Plumbing Through Smokebox
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Plumbing Through Smokebox
All,
I’m working on plumbing up a steam pump and I’d like to plumb the exhaust through the smokebox and out the stack. Looking for ideas of how others plumbed through the wall of the smokebox.
Thanks!
I’m working on plumbing up a steam pump and I’d like to plumb the exhaust through the smokebox and out the stack. Looking for ideas of how others plumbed through the wall of the smokebox.
Thanks!
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
machine up a bulk head fitting. OD with 5/16-27 thread. ID 1/4-40 on the outside and inside.
basically a long reducer with ID threads on both ends.
basically a long reducer with ID threads on both ends.
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
- Bill Shields
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Same idea but as a 90 degree elbow.
Attach a long piece of 3/16 tube to the inside and bend to suit.
Another way to do it is to put the pump exhaust directly into the manual blower line.
Each has advantages (cosmetically) and disadvantages (back pressure) and complexity.
90% of the time I just run a short line from the pump up the side of the outside of the smoke box and terminate near the top of the stack...or just dump outer the side and the heck with it.
Attach a long piece of 3/16 tube to the inside and bend to suit.
Another way to do it is to put the pump exhaust directly into the manual blower line.
Each has advantages (cosmetically) and disadvantages (back pressure) and complexity.
90% of the time I just run a short line from the pump up the side of the outside of the smoke box and terminate near the top of the stack...or just dump outer the side and the heck with it.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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- Location: Marietta, Georgia
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
I just drilled a hole a stuck a nipple through with some high temp loctite. Could also caulk it in with a chisel or punch too.
-Tristan
Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay
Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay
Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Hi Greg,
Here are a couple of pictures of a 90 degree smokebox fitting and setup that may be of help.
On the inside of the smokebox, the fitting consists of a male thread which pokes through the hole in the smokebox and then a washer and nut to clamp the fitting to the smokebox wall and make the seal. That same male thread continues further inside, as it is also provides the thread for the compression union at the end of the fitting for attaching the internal pipe.
Make the male threaded portion as long as you need to bring the internal pipe union to a place where you can get a wrench on it to assemble.
Best regards
Steve
Here are a couple of pictures of a 90 degree smokebox fitting and setup that may be of help.
On the inside of the smokebox, the fitting consists of a male thread which pokes through the hole in the smokebox and then a washer and nut to clamp the fitting to the smokebox wall and make the seal. That same male thread continues further inside, as it is also provides the thread for the compression union at the end of the fitting for attaching the internal pipe.
Make the male threaded portion as long as you need to bring the internal pipe union to a place where you can get a wrench on it to assemble.
Best regards
Steve
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
I have used both methods (fitting as i described above and a slip fitting pipe) both methods work
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Some prototype locomotives had a small, separate exhaust nozzle fitted immediately behind the stack, on top of the smoke box. You’ll see a separate smaller trail of exhaust behind the main, firebox exhaust. I suspect the separate exhaust was done to not interfere with the draft through the smokebox, or vice versa..., or maybe make routine maintenance easier,,,
Glenn
Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum
Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge
Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge
Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10459
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10459
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Actually...Bob Thomas (B&O Bob) just made me giggle by jogging my currently addled brain:
Has anyone looked up the definition of 'plumbing' ??? (other than after my occasional reminding posters to do so?)
In the strictest definition of 'plumbing through smokebox' -> it would be a smelly affair indeed....
Has anyone looked up the definition of 'plumbing' ??? (other than after my occasional reminding posters to do so?)
In the strictest definition of 'plumbing through smokebox' -> it would be a smelly affair indeed....
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Thanks for the suggestions, all. I think I have some direction now.
- makinsmoke
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- Location: Texas Hill Country
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
I seem to recall you making that distinction more than once, Mr. Bill!
Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox
Usually, the separate exhaust was used on oil-burning locomotives, for the reason you mention. Coal-burning locos generally exhausted the pump through the cylinder exhaust port.Glenn Brooks wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:47 am Some prototype locomotives had a small, separate exhaust nozzle fitted immediately behind the stack, on top of the smoke box. You’ll see a separate smaller trail of exhaust behind the main, firebox exhaust. I suspect the separate exhaust was done to not interfere with the draft through the smokebox, or vice versa..., or maybe make routine maintenance easier,,,
Glenn
Dan Watson
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, TN