Monday 11 January 2010

Boiler Fittings: Steam Outlet

The steam outlet is a fitting at the top of the boiler that provides a threaded attachment for the main steam line. It is made of brass; of which we start with a small block on the mill drilling the passages out.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5189181950_8b3b574c8e.jpg


Once that is done we cut out a small bit of waste to make our lives easier when we mount in the lathe.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5188581007_3642b50755.jpg


Using a spring loaded wobbler (actually it is the Taig live center, but it does double duty here) center the part so that the first boss can be turned.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/5188581271_f674b46d65.jpg


Turning complete now we have to thread 5/16-32 ME - a common size for commercially available nuts and tails.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5188581519_a31922e960.jpg


Threading complete. I also turned a small semicircular groove where the boss meets the square section and chamfered the end.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5189182918_c21a6cea5a.jpg


Here is a shot taken whilst turning the groove on the other boss. This boss is at 90 degrees to the other one and is smaller - in this case 0.250".


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1030/5189183196_c278caed2d.jpg


This boss gets threaded 1/4-40ME and chamfered as well. Note the piece of soft aluminium protective packing between the chuck jaw and the part.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5188582337_0958be0271.jpg


The finished article.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5188582581_255e73c109.jpg

No comments: