Question about Smokebox kit

I haven’t got Kit 3 yet, but I have been reading the instructions that Dean kindly sent me to look at, before the kit arrives.

Can someone please explain why some of the bolts are made of copper ?

Thanks very much.

milford59 wrote:I haven’t got Kit 3 yet, but I have been reading the instructions that Dean kindly sent me to look at, before the kit arrives.

Can someone please explain why some of the bolts are made of copper ?

Thanks very much.

The copper rivets are for connecting the chimney base collar to the top of the smoke box, because of the radius these rivets will need to be bent to match the profile of the base.
Do not panic you put the rivets in then using a soft faced hammer to persuade them into place the soft copper making the task easier.
Simon C

Thank you very much Simon - I expect it will be become clear once I actually get the kit

The threads on the copper rivets are very soft especially after a few steamings. When I went to change the chimney base on the aggi I noticed that the threads on two bolts were effectively stripped. I made up new dome headed bolts from mild steel by putting a standard bolt of similar size in a cordless drill and holding it against a grinder until the head is rounded. I then bolted the base down with them and to finish off used the rivet dolly for the wheels to give it a good wack so it seats properly & then finally tighten it up. The other worry I had is when the engine is cold and one is moving it about on the rally field people offer to help and their first place to push the engine is by pushing from the chimney! those copper bolts are very weak. I've done this on the crane engine as well and put the copper bolts in the glory box.

Thanks very much Steve - that is certainly a plan to consider.

Before you beef up the rivets in the chimney base ask yourself the question.
Is it better to replace a copper rivet or replace a bottom casting and if the casting doesn't brake then worse still the chimney could get bent.
The muppets will still want to help so keep it as muppet friendly as possible is my suggestion.
Simon C

My chimney on Crystal is still the original copper and she was pushed around by the chimney before the roof went on.

The Chimney base was successfully fitted this evening using the copper rivet bolts, which were “persuaded” into place by judiciously whacking them with the soft hammer.

Here's my smokebox and chimney base. I have painted them with Rustoleum VHT paint, which is good for 750 degrees.
It's actually a bit more satin than it appears in the picture.

Here is my chimney. I am not going to attach it yet.