smoke box material in A-3 1-1/2 scale

[kwoodhands]

For those of you that have built the A-3 in 1-1/2 scale and have reached the boiler and smoke box stage,what material is the smoke box made from? The reason I ask is on page 230 the text calls for brass instead of copper. The text seems clear 1/8" thick brass for the shell.
I understand the ring should be brass,I'm thinking brass for the shell may be a typo.
I'm considering starting on the A-3 in 1-1/2 scale by building the boiler first.I have built this locomotive in 3/4 scale that runs on air.
I failed at building a good boiler, I'd like to try again. If I can build a boiler that pressure tests correctly I'll build the locomotive.
mike

[kvom]

Both my boiler and smokebox are steel tube. If you do build the boiler be aware of the fact that the steam dome is in the wrong position in the 1.5 scale drawing. My smokebox is not clamped to the boiler, but is a sliding fit, allowing the boiler to expand when hot.

I would also rethink the throttle arrangement and go with the more common approach of having the throttle reach rod through the backhead rather than over the top of the boiler. The needle valve system Kozo uses for 3/4 scale is not recommended (at least by builders I talk to), and as well having the throttle bar behind the turret is very awkward for a ride-on tender.

[kwoodhands]

I'm aware of the steam dome issue. If I build the boiler then I'll print out all the mistakes and other pertinent info.
If I could weld I might consider steel construction for the boiler.Has to be a lot less money for materials.I'm getting better at hard soldering so I will stick to brass and copper.
I have successfully hard soldered 1018 for various things,nothing as large as a boiler.
thanks,mike