John's Clishay build log

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dakine
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Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

trying to figure out what other included tool is for. Perhaps a tube remover?
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Bill Shields
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Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by Bill Shields »

Go for it.

Many of us have lightly used rollers sitting about, just in case

Some widows or other non-boiler building inheriting relatives are smart and clean shops at reasonable prices

Which part are you referring to as ,'included tool'?

If you are speaking of what appears to be an extension...if it has a drive in both ends, it is used to help keep side pressure from the tool, as they are easy to break.

I think of it as an 'allow misalignment' extender.

Unless it is a tube cutter...run it backwards and it cuts the tube off below the sheet.

Removing the rolled in tube is another exercise.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
dakine
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Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

looks like a cutter your describing
dakine
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:03 pm
Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

Bill, several have said somethin about "Marty’s method" for rolling tubes. Have any idea where to look for that ? I can not find it. Seems like a lot don't anneal the copper tubes?
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Bill Shields
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Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by Bill Shields »

Marty Knox is a professional boiler builder, primarily for the live steam hobby, but like me has done a lot of full size boiler (and heat exchanger) work.

He has done several posts on tube rolling over the decades.

Suggest that before you roll anything in a finish boiler, that you experiment on scrap bits to learn what you are doing.

It is easy to over roll a tube...you need to use lubricant and keep the roller clean, as it will accumulate copper flakes...and get a feel for what you are doing.. speed and pressure, and how far to put the roller in to achieve desired expansion as a percentage of wall thickness.

One method that I use to help teach is a piece of lron pipe with threaded caps on the end. Drill a hole in each cap of the size into which you will be rolling tubes

This allows you to experiment, and then pressurize to test for leaks.

Remember - you can always go back and reroll a leaker

A cracked tube is another story. If you over roll it and it cracks on the inside....it is toast

Question...will the roller you purchased fit between the outermost tube and the shell?

Many people who have never 'been there done that' think about it.

You also need to get the roller down into the firebox, work which you will need an extension and/or a wobble u-jount.

Many of us have 'linited space ' rollers to get in right areas.

Sometimes you can use a spacer under the roller for what is your top tube sheet.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
dakine
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:03 pm
Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

this is good - thanks
dakine
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Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

anneal the copper tubes?
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Bill Shields
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Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by Bill Shields »

Better explanation

If the largest diameter of the roller is greater than the center to wall distance of the closest tube...you got a problem

I do not anneal. Since the instant you start rolling, the copper work hardens.

This is the way I do it.

Others do anneal.

They are not wrong...it is just the way I do it.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
dakine
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Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:03 pm
Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

just checked worse case center to wall distance - I have about 1/8" clearance worst case .. had me worried!
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Bill Shields
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Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by Bill Shields »

Good.

Inside the firebox as well?

The last boiler I designed and built (that has rolled in tubes), the tube layout was predicated by my in hand roller since I did not want to purchase yet another.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
dakine
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Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

Bill, Boiler is two sections, bottom 6" firebox, 12" top boiler section (shown in photo) with top and bottom sheet. (Dry leg firebox) easy to get to tubes. Center to wall distance is good.

Using 0.625 OD type "L" copper tubes, 18Ga.
In searching around, don't see much on "how" to roll tubes...
dakine
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Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:03 pm
Location: Statesboro, ga

Re: John's Clishay build log

Post by dakine »

page one photos on this log show top and bottom sections
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