Internal Fire Museum of Power

Gentlemen,

I have to make a box with a door to support a cooling tank for my recently acquired Lister A, problem I have is that me and wood dont make good bed fellows particularly as I cant weld it, any suggestions on construction etc. I've bought the wood by the way.

Martin P

I have had nothing but Dramas with wood, what wood have you got to build it? I should have done mine by making a frame 1st then covering it with slats or plywood, but I didn’t, and it looks pants! as seen here:-



Cheers Steve

Originals along these linesFour corner posts of about 2 x 2. 1" thick planks about 4-6" wide nailed horizontally. A pair of opposite sides cut tobe flush with posts outer edges. Other pairs to lap first panks. Top about an inch wider all round than tank.
Top nailed and cut to overlap horizontal planks by 1-2".
Corner posts long enough to fix inside trolley rails, bottom nailed inside across rails.

hth
Roland

Steve,

For something that looks pants I would be happy with that, I have timber for a frame and external tongued and grooved boards for the sides.

Roland,

Whilst not having the timbers of size you quote the design I had in mind is similar, I have External Ply for tank base, box will be free standing as current engine trolley not long enough but will make to fit new trolley made later.

Martin P

I wouldn’t get to close to it Martin it horrid started to twist and I had to add extra bracing, still going though, on its 2nd engine.

If I were to start again I would make a simple frame a bit like this:-



Then put side and a top on.

Cheers Steve

Was in the office today and came away with a nice piece of 3/4" external ply for the top and bottom, no knots in it either.

Martin P

Don't forget that when the engines at work, the stand will have to support quite a weight of boiling water. It's best if it doesn't collapse and scald everyone in the area.
Apply the old proof test when it's made. fill the tank with cold water and add about 50% more weight. I like to make sure it will take weight of the water plus me. Some of you may not need the water to test it

John

You still havent got rid of that H & S hat have you

Martin P

Gentlemen,

Here is a picture of my feeble attempt at Woodwork, it will do for now.



Martin P

Does the Job Martin! the circular saw is a big help, I’m useless with a hand saw.

Cheers Steve

Circular saw, jig saw and two battery drills but the best tool of the lot was the workmate which I bought last year, my first one.

Martin P

Ah yes, I need a new one, bought a cheap Wicks one and it is pants! the tops are not even level.

Cheers Steve

Wish I'd been wearing it this afternoon. Then I might have let that welding cool longer before picking it up.

John

Wood! What sort of material is that, it's hardly been used in engineering since the days of the Newcomen engine. Why not make a metal framework out of mild steel box section and then cover it in wood?

Steve,

Weight is the reason, I'm getting to old to hump steel structures around. what I've made can be lifted with one hand and wont add much weight to the new trolley when I make it.

Martin P