Stay bolt beading tool
 

I am in need of a beading / caulking tool No. 166 as per Pacific Railway drawing, to template No. 166, see attachments.
Has anyone got such a tool or know the whereabouts of one to buy, borrow or rent. Perhaps those in the preserved railway repair game may be able to help.

Regards Charlie

I asked on national preservation some years ago now, and nobody seemed to know what I was talking about :( The railways here in Australia used an identical tool, and I can tell you they work a treat. I had some and gave them away, One well-known boilermaker here had a batch reverse engineered and made from memory- doesn't help I know, but if you do come across some I for one would be interested. I also asked in a US preservation forum, and the general consensus was that they used a different tool and these were only used in large construction shops. Most railways formed the head by "Merry go rounding" using a rotary snap attachment as they put it- there is a Youtube video but I can't remember the title.

Ian

I have put the same request on the Smokestack USA site, if I have any luck I will keep you posted.

Regards Charlie

I also have the drawings for this type of snap, and have the staybolt riveting machines, the snaps used have a hexagonal shank behind 1.217" standard snap shank so they can be rotated by the machine whilst forming the head.

If you need more info contact me.

John White

There is a YouTube video which shows this process. The video documents the building and installation of a copper firebox into a railway boiler, I think somewhere in Switzerland. Ring any bells with anybody - I will look for it.

Cheers Carl.

Try this one:-

https://www.dfb.ch/index.php?id=1780&L=0

There may be other videos from the same boiler works. Look at just after 13 minutes in.

Cheers Carl.