I cut steel for my boiler today

[fireman31]

Today's progress...

Not much to photograph for today's progress. My neighbor loaned me a torch head and the cutting has sped up considerably. My torch head was sent out for repair and I was cutting everything with a reciprocating saw.

I did a bit of welding today with the stick welder. It's been some time since I used one and it will suffice to say that my stick welds (at least in one pass)are far from waterproof.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to which brand of grinding discs last better than others? The Dewalts I've been using don't seem to last long as I think they should.

I work tomorrow so it will likely be Saturday or Monday before I have any more progress to post.

 

[Metals406]

Not much to photograph for today's progress. My neighbor loaned me a torch head and the cutting has sped up considerably. My torch head was sent out for repair and I was cutting everything with a reciprocating saw.

I did a bit of welding today with the stick welder. It's been some time since I used one and it will suffice to say that my stick welds (at least in one pass)are far from waterproof.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to which brand of grinding discs last better than others? The Dewalts I've been using don't seem to last long as I think they should.

I work tomorrow so it will likely be Saturday or Monday before I have any more progress to post.

Dewalt wheels suck!.. You need flap discs and a couple hard wheels. For the hard wheels, I suggest CGW's (Camel Grinding Wheels), and their flap discs are pretty dynamite too.

In the flap discs, look for ceramic or zirconia.

Here's the link to CGW's site: http://www.abrasivesmall.com/cgwframe.htm

More: http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=CG...sid=m270.l1313&_odkw=camel+zirconia&_osacat=0

 

[fireman31]

I remember Camel.. I bought some DA paper from them years ago. It was great stuff!

I've never used the flap discs before. Will they fit wherever the hard discs go or will I need to buy a spacer?

 

[Metals406]

I remember Camel.. I bought some DA paper from them years ago. It was great stuff!

I've never used the flap discs before. Will they fit wherever the hard discs go or will I need to buy a spacer?

They chuck in just like a hard wheel. If you haven't ever used a flap disc... You're gonna never look back! Very handy for fab.

EDIT: Oh, and for your application, get 40 and 60 grit.

 

[RuralCruiser007]

Lookin good so far! Keep us updated on your progress.

How did you find the plans from DEB Design? I am in the process of getting ready to make an OWB also and have searched high and low for plans. They seem to be the only ones I can find.

Glenn

 

[fireman31]

I bought mine on ebay but they sell direct.

http://www.deb-design.com/

I got all 3 sets of boiler plans plus the sidearm plans on 1 CD for one price.

 

[John D]

I keep one 5" grinder set up with a flap disc,the other with a 5" grinding wheel. Its handy to have both of them.

 

[Metals406]

I keep one 5" grinder set up with a flap disc,the other with a 5" grinding wheel. Its handy to have both of them.

 

[RuralCruiser007]

How did you find the plans from DEB Design?

Sorry, my wording didn't come across right.

How did you find the information from them? Does it give you enough information? Does it go in depth with forced air draft? .... I could go on and on with questions that I need finer details on. I try to get the most bang for my buck.

I have figured out all the basics, it is just would feel better if I had "reference" material to fall back on.

My wife says I over engineer everything. I would rather do this once and have it last, than have to redo it a couple of times.

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks in advance,
Glenn

 

[fireman31]

Yep very clear and in depth directions. The drawings and picture lack a little though. They even cover building the draft fan and damper from off the shelf parts. They sell them on ebay and direct.

here is a link to the plans I'm basing mine on:http://cgi.ebay.com/Outdoor-Wood-Burner-Boiler-Furnace-plan-2-How-To-Build_W0QQitemZ130272916444QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item130272916444&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A2|294%3A50

 

[fireman31]

blower fan location any suggestions?

I made some more progress today on my boiler. The plans I'm basing it on put the blower in the door. I'm changing the door design to work with the materials I have so it raises the location of the blower about 10 inches. I'd really like to keep the blower in the door but it seems to me that putting that high above the bed of coals sort of defeats the purpose.

Any thoughts??

Pics to follow in a bit

 

[fireman31]

todays progress

It's been a few days since I made any progress. I got sucked into helping a friend of a friend move his lion and tiger and helping with their church pageant. The lion , tiger and several other wild animals are in the pageant.

Today I cut the steel for the door frame. The opening is 21 1/2 x 17. Does that seem big enough? I could go taller by about 6 inches but no wider. The reason for the distance from the top is to allow an access plate to the second pass chamber above the firebox.

Not a lot of progress but Rome wasn't built in a day.

I'll post a pic of the whole end later. Gotta go help with the lion and tiger again.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/royalred50/ebay421.jpg

 

[fireman31]

Buehler? Buehler?

No replies.... HMMM what? nobody has any opinions??

 

[RuralCruiser007]

From the bottom of the door opening, how much space does that give you for ash/coal bed? Are you going with a separate ash door also, or just gonna shovel out from the loading door? Are you going with natural draft or forced draft?

With this set up, how what is the sq. ft. of the fire box and how large is the water jacket going to be?

Sorry for all the questions.

Glenn

BTW: Thanks for the information about the plans from DEB Designs. I will be getting a set in the New Year and starting on my build also.

 

[John D]

I made some more progress today on my boiler. The plans I'm basing it on put the blower in the door. I'm changing the door design to work with the materials I have so it raises the location of the blower about 10 inches. I'd really like to keep the blower in the door but it seems to me that putting that high above the bed of coals sort of defeats the purpose.

Any thoughts??

Pics to follow in a bit

As for the blower,I agree lower is better,but central boiler,crown royal,and many others put theres in the door. Central boiler has been builing them a long time,and it seems to do the job.

 

[RuralCruiser007]

Man am I bad. :jawdrop:

I read it all and had my head elsewhere. Thanks for pointing it out John D

Glenn

 

[fireman31]

progress pic

I haven't gotten the feedback on the questions I'd hoped for. Please guys...SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE !!

here is a pic of the door frame. I'll post the firebox measurements later today.

 

[cmetalbend]

I made some more progress today on my boiler. The plans I'm basing it on put the blower in the door. I'm changing the door design to work with the materials I have so it raises the location of the blower about 10 inches. I'd really like to keep the blower in the door but it seems to me that putting that high above the bed of coals sort of defeats the purpose.

Any thoughts??

Pics to follow in a bit

Actually you could mount your blower at the top, and run a air channel down to the bottom. My draft on my barrel stove is set up this way. It works great so I don't see why it wouldn't work for you. Actually it helps keep Hedge wood from sparking out the draft also. opcorn:

 

[cmetalbend]

I haven't gotten the feedback on the questions I'd hoped for. Please guys...SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE !!

here is a pic of the door frame. I'll post the firebox measurements later today.

Nice heavy angle iron, wish I had some that big layin around. Keep goin, I'm takin notes.