joining steam radiator segments
varmint
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
A friend just gave me a large (17 segments) old cast iron steam radiator. We split it into two pieces to move it, and now I want to join the very last segment to the first 9, making a 10 segment radiator. It’s a low pressure, one-pipe system, with a steam vent on that last section, which should work fine, since it’s almost identical with all the other radiators on the system, but I want to know what to use to seal the joint where I am joining segments? Four rods mechanically hold the segments together, but I don’t want any leaks… Thanks, jkm101
Replies
I don,t remember the generic name for white pipe jointing compound or 'pipe dope' in the US, in England its 'Boss white' anyhow that and hemp strands will work fine.
Edited 6/5/2002 3:10:01 PM ET by STEVE_T
Thanks- I had considered pipe dope, and I suppose a dose of dope will work... The sections have a machined sleeve on one side, and a corresponding female opening, also machined, on the other, so they make a pretty good joint as is. They were stuck together orginally with something that looks like shellac, but who knows?
If you ever want to get it apart again, the pipe dope is probably your best bet (Something like Rector-seal). As long as the machining is still a good tight fit on the push nipple, that's what I'd use.
I've also had good luck using JB-Weld (a heat resistant epoxy, check an auto supply store) on cast iron radiators, but that's permanent.