What water should I use?

bobg


Further to my promise above in #36, I have now completed my still. If anyone wants further details I will post a full description with more photos. 
 

 Yes please Bob.   On the photo it looks like a picture frame with a photo of some wheely bins inside it and I'd like to have a go at building one.
 
Cheers 

I was beaten by a computer at chess recently - but it was no match for me at kick-boxing.

Sure thing Tom, give me a day or two to sort it out (shrink the piccys etc.) and I'll post it fresh under Live Steam.
 
It's still under test, but whilst the results so far wouldn't set the world on fire (neither would the weather) they could be promising.
(You notice I kept well out of the picture, I might have broken the glass )

You don't have to be mad to play trains on the TVBL....but it helps if you're a little loco!



Being long retired, I've discovered that now I work a lot harder than before, it's just that nobody pays!

What wrong in using tap water and then giving the thing a thorough rinse/clean out with vinegar and plenty of water after use? 
They used to do that years ago and I cannot recollect seeing complaints in magazines (such as there were) of the time.   
Maybe an enquiry of the Model Engineer or local  ME Society will answer the question thoroughly - after all..they have bigger/more expensive  locos to play, with so the answer you get will no doubt be THE one to follow.
 
Come back LBSC all is forgiven!
 
Maybe TAG will comment.

"That democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who will not."

 Thomas Jefferson

I think on this subject it all depends!
I live near MAnchester and the inside of my kettle is as squeeky clean as it was 2 years ago when I baught it, but I still use distilled water.... or rather, water from my de-humidifier which gives me ample amount.
I know people who live locally who recieve the same quality of water who just use tap water on their steamies with no problems. I mean, I have a large scale 5" gauge Polly 1 (google it if your not sure!) and just use water from the tap at my local club, whats the difference? The size! The pipe's, cylinders and nipples are all bigger thus, it can take any bits of rubbish in the water more easily; this isn't to say it doesn't come with its problems. The clack valves can get a bit of muck in them and start to play up, but I will just have to put up this this, the thought of using distilled water in that sends chills through me. You think the 16mm live steamers use a lot of water!

My philosphy is do what you think is best, if you want to use tap water, do it! If you want to use distilled, do it! It all depends on ones geographical location, water quality and bravery!

Daniel: "I'm going to go play with my trains later"
Friend: "We don't Play with trains! We are not children!"
Daniel: "Well I play with trains!"

. . . . or go electric 

"That democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who will not."

 Thomas Jefferson

It has to be the old "Horses for courses" in the end, if tap water with the odd clean-out works for you; go for it. Round here and certainly in parts of London the water is so full of lime a new kettle can fur up almost overnight. In Edinburgh you could use tap water for ever and no problem. Thumper put up that URL, so I thought "why not?", plus there's a bit of Scot in me somewhere and this is FREE (and a bit of fun)!
 
I also tend to take a different view of maintenence, more akin to space shuttle /F1 practice, if the stuff isn't there in the first place, then you don't have to deal with it. Adding acid (vinigar or whatever) will certainly attack the lime but what if you don't put enough in, or too much. Try leaving a small piece if brass in vinigar overnight and see what colour it is tomorrow.
 
I'm afraid it's one of those subjects on which everyone will take a different view, there is no real right or wrong.  Anyone new to it will ask as many people as possible what they do, and then make their own decision based on that, and that's exactly how it should be. 
 
 

You don't have to be mad to play trains on the TVBL....but it helps if you're a little loco!



Being long retired, I've discovered that now I work a lot harder than before, it's just that nobody pays!