to join a local to me model engineering club as they specialise in steam engines and locomotives, there is also a marine section.
I feel like a kid again, excited about what I could possibly do with this great find. I might even try building a steel Hull.???
I will have a search in my plans collection to see if there is anything suitable.
Cheers Colin.

Hi MT, just my luck I suppose, it's about time things work in my favour.
What type of engine do you have, there are a few Stuart Turner boilers on that universal auction site, but out of my price range.
Luckily the S T Babcock 500 I got is only in need of a good clean and some new seals, although the ones on it don't leak but look horrible.
I'm struggling to find information on how to set the valve timing, any thoughts gratefully received.
Cheers Colin.

What luck Colin, I have the steam engine, the boat, both kindly donated by Gary. I'm waiting for lockdown to clear so I can source a boiler or materials to build one, nothing has come up on our local free page yet I look forward to your build blog

Good afternoon, do any of you wonderful steamer guys have the details of how to set the timing of the piston valve on a Stuart Turner "SUN" motor as the gearing on my new acquisition needs refitting.
But being new to steam (apart from MAMOD ) I'm totally lost but want to learn.
Even a book or website would be great.
Cheers Colin.

Thanks Gary, can't wait to see the motor working, but there is a problem with the gears to the piston valve, the screw that holds the crankshaft gear is too big and it jammed against the casting.
So now looking for a suitable grub screw, but also need details of how to set the timing correctly as I haven't a clue.
Cheers Colin.

Hello and good morning Colin, first and foremost I must congratulate you on your recent purchase of a very nice looking ST Sun marine steam engine, it must have been your lucky day and with its very compatible boiler a very nice find indeed. This was the favorite engine of the flash steam brigade for high-speed tethered runs a very robust little engine. It could be a bit of a problem finding a suitable 4ft to 5ft hull, mind you could start by building a launching trolley as this will be a problem. Your engine 3/4" bore, single acting, non-self starting, overhead shuttle piston valve, might need just a bit of a flick to get it running, make sure you remove condensate from the steam line before introducing steam to the engine. Check out Keith Appleton on youtube and you will find your engine and lots of help. As you need to keep your engine running all the time, especialy when out on the water I was thinking along the lines of Variable prop drive, which would give you both speed and forward and reverse control, check out Microcosm (China.) If I can help then please don't hesitate to get in touch. Even more good news is you may now consider yourself to be a bona-fide member of "The Slack-Handful Club." membership in the post. Regards, best wishes Gary.

Well, don't some people get the luck. I'd love to find a steam engine at a realistic price, but to find two !!!!! If it was mine, I'd build a steam yacht circa 1900. Long, graceful, clipper bow complete with gold scrollwork, gleaming white hull, two masts, tall yellow funnel, uniformed crew, anchored off Cowes for the 'week' with a Dreadnought and all the other steam yachts to watch the 'big class' racing. There goes the King's 'Britannia', first across the line with the Kaiser's schooner 'Meteor' close behind. You get the picture !!

Hi Colin,
I am sure you will get it steaming again even being made that long ago.
Things were made to last unlike today.

When i was a lot younger i used to get steaming regularly and i am still lasting (just)LOL!!

Martin555.

Colin, nice find, that’s so COOL!! I hope you get her installed and in the water soon.
I have a buddy of mine that likes to peruse second hand thrift stores, he’ll come up with hobby items occasionally that he paid very little for. I go to the same store and find ugly shoes and velvet Elvis posters🤣
Have fun with your new find!!

Thanks Martin, but I've always wanted a steam driven boat, but never could afford one.
So this Freeby is definitely going into a boat. I pressure tested the boiler today at 120psi and glad to say no leaks, only problem found was the safety valve refused to release at 60psi, so will have to strip and clean it and try again.
The engine was seized, but after soaking overnight in kerosene it is now free but the slide valve gearing isn't working, so that is next to look at, ???? Haven't a clue how it works yet or how to set it.
So if anyone reading this can suggest where to find details of how to do it, please let me know.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,

You will have to chose a model that reflect's the motor and boilers age.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with.

Maybe if you already have to many projects to do it would look good with it's boiler on a nice varnished board.
It will still look good on your displays .

Martin555.