kurtvd19

Greg:
I have used the same technique and steps for several years - except I use Birchwood Casey Brass Black - and the heated Sparex is a world changer.  One place to get the little croc pots cheaply is the local Goodwill or similar store.  They always seem to have one or more for $3-$5.  I have 2 spares on hand in case the current one burns out.
Kurt

The next step was to create the bulkhead on the lower platform.   This was laser cut.   All I had to do was cut some 1/8" x 1/8" strips to simulate the vertical beams.  I just cut them to length and glued them on.   Now this piece may not actually fit your model perfectly.   There are just too many variables.   It all depends on where you placed that first platform beam.   It also depends on how you faired the interior of the hull.  But I sure it could be tweaked in most instances.   If you had to, you could use this as a starting point template to make another.  It isnt very difficult to do.
 

This is a picture of the bulkhead glued in position.  It is glued on the forward side of that first platform beam.   The templates are there to help me during the next step.   I will be adding the carlings and ledges.  They can be taken right from these templates which are on the plans.  
 

Here is a photo of the ledges and carlings completed.  These will support the scuttle lids once planking is finished.  I plan on planking the entire platforms.  I think it will make creating the various cabins a lot easier.
 

Planking is underway with 5/16" x 3/64" cedar strips.  I am not too concerned about getting up close to the sides of the hull.  Depending on how fairing went, this could sometimes lead to a weird shape along the edge of the platform.   So I concentrated on making a nice shape with the outer edge of the platform deck planking since the sides of the hull inboard will not be planked.  I am getting close to the side though and creating a consistent shape port and starboard.  It will be impossible to see the sides of this planking when done.  Once I get this done I will add the metal work (eyebolts with rings) for those scuttle lids.   Then its onto the two aft platforms which are done in a very similar way.   Also note the two cut-outs for the legs of the riding bitts.   The planks were cut so I could slip the riding bits down into those slots...hopefully!!!
 

Somebody asked to see a wider shot of the hull with the depth gauge in position.   So here is a picture of the hull all dusty after finishing the planking on those forward platforms.  Dont hesitate to ask me any questions.  
 

Slitting blades were what was supplied for the old PREAC Saw and it is limited to 3 inch (max) saw blades.  Slitting blades have no offset to the teeth so it's easy to pick your blade thickness to match the width of a slot (or stacking to get a specific width). 
I got away from slitting blades except in rare cases as I have found some carbide blades that work great for my work - and they don't get hot and bind up.
Kurt

Slitting blades were what was supplied for the old PREAC Saw and it is limited to 3 inch (max) saw blades.  Slitting blades have no offset to the teeth so it's easy to pick your blade thickness to match the width of a slot (or stacking to get a specific width). 
I got away from slitting blades except in rare cases as I have found some carbide blades that work great for my work - and they don't get hot and bind up.
Kurt

Slitting blades were what was supplied for the old PREAC Saw and it is limited to 3 inch (max) saw blades.  Slitting blades have no offset to the teeth so it's easy to pick your blade thickness to match the width of a slot (or stacking to get a specific width). 
I got away from slitting blades except in rare cases as I have found some carbide blades that work great for my work - and they don't get hot and bind up.
Kurt

Peerless might not have had expansion loops in her steam piping.  The need for expansion loops is dependent on a number of factors; the stiffness of the pipe itself, the steam temperature, the length of the piping runs, and the arrangement of the piping.  Changes in direction inherent in delivering steam to the engines add flexibility to the piping.  The pipe itself becomes exponentially stiffer as it’s diameter increases.  Your piping is small in diameter and since Peerless is a small vessel the piping run is short.  Prior to the availability of CAD linked computerized analysis programs, piping system flexibility calculations were very tedious involving trial and error solution of multiple simultaneous linear equations, challenging for most engineers let alone riverbank Steamship constructors
 
SS Meteor built in 1896 is the World’s only surviving Steamship built to a patented Whaleback Design.  While her historic significance has been reduced by changes made over her long working  life, her Scotch Boiler/ Triple Expansion Steam Engine propulsion plant is a remarkably well preserved example of late Nineteenth Century Marine Engineering.
 
Two fire tube boilers delivered saturated steam to the engine at 170psi, typical for the period.  The single short, 10in diameter main steam line was fitted with a flanged slip joint expansion fitting that eliminated the need for an expansion loop.  This would have been a patented fitting supplied by an outside vendor to the shipyard.  Fittings like this would have been available to Peerless’s builders as well.  Photo below:
 
Roger
 

 
 

Possibly Eric.  I do know that I have observed drain valves in steam piping systems to rid the lines of water where the Engineer could reach over, crack the valve and blow out any water. 

Eric:
The walled off areas alongside the stairs was for coal storage.  I have seen photographs of coal in burlap bags being carried onto boats.  Sometimes on backs or shoulders and also in wheelbarrows.  If building the Chaperon today, and not for a magazine deadline, I would absolutely insulate to top area of the boilers.  Most photos I have of steam engines and their steam pipes don't show insulation on the pipes or the engines.  Back then the fuel was cheap and conserving fuel or steam wasn't much of a concern.
Kurt

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

Possibly Eric.  I do know that I have observed drain valves in steam piping systems to rid the lines of water where the Engineer could reach over, crack the valve and blow out any water. 

Eric:
The walled off areas alongside the stairs was for coal storage.  I have seen photographs of coal in burlap bags being carried onto boats.  Sometimes on backs or shoulders and also in wheelbarrows.  If building the Chaperon today, and not for a magazine deadline, I would absolutely insulate to top area of the boilers.  Most photos I have of steam engines and their steam pipes don't show insulation on the pipes or the engines.  Back then the fuel was cheap and conserving fuel or steam wasn't much of a concern.
Kurt

Just messing with it seeing actually how small a piece I can do.  Dam good to me anyway.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

Eric:
The walled off areas alongside the stairs was for coal storage.  I have seen photographs of coal in burlap bags being carried onto boats.  Sometimes on backs or shoulders and also in wheelbarrows.  If building the Chaperon today, and not for a magazine deadline, I would absolutely insulate to top area of the boilers.  Most photos I have of steam engines and their steam pipes don't show insulation on the pipes or the engines.  Back then the fuel was cheap and conserving fuel or steam wasn't much of a concern.
Kurt

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

There will be an announcement made here on MSW when the business reopens.  Donna has asked that people do not call or email until then.
 

Possibly Eric.  I do know that I have observed drain valves in steam piping systems to rid the lines of water where the Engineer could reach over, crack the valve and blow out any water. 

Possibly Eric.  I do know that I have observed drain valves in steam piping systems to rid the lines of water where the Engineer could reach over, crack the valve and blow out any water. 

Eric:
The walled off areas alongside the stairs was for coal storage.  I have seen photographs of coal in burlap bags being carried onto boats.  Sometimes on backs or shoulders and also in wheelbarrows.  If building the Chaperon today, and not for a magazine deadline, I would absolutely insulate to top area of the boilers.  Most photos I have of steam engines and their steam pipes don't show insulation on the pipes or the engines.  Back then the fuel was cheap and conserving fuel or steam wasn't much of a concern.
Kurt

Eric:
The walled off areas alongside the stairs was for coal storage.  I have seen photographs of coal in burlap bags being carried onto boats.  Sometimes on backs or shoulders and also in wheelbarrows.  If building the Chaperon today, and not for a magazine deadline, I would absolutely insulate to top area of the boilers.  Most photos I have of steam engines and their steam pipes don't show insulation on the pipes or the engines.  Back then the fuel was cheap and conserving fuel or steam wasn't much of a concern.
Kurt