Axeman-Anderson Anthratube 260M Disection

I made a trial installation of some of the new or repaired parts to make sure they would work correctly.

I installed the new gratepan rollers and hooked up the grate 'shaker' bellcrank that GregWhite rebuilt for me. I also hooked up the ratchet mechanism that actuates the bellcrank.

The handle of the ratchet mechanism had a lot of slop in it's pivot pin, so I drilled out the bores, and replaced the 1/2" pin with a 9/16" pin.

I'll do some sandblasting on the parts soon and start the painting process.

greg L

Greg, relating to our previous discussion on corrosion protective coatings:

http://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/pubs/tm584c.pdf
http://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/pubs/3221-69.pdf

This is interesting information based on exposure to an extreme salt environment in 100% humidity (AKA the Florida Coast!).

Thanks Matt, I still haven't decided on which paint I'm going to use. I'm going to buy a needle-scaler tomorrow and then dig out the sandblaster. Between the two I'll see how bad the steel really is. I think either of my paint options will work well. And I own both of them allready!

My building is pretty dry, so I don't think I'll have much continuing corrosion, I just need to seal off the surfaces. The old location was from what you guys said, pretty much a swamp!!

Greg L.

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One more interesting twist to the mix, nansulate paint that actually retains heat better than normal paint! Of course using what is on hand is best price option!

http://www.nansulate.com/thermal_insulation_data.htm

Have fun with the blasting and scaling effort, I have done over 12 sq. ft. since yesterday morning. Ohhhhhh my aching back.

I've been grinding, welding, fitting, and finally painting the base for the boiler. I took it out to the boiler room to postion it and see just how level my concrete floor was. I will only need to raise one end of the base by about 1/2". Not too bad.

I did a trial assembly to check fit and auger tube dimensions for the coal bin that will be in the back right corner of the boiler room. In the photo I have already removed the motor and fan mount. But I did have the whole drive mechanism installed an running.

Forum member europachris stopped by on his way to a business meeting, and we ran the boiler's motor and mechanisms... it is pretty 'energetic' !! I'd say the auger rotates at around 20-40 rpm. [EDIT: it's about 15 rpm] Much faster than I had expected. It was quite interesting to watch all the rollers follow ecentrics, move levers, click over ratchet teeth, move the grate back and forth.

I hope to get a coat of paint on the boiler itself this weekend and get the unit in place and maybe even plumbed by Nov 3rd or 4th.

Chris found the serial number and date stamped on the end of the boiler: it was built in 1950.... the boiler is older than I am. No wonder it needed so much rebuilding!!

Greg L

LsFarm wrote: Chris found the serial number and date stamped on the end of the boiler: it was built in 1950.... the boiler is older than I am. No wonder it needed so much rebuilding!!
Greg L

No kidding! I thought *I* had a project with my Keystoker rebuild. HAH! At least mine didn't require fabrication of new parts and "skin grafts" to rebuild corroded and worn away steel!

Nevertheless, I'm sure you are going to be totally "stoked" when you fire it up the first time and make some heat! Good thing it's in your outbuilding, as that thing will be pretty noisy, I'm guessing, even with a new motor or new bearings in the existing motor. Just the coal clanking around in the auger tube will be pretty noisy.

I picked up my Simpson PelletVent PRO today and choked at the $$$$, but it's sure some sweet stuff. It plugs right onto the DV unit and will really make for a clean (and safe) setup. Got a nice discount on it from the local shop, so I can't complain. Hope to hack the hole in the concrete this weekend and get the unit all hooked up and ready to make some heat.

Chris

LsFarm wrote:I'd say the auger rotates at around 20-40 rpm.

Chris found the serial number and date stamped on the end of the boiler: it was built in 1950.... the boiler is older than I am. No wonder it needed so much rebuilding!!

Rumour has it you can reduce its speed by 1/2 and it will run fine, it is just beating itself up at that speed.

Hey watch that, I was built in '50 too.

That monster is looking good now!

Well it's painted, and moved into it's designated location. I had to make new feet for the base because the original ones were rusted away, and the floor in my building is not very level.

The boiler is now level, and bolted to the floor. I had to leave more room between the boiler and the wall than I wanted to, but I have to have room to work on the boiler, auger, plumbing, and the electronic controls.

The coal bin will be in the back right corner, I'll build the bin around the Pex pipe where it goes through the wall.

Next: Plumbing and building the bin, wiring and the chimney install.

Greg L

Well Greg She is looking Pretty
Alot Prettier then She looked when we
Pulled her out of her first home

Greg, it looks like you need another tractor.

Actually I have another 'farm' tractor for running the Hay equipment. It's a JohnDeere 2630, a 70HP farm/utility tractor. Good unit. I have other farm tracked and wheeled pieces. I use them all. I'm gonna start another thread on this subject.

Greg.

Looks nice and clean you did what I wanted to do but just ran out of time. oh well next year.

Big difference, U235, your's is making HEAT !! I've a lot of head scratching to do to get it plumbed in with the other coal boiler, so the current boiler can stay in 'standby'.

I didn't do the original plumbing with the idea of adding an additional boiler. so a lot of pipes and runs need to be moved.... More decisions and cut/fit etc.

Your statement of burning what 8 tons of coal really excites me. I burned double that last year, learning, experimenting etc. with my current boiler.

Greg L.

That boiler is almost as purty as the pile of coal!

Greg,
Looking good ,just in the nick of time too! Snow next week.
GW