All or Nothing Accucraft gas valves

jabsteam · Post by **jabsteam** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 3:50 am

Are there any tricks to re-working an Accucraft gas valve for better control? My 2 are very difficult to adjust - have a roaring jet, turn it down a pinch and the fire is out or a feeble flame. Can the needle be filed a certain way to get better control?

tegfan railway · Post by **tegfan railway** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:54 am

ditto

will watch this thread with interest

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:55 am

I have two things to make them better. I fully unwind and take out the spindle and put a drop of steam oil on the O ring and them make a handle like the steam regulator on Leader. I find I get a much more controlable valve.
Having said that I just oiled Superior and it works suberbly on the existing control knob.

Adam R · Post by **Adam R** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 12:39 pm

A smear of steam oil or light grease on the o ring to make them less likely to spring shut again is a good call.

When you get a feeble flame, try tugging the actual handle out, away from the tank gently, Mine would have a feeble flame, and go out or have everything, I checked the whole system over, and found that the valve is badly made.

try tugging it and see if this resumes correct burn.

I just open it and pull the valve spindle towards the back of the engine and adjust there, I think you are right in the nose of the spindle being an incorrect profile.

spooner · Post by **spooner** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:28 pm

If you wont to change the shape of the needle you will need a lather.

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 3:22 pm

spooner:73884 wrote:If you wont to change the shape of the needle you will need a lather.

Don't get all soaped up - get a lathe!

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 3:37 pm

nice one

Adam R · Post by **Adam R** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 4:17 pm

spooner:73884 wrote:If you wont to change the shape of the needle you will need a lather.

Lathe*

Got 2

Can always do a bit of B. Odjit and S. Carper engineering co, and use a drill, emery and a sheet of glass.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 4:52 pm

But, to accurately profile the spindle, how do you accurately measure the inside taper bore of the regulator?

Mr ACME · Post by **Mr ACME** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:02 am

Narrow Minded:73891 wrote:But, to accurately profile the spindle, how do you accurately measure the inside taper bore of the regulator?

The bore isn't tapered.

I recommended the lubrication mod some years ago and always use Vaseline.

The reason for the problem in the first place is that Butane is an astringent and dries out the ,"O"' ring. A small amount of lube make everything move more easily.

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:31 pm

A small amount of lube make everything move more easily.

Thats what she said

DolwyddelanLightRail · Post by **DolwyddelanLightRail** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:23 pm

DLRdan:73934 wrote:
A small amount of lube make everything move more easily.
Thats what she said

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:12 am

DolwyddelanLightRail:73935 wrote:
DLRdan:73934 wrote:
A small amount of lube make everything move more easily.
Thats what she said
:lol:

OK, guys, look. There are these things called "girls"... They can sense a sense of humour like this coming a mile away, and that's why they never seem to be around. I know, I know, I might as well be talking about leprechauns.

AFGadd · Post by **AFGadd** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:45 am

Hi,

Although my experience of "Small" live steam is still limited, I do have something to add to this thread.

Experience with small live steam might be limited but my experience with live steam dates thirty five years!
One thing I've always sworn by is "Graphite Grease", as explained to me years ago by a wonderful gentleman who had been a steam fitter since World War One!
"Pop", as we all called him, made his "apprentices" use Graphite Grease on virtually every steam joint. He said that if you needed to use a jointing compound, then you should take a look at the joint!!!
Back to the subject, Pop explained that the use of Graphite Grease over normal Grease was that at steam temperatures Grease would quickly dissipate leaving behind the Graphite until the joint (or whatever) was disassembled.
Over the years I came to realize the Pop was right, and I use Graphite Grease on my 16mm locos for every joint or thread.

And yes, its works very well on the Gas Valve thread & O ring as well.

Finally, to better adjustment on a Accucraft Gas Valve, I also built a new handle to fit the valve spindle, this coupled with the Graphite Grease works superbly...

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:02 am

Could someone perhaps make a video of this? Would hate to dear up my gas tank...:/

jabsteam · Post by **jabsteam** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:33 am

I took the gas valve stems out of my 2 engines and rubbed steam oil all over the o ring. Now the valve work great! Much easier to make minute adjustments, and the valve stays at the adjustment made. Thank you for the tip!

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All or Nothing Accucraft gas valves

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