Building My New Safe DIY Boiler From a Propane Tank

[@andyjones7121]

You know what I really like about this video? You actually show the process we all go through, figuring out what we want, comparing that to what we have on hand, and finding a solution. A lot of videos just edit out the thinking process and "why" they do what they do. Nice. Just look at all the projects and experience you have under your belt while other guys are playing video games. Impressive.

[@makerj101]

Andy Jones Thank you! I try to do that in all my videos. For example people like Grant Thompson do really clean and nice videos. But when it comes to replicating it there isn't really enough information. He doesn't share all his failures and such. So the only way you could get it to work is to fallow the video exactly. LOL yeah I don't play any video/computer games. Actually I do play Minecraft like once every other month. But generally I spend most of my time on KZbin. :P I should really spend less time watching videos and replying to comments and more time making videos and projects. Thank you!

[@1toastandjam1]

Keith Appleton is a British gentlemen in England who has been building and repairing steam powered engines and boilers for over 30 years . I highly recommend anyone wishing to build a boiler have a look at his videos before attempting your builds if for no other reason but safety. A soft solder seam yes may seem like a safety idea but I wouldn’t want that seam to let go just at the moment my face or hand was next to it. Learn from an expert builder, build your boiler with proper materials and proven methods that date back 100 years +. You have the necessary skills but your design scares the heck out of me it’s a bomb waiting to hurt some one. I’m not trying to be mean spirited just want to see a talented young man live on to build more and bigger cool projects. This country needs more hands on fellas like you. Best wish.

[@joeviking61]

A Firetube Boiler ! Kiddo, I am super impressed. Outstanding work ...

[@maybesomaybenot720]

i just found your channel. as a old guy thats been doing the same types of tinkering and experimenting for a lot of years, i got to say.. im impressed and i have learned qiute a few things from you. which brings me to my next point. i noticed how you ask. questions in your videos sometimes. as opposed to googling things and pretending you already know everything... keep that up..... wisdom is more valuable than pride.

[@lilbluedazook]

Always use silver solder, hydrostatic test to 115psi x2, and then a compressed air test, those water sight glasses will not bust under pressure unless you have it not aligned right, or the wrong glass, be very careful, anything under steam that goes bank will triple in velocity as the boilers water instantly turns to steam as well, but glad to see you have a passion for this kind of thing, some silver solder won't set you back much, and it is much stronger, larger boilers are all welded. I wouldn't go over 10psi with your propane boiler, and be careful using plastic water sights. Happy steaming, check out PM Research, they sell boiler kits, so do Stuart Models. Also always fit a safety valve.

[@parkersposts]

Just a question why only 10 psi

[@cobre7717]

@@parkersposts its extremely thin steel. It could easily rustout. Even at 10 psi it is sketchy when it explodes. Pop a balloon... Then picture it filled with over boiled steam vapor expanding in your face.

[@hvackid9]

I want to build a manual propane forced air furnace for my workshop. The video you have of the burners gave me the idea. I would use a torch pike you did. Awesome job on the boiler!!!

[@makerj101]

hvackid9 Cool! Thank you!

[@jasonbrown467]

your video helped me a great deal. i work in IT but have always been mechanically inclined, but had no idea how to work with this metal.

[@fishmut]

It 2020 and I still love your engineering videos mate, keep them coming love to see more 👍

[@TriangleStirling]

That sure is a very nice boiler. Love the finished look, it really looks like a boiler. The paint job just finishes it. This should be much safer indeed than the tomato can. Looking forward to the fire box !

[@makerj101]

TriangleStirling Yeah the paint does make it look really nice! I can't wait to get the boiler done too so I can test it out! Thank you!

[@ChefRex]

Here come the safety nuts. Good Video having built several boilers, propane tanks are pressure vessels built for lots of pressure many many times the operating pressure of your boiler using soft solder is fine as if you cook the boiler the solder will melt venting the steam we use soft solder on the lower rivets of our boilers some times if anything goes wrong the solder melts steam vents. Catastrophe over. Good work.

[@pierre5325]

Dear Makerj 101, Bravo, very well done sir. Hope to see more of your good works. Blessings, pierre from New Mexico

[@SpinStar1956]

Very nice and excellent craftsmanship on your part. Look forward to seeing this one in action. I too have problems with lead-free solder; the stuff is just a pain to get sufficient wetting (using enough heat) before the flux evaporates and the joint oxidizes. I think is will hold just fine since you have good enough wetting in the interior of the joint. Also, like your sight-glass, as it is very important to not run out of water which will cause the boiler to heat up and loosen the solder etc. Once again, great job!

[@makerj101]

SpinStar1956 Well the lead free solder seems to be just fine! I just tested the boiler out today and ran it for several hours and no leaks! I refilled it with water at least 10 times! You have to fill it up every 20 minutes of running and it takes about 5 minutes to recover back to a good boil and pressure. So it is working well. Now I need to rebuild my steam engine because there are a couple failure points I need to address to get it operating more efficiently. Maybe I'll just build a new one. Thank you!

[@jordanjorde3442]

it's general purpose solder with lead and silver. I will try what you said. I need a new boiler tank because I wrecked the other one. thanks for the tips I hope I can get it to work like yours.

[@shazizz]

Very nice work, can't wait to see the finished project. Thanks for sharing.

[@makerj101]

shazizz I can't wait too! :D Thank you!

[@BinjKomisar11]

Very cool. Should be much safer than the tomato can for sure. Excellent work as always!

[@makerj101]

Binj Komisar Yes! Will be a lot safer! Thank you!

[@sjrr124]

You were talking about boiler capacity. The tomato sauce was 28 fl oz (volume) and the propane was 16.4 oz (weight). Thus the anomaly.

[@gregmorren1067]

Propane is not a cost effective competitor to coal or fuel oil or nuclear btu per unit it's extremely subjective to global warming/fossil fuel bullshit, propane can and if democrats have there way will cost more per btu than diesel, natural gas or wood, the EPA and John Kerry's of the world will always punish smoke/steam/anything that can be attributed to some form of a taxable offense, when taxes reach the 20 to 40 % level the government needs to get creative, they impose gas taxes, road and infrastructure taxes, plus property tax increases, regulations on your oil, diesel, propane, natural gas and gasoline, they ie(government) know we will only take so much, the whole tea party thing was kinda dry run they learned that an outward taxation without representation would never fly again, so these oh so brilliant politicians try and hide their increased taxation in other forms like I said roads, schools, infrastructure, and the biggest taxation demon GLOBAL WARMING

[@DieselDoktor]

Wow, absolutely incredible

[@Pef273]

Great job! You may want to look up how quickly reg solder loses its strength at temperatures above boiling

[@larrykielasa9204]

He is keeping all his tubes below the warwe line. Probably an advantage if the solder let’s go if the water goes low.

[@ricvis44]

OMG! You have got to video the explosion when it blows! That would be awesome!

[@consciousenergies]

Looking snazzy, love the paint job ;)

[@makerj101]

Diadon Acs Thank you! :)

[@JoshKilen]

you could put the flame under the round part of the tank and route the gases through the tubes.

[@makerj101]

Josh Kilen Yep! That's exactly my plan!

[@tylergruden7721]

Nice work iv started buliding a boiler and silver solder works best and make a three side box useing hearth bricks to keep the heat of your torch on your work piece it will help.

[@makerj101]

+tyler gruden Yeah! Good tip, thanks!

[@sethparker1473]

In the hvac world... We would brase it with a brasing rod and acetylene and oxygen. Which will bond to copper and steel easily.

[@makerj101]

Yeah I'd love to be able to braze stuff. Thing is brazing equipment is pretty costly.

[@angrynordicmidget]

Exactly what i was about to suggest.

[@4dscreenart]

Good job... ever think about using a small air tank?

[@stupidman9774]

I would Purge it with the valve open till empty then throw into a camp fire until it purges itself. Pull it out cool it and start cutting or drilling safely

[@SugarcreekForge]

Nice work! I think if you bring the tank up to heat more, you will get the solder to flow better. Concentrate your torch on the tank around your joint. It has more thermal mass and by the time it comes to heat, the pipes will be too. It should be hot enough to touch the solder to it and melt it without the torch directly on the solder. It will flow and wick better.

[@makerj101]

SugarcreekForge Thanks for the tips!

[@9sec93lx]

Makerj101 Put the tank in the oven set at about 450- 500 degrees for a 20 or 30 minute period before soldering next time. This will get your solder to flow a bit easier for you. Oh BTW, you really need to buy a tripod, shaky camera work is the only negative for this video. Otherwise very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBridgeProduction1]

Beautiful job there, well done

[@dcwest83]

Great job though looks pretty cool

[@franknapolitano9144]

Maybe you can use a 7-1/4" X 1/4" Copper Pipe, with holes drilled along the length and around the diameter of the pipe, up in the steam area inside the boiler ? This is called a Drypipe which goes the full length of the steam/water "drum" (boiler) and it will help separate some of the water droplets from the saturated steam vapor before it enters the Main Steam line. The Drypipe, in the upper Steam/Water section of the boiler, will be connected up to the riser where you placed the Main Steam Stop Valve. :)

[@jdflyback]

Is it possible to make a modification or an add on to make the steam a little dryer so that water does not just pour into the engine?

[@makerj101]

jdflyback Yep! Just run the steam output pipe through the fire box! I've seen other steam engines here on KZbin use that method.

[@funny1048youtube]

looks much better than the soup can boiler but the only concern i have is the solder melting when heating the boiler and then the copper tubes would pop off

[@makerj101]

Dean Walcott I think as long as I keep the water covering the solder joints I shouldn't have a melt down. Thank you!

[@oshkiv4684]

Steam can only get to 211°f, even at the pressures he's at

[@lorenzo42p]

would it though? maybe someone with more knowledge could confirm or correct me. I think the boiling point of water is 132C or 270F at 30PSI. that seems high to me, so I could be wrong.

[@mikegolfaviation6340]

The solder sticks alot better when you blast on the cylinder, copper heats up quicker

[@marcinzochowski7279]

Carbide burrs are great to resize holes.

[@GorillaFPV4life]

Very nice!

[@ch300fnqi]

Wow, awesome. Now I want to make a new boiler for my steam engine, lol They,re good winter projects :) here is mine Home made twin-cylinder double acting steam engine with new boiler

[@makerj101]

Thank you! Yeah you could do with a safer alternative! Cool!

[@ch300fnqi]

Makerj101 I'm just waiting to see how yours works out, mostly the heat transfer and the flame draft through your flue tubes :)

[@makerj101]

ch300fnqi It actually works great! I was testing it out the other day! You can hold your hand over the exhaust gases without getting burnt! For the test I was just using some fire bricks as a fire box. I don't have a chimney yet so there is not enough draft to make the flame burn efficiently and it would go out some times if you turned it up too high. So I added a little DC blower fan to the air intake and it works great! Now that I am getting good combustion it is way more powerful. Before when I would run the engine on full throttle the pressure would settle down to about 7PSI. The engine runs pretty slow on 7PSI. But now that I am getting better combustion with the little blower and using the same amount of gas the pressure settles around 15PSI which makes the engine run at an excellent speed and lot of power. So I'm thinking I could even use a bigger orifice to get more natural gas! Once I get a good chimney with a good draft I'm hoping I will not need the fan anymore. If I do still need the fan I think I would make a little steam turbine to run a little fan! Or just inject some steam into the chimney to help with the draft.

[@ch300fnqi]

Makerj101 Sounds like it's progressing great! Put a video on when you get a chance :)

[@TeslaExplorer]

This man is creative!

[@makerj101]

Tesla Explorer Hahaha thanks!

[@jimk5035]

just a quick heads up copper reacts with aluminum so any parts in contact will corrode

[@DarthGandalftheBlack]

Steam burn? I get that 100%, but shrapnel should be just as big a concern. Those cans get really sharp.. lol

[@akkudakkupl]

For some more power you can split the steam output to multiple small pipes and run them in the flues in counter current to the hot gas so you superheat the steam. Also you will always get dry solder joints on steel with normal solder, you need silver solder for this I think.

[@makerj101]

akkudakkupl Yeah I've thought about that! Yeah I don't have silver solder tho. Thanks!

[@kreynolds1123]

I'm far from certain that the plastic sight tube would hold up under pressure when heated. Remember, water's boiling temperature increases when under pressure, and plastics tend to to have relativly low temp ratings. Just be careful and observant.

[@joshdudash1418]

I want you to repeat after me: "I have done so much, with so little, for so long, that I can do anything, with nothing." You showed good ingenuity when it came to solving a problem you didn't have the correct tools to solve said problem. I'm going to go watch some of your newer stuff to see how you learned over the years, because while you solved problems well, there were quite a few things you did wrong, and would've made your life significantly easier had you done them "correctly"

[@makerj101]

+Josh Dudash hahaha I don't know about doing anything with nothing! They sounds pretty hard! Thanks!

[@Hoverbot1TV]

The gas outlet gasket on the screw on part will burn melt out and it will blow!

[@JoshKilen]

glass can withstand the higher temps better the plastic. I have three model steam engines and they all use glass for the sight gauge.

[@makerj101]

Josh Kilen Yeah but the glass can't handle the thermal shock of soldering the jonts.

[@JoshKilen]

Makerj101 true but you could use the piece of plastic to space you fittings, then when your done soldering you would replace the plastic with a piece of glass the same size and length of the space.

[@makerj101]

Josh Kilen True

[@MortalBane]

Don't forget that A) It's rated for room temperature, so heat may/probably will lower that - and B) Solder will be very weak at hot temperatures plus may makes sure it's lead free solder or you'll be spraying lead everywhere. Otherwise good job.

[@jerryjordan1448]

Have you built the firebox your videos are greatly appreciated will the 1/2 " copper tubing get the heat from the fire box or will the burner just go underneath the boiler I hope I'm saying this correctly thanks

[@UniversityofFreedom1]

Wow! Keep making my friend. I want you on my zombie apocalypse survival team! For sure!

[@makerj101]

North Texas Entrepreneurs Academy Hahaha thanks!

[@spannersworkshop]

Nice idea but WHOAAAA OMG soft solder on a steam boiler... I wouldn't trust that at any distance or pressure, sheesh a steam iron is quite capable of scalding .. I hope you use long firing irons, valve extensions and gloves when its hot

[@cecilking3727]

As long as the water level doesn't get to low its fine,have you ever tried to solder a pipe with water in it an acetylene torch won't do it

[@PhillipLudlow]

cant wait to see the finished product

[@makerj101]

Phillip Ludlow Yeah me too!

[@aristotle6597]

To be safe you need to braze those joints with something a lot harder & with a much higher melting point temperature than ordinary solder! So it might be a good idea to think about investing in a small oxy propane kit for the future if you intend making anymore boilers, or you might get your head blown off at some point!...It's good to see people making stuff though, even though it could be pretty lethal...;-)

[@yensabi]

Nice work , next time you need to drill some holes get yourself a step drill ( Looks like a christmas tree ) and it will save you a lot of time and gives a perfect hole of any size :)

[@makerj101]

+yensabi I actually just recently got one! I love it so far! I used in in my construction of my internal combustion engine!

[@Nick-xm1ux]

Hey I’m planning out a boiler and I want to know your method of making sure that the holes on each end of the boiler for the flues are straight and true. Thanks!

[@PaticusMD]

Good work lad, but be careful and don't stand by it when testing. A steam pressure explosion can be lethal. Stay safe and keep up the work

[@kingkiller95k30]

Have you tried using cutting-oil for your sandpaper rotary wheel

[@bernardfoshage9901]

Kid, you're going to seriously hurt yourself with that. What you may not have thought about here is that steel and copper handle heat very differently and expand with heat at different rates. In turn making your "solder" joints prone to fatigue and then failure. I recommend construction of 100% copper to which the ends are supported with stays, and any flue tubes are swagged and rolled over. and then using SILVER solder minimum.

[@makerj101]

I know what you mean. I just don't have the tools. I also will only bring this boiler up to 40 PSI max. I am thinking about putting the boiler out in the middle of a field and powering it up without the pressure relief valve and then retreat to safety and see how it fails and what pressure it withstands before failure. Would really make me feel a lot safer if I knew the extent to which this boiler can withstand. Thank you for your concern.

[@tylerbohn]

Makerj101 If you want to get some knowledge I suggest the Pan Global Power Engineering books and the boiler construction code books from Canada if you can get your hands on them. Tons of great information and they show you how to do the calculations needed. Good luck with everything!

[@makerj101]

Tyler Bohn Cool thank you! I'll look into those books.

[@cecilking3727]

Copper is not a good material for boilers its inherently to weak,the propane tank he's useing is many times stronger than copper its a pressure vessel,and the normal solder is fine for this kind of boiler so is the plastic tubing for the water gauge

[@beinbrek]

I see somebody already mentioned silver solder, good. Properly applied silver solder will handle high temperatures without melting and hold pressure. i worked at a tire retread shop one time who had a bunch of steam molds retubed by a welding shop before they hired me. Whoever did the soldering didn't know what he was up too as the joints looked like yours and blew after a short time. I ended up re-soldering the entire lot for the shop. I did them right and they held the pressure at operating temperature and still were the last time I ever heard anything about them. You don't build up metal, that's a waste. You simply heat the metal up and sweat the solder right on in. I don't know the makeup of lead-free solder, but unless it is made out of a bunch of cadmium it should be alright for use at the temperature water boils at. Be careful boilers have a long history of danger and when doing a DYI project you want to over engineer for your planned stresses with something like that.

[@ClemoVernandez]

nice boiler

[@makerj101]

science Vlog Thank you!

[@victorm7118]

Hi my friend, did you make a good boiler. can you tell me. What's the name of the manometer to measure the pressure of steam? please. I want to buy it.

[@AntonBabiy]

Nice work! Much safer now 8-) 👍👍👍👍😃👍👍👍👍

[@makerj101]

Anton Babiy Yes, MUCH safer! :D Thank you!

[@AntonBabiy]

Makerj101 The video about the hdd is uploading 👍 stay tuned. Just saying 😏😏😏😏

[@makerj101]

Anton Babiy First I was like what are you talking about... Then I thought about it for a minute... You're talking about that awesome hard drive motor you made! LOL I read and reply to sooooo many KZbin comments it's hard to keep track of conversations! :P

[@makerj101]

Makerj101 Just look at all the comments I posted already in the comments of this video! :P

[@Fatpumpumlovah2]

one mistake, your sight tube is rubber, you do remember that that is directly connected to the pressurized water tank.. i see a balloon in your future then BOOM burns.

[@coltconnorproductions1016]

I wanna make one out of a bigger propane tank for a steam whistle i plan to get, maybe i can hit you up for help? let me know, thanks.

[@gwheyduke]

Well done! You really would enjoy a little lathe or mill. Have you checked out PM Research steam engine's and fittings catalog?

[@makerj101]

gwheyduke YES I would LOVE a lath or mill! :D I've always wanted one! No I have not heard of that. Just checked it out. Really cool! Most of the stuff is a bit out of my budget though. I have a pretty small budget or I wouldn't be using a propane tank as a boiler! :P Thank you!

[@k4kfh]

How do you be absolutely sure that you emptied the propane can? I am thinking of trying this but would sure hate for a spark from a drill or a grinder to find it's way to a couple leftover propane molecules.

[@cncsteamer]

Hello. Heating will not dissolve solder back?

[@makerj101]

Colchester Lathe I doubt it. Maybe after like 10 years. But I will not have this thing running continuously. Just start it up once and a while to experiment.

[@HYDROGENTEK]

Can you share the material you used for the water level. thank you.

[@GlevoTec]

Nicely done. This should work much better than the tomato sauce can. I'm curious

[@makerj101]

1shnitsel Yes it should! Thank you!

[@fillopygeesi]

Hi nice builds I may be interested in doing something similar to this myself one day for a model boat. As far as your pressure gauges and relief valves and go can you use them for a regular air compressor or do they have to be for steam

[@makerj101]

+fillopygeesi Hmm well here is the pressure relief valve I have used and it works great. smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GDXT3O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00 As for the pressure gauge, pretty much anything that does not have a plastic window on it should work. The plastic windows will melt. So you need one that has glass. The rest of more pressure gauges is metal so the temperature will not harm it.

[@djzatka]

Why you put copper tubes inside?

[@nathandean1687]

you need to get a stepped drill bit.

[@makerj101]

+Nathan Dean I do have one now!

[@nathandean1687]

Makerj101 kool.

[@WisTrash]

Great work! I was planning on doing this last summer, but never got around to it. I am gonna start on it soon. I was wonder how you get an empty propane tank. Can you buy them or do you have to use one up?

[@makerj101]

Wis Trash I got it from my grandmas basement! Yeah you just have to use up the propane. You technically could just buy a new full one and empty it out since they only cost like $4 full. Good luck building yours!

[@sillystupidusername1]

use a stepped bit if nobody has suggested that yet

[@martinsampson9370]

thats one way to meet your maker steam and solder not silver solder

[@kito96]

What is the function of the copper tubes?

[@makerj101]

+kito96 The hot exhaust gasses go through them and transfer a little more heat thus making it more efficient.

[@dawsonstechtalk5619]

You can extend the life of your grinding stones with a dressing block. Dremel sells one. Just google "Dremel Dressing Stone"

[@VincesEngines]

That Valve you say is more than likely a schrader valve like the valve used in a pneumatic tyre for inflating or filling not a safety valve

[@craigwykoff7882]

8madjack have you ever heard of the ASME code? I am a National Board commissioned inspector. This would not meet code.

[@makerj101]

+Craig Wykoff Yeah I know, it probably wouldn't. Do you have any suggestions for me to make it safer? Thank you!

[@icefire001]

+Craig Wykoff Dude seriously? Its a model boiler, it doesn't fall under any code. Its a hobby boiler. The boy is doing a fine job of testing his model before he fires up. I think what he is doing is great for his age, and the American way is learning by doing. Unless the government wants to keep getting everything from china. We need people like this boy to learn, and to do. This is a real American. Right On

[@makerj101]

+Matt Schuette Thank you for the support man! :D

[@cecilking3727]

Yea they inspected and wrote bullshit fines until everything is made in China now,osha,epa,atf,and all the other bullshit waste of money the government can find

[@Random_How-tos]

Do you have any recommendations for a pressure relief valve for a 5 gallon Steam boiler

[@rjserra5535]

Hello Miller's Hobby. Sizing a pressure relief valve is dependent on the rate the boiler makes steam, (usually calculated in pounds per hour of steam). The rate the boiler makes steam is dependent on amount of heat you are putting into the boiler and the rate at which you are putting that heat into the boiler. The more heat you put into the boiler and the faster you put it into the boiler the larger the pressure relief valve will be required so that the boiler will not outrun the flow capacity of the pressure relief valve. So start with figuring out the flow rate of steam you plan to have coming out of your boiler and use that to help select the correct size pressure relief valve. Here is a link to an on-line reference on sizing pressure relief valves to get you started: www.pdhonline.com/courses/m112/Selection%20and%20Sizing%20of%20Pressure%20Relief%20Valves.pdf As a cautionary note, building steam boilers is not trivial. Always remember that you are building a bomb. Even at relatively low pressures boilers can be dangerous. Always make sure you have a safety valve, (a second pressure relief valve set at a slightly higher pressure), in addition to the main pressure relief valve just in case your pressure relief valve fails. You should also build a sturdy blast shield around your boiler that will deflect pieces, (not contain pieces), of metal in a safe direction in case of catastrophic failure of the boiler. It is best to deflect steam explosions. Containment of expanding steam is difficult. It would be a good idea to find a mechanical engineer to help you will this.

[@Random_How-tos]

Thank you so much for the suggestions I appreciate it.

[@jordanjorde3442]

I'm trying to build a steam engine but the solder won't stick or stay in place

[@makerj101]

+Jordan Jorde what kind of solder are you using? What kind of flux? Did you clean every speck of rust, paint, and anything else from the metal? I imagine you ate trying to solder steel? Keep torch away from the joint your are soldering. Heat up the metal around it and let conduction do the work for you.

[@tigerkoenigs3819]

what the guarantee of the safety boiler?

[@wanglydiaplt]

Just outta curiosity have you hydroed it?

[@makerj101]

SteamboatEd Haas Yep! I think I showed that in one of my videos...

[@wanglydiaplt]

Glad to hear it!

[@bobbrueckner7498]

You didn't tell us how you purged the tank before drilling the holes. If you don't purge it first you take the chance of a very dangerous explosion.

[@johncdoty]

I agree with this. Fill the tank completely with water and drill your first hole with absolutely no gas in the tank only water.

[@Accumulator1]

When I saw Propane tank , I thought it was going to be a good size tank not a piss ant bottle. I got a 20 gal propane tank I am considering.

[@HighVoltageMadness]

What is your age? Your content is great! Keep up the great work!

[@bobi_lopataru]

He was around 16 at the time I think

[@dcwest83]

Your Soldering copper the steel go much much better if you use 45% silver Sauter

[@patribbing6756]

you tried sodering copper to a propane tank. no wonder it didn't work. should've tig welded it.

[@makerj101]

+Pat Ribbing LOL? I did solder copper tube to the steel propane tank and it worked very well. Do I look like I'm rich enough to have a TIG welder??

[@patribbing6756]

Makerj101 We'll go head on wit ya bad self. and ya little toys'r'us paper clip & battery imitation welder. Might as well build a fire, throw in some aluminum cans and pour the liquid metal on ya little project. If you was real smart you would've gone to your local college and hit the mechanic shop and built a make-shift one. if you was real smart.

[@davidburlingame9336]

Where is part two?

[@nonamemike7149]

the "boiler" needed to be way hotter! and clean of paint of course.

[@InventingThings]

what is the point of the plastic tubing?

[@makerj101]

Inventing Things sight glass. It's so I can see how much water is in the boiler. if the water level gets too low the boiler will melt.

[@InventingThings]

Makerj101 that wouldn't be good..... i really like your idea!!!! i might start building steam gadgets on my channel

[@makerj101]

Inventing Things thank you! Yeah, definitely make some and post some videos! I'd love to see them

[@InventingThings]

Makerj101 ;) will do hopefully soon

[@makerj101]

Inventing Things awesome!

[@gaberatata7156]

Can I buy this from you?

[@gabrielmurowsky9045]

how do you cut square holes

[@makerj101]

+Gabe Murowsky I use my dermal tool to make square holes half inch and larger. For smaller than half inch I like to drill a normal hole and then square the corners out with a square file. It takes some work but you can get a really nice square hole with some practice.

[@gabrielmurowsky9045]

Makerj101 thanks man, a couple days ago I had the Idea to build a boiler from an old Keurig coffee maker I took apart. I did it today and the plastic top melted through and I got rid of it. I searched how to make one and I found your channel, and subscribed after watching 2 videos. You are very helpful.

[@makerj101]

+Gabe Murowsky you might be able to replace the top plastic par that melted with some sheet metal. Thanks for subscribing! I'm gonna be mashing lots of interesting videos over the summer.

[@makerj101]

+Gabe Murowsky you might be able to replace the top plastic par that melted with some sheet metal. Thanks for subscribing! I'm gonna be mashing lots of interesting videos over the summer.

[@makerj101]

+Gabe Murowsky you might be able to replace the top plastic par that melted with some sheet metal. Thanks for subscribing! I'm gonna be mashing lots of interesting videos over the summer.

[@artvillanueva9628]

Your dad is rad.

[@opieshomeshop]

You need acid flux for steel.

[@peterfischer68]

ist das ding schon explodiert?

[@sethparker1473]

Well you have to have to just by it one pice at a time

[@TheElectronicaHD]

Impressive video. I’d love to have the know how to try something like this myself!

[@billjaxin]

An older post but I'll comment for the sake of anyone considering the same thing. Please don't mess with propane tanks, pressure cookers, hot water tanks etc to make a DIY boiler. Don't take my word for that, I don't claim expertise. (Aside from a career as a steam plant operator and a few years in an amateur steam club. That's a relatively low level of knowledge for this.) Check with the expert hobbyists. If you want to build a small hobby boiler, they can steer you in the right direction.

[@cobre7717]

Have you seen all the various boilers on youtube...? This boiler is like the Cadillac of safety as far as youtube boilers go.

[@billjaxin]

KZbin videos aren't exactly a standard to rely on. The gravel outweighs the nuggets.

[@cobre7717]

@@billjaxin paper thin mild steel, Plastic sight glass, soft rosen core solder, all exposed to hot steam under 30psi pressure whats not to love. I agree with you 100 percent. But that tiny speck in the bottom of the bucket of gravel is just soo shiny.

[@billjaxin]

@@cobre7717 right, pressure cookers are built pretty heavily for half that pressure. But it's not just about pressure. It's the wrong material and way too thin for corrosion allowance. Steam corrosion isn't like ordinary rust. It can weaken the metal invisibly, especially stainless. I have a boiler needing to be rebuilt, it came out of a 12 ft steamboat and the shell was rusted out. I have schedule 40 5" seamless pipe to replace the 4" dia original. I would not trust the welding to anyone not certified to weld pressure vessels. Mind you this would operate at well over 100 psi. But even the tiny residual pressure in a pressure cooker, if you force the lid off a bit early, is enough to destroy your face. When water is boiling at higher than atmospheric pressure, it will all vaporize at once if the pressure is suddenly released.

[@jeremyshepard8241]

your plastic hose/sight glass replacement (and the rubber/neoprene gaskets on the "pressure relief valve"(built into the tank) and the original "propane connection" are all very likely to fail under the heat of the boiler/steam. all your connections to the boiler should rated for steam! connections rated for air or water pressure are just not safe enough.... (even when it is low-pressure steam) Please be safe... you are not dealing with a toy..

[@NOBOX7]

bad idea , these things rust.

[@kodysleeves1267]

First random old comment located that I actually recognized a name!😂

[@petechongy]

Seamed tank, plastic tube, unflowed soft soldered joints and you drilled the guage fitment right next to that seam this will blow out when you least expect it use seamless copper and silver solder 45% only. Some good ideas just badly put together.

[@cecilking3727]

The pressure rating on these propane tanks far exceed the anything model steam boilers operate at and that seem your talking about is a bronze brazed seem it's not going anywhere

[@oliverandrews8879]

This still isn't safe you need seamless copper pipe with end plugs that are brazed or silver soldered in

[@cecilking3727]

Copper?no good for boilers to soft

[@jackle3002]

ahhh yeh, you'd want to compare volume. Oz is a measure of mass and yes propane has less density than tomato sauce. hahah. mass = density*Volume.