Best Of
Re: Rococo Dining Room Radiator Install- Why Are These So Rare?
The tall "transition sections" have a plug facing outward. When the plug is removed, the left/right nipple connecting it to the small section can be accessed and tightened. Am I making sense? The whole thing assembles with left/right threaded nipples tightened with an internal wrench. @mattmia2
The two transition sections also have only two columns, which promotes steam distribution between the small and tall sections.
Re: steam vs vapor system
yes but be careful, sometimes you have to bump it up a little for it to reliably cutin, make sure you are really sure it is reliably cutting in at the low setting before you leave it unattended for a while.
mattmia2
Re: steam vs vapor system
My vapor system was installed in around 2001-2002 with advice from Noel Murdough (RIP) & Steamhead. I installed 2 1/2" mains. It's all one pipe except the Two pipe Bundy with the loop seal. Runs on around 10 ounces of steam vapor. Mad Dog
Re: steam vs vapor system
Actually, my partner @Gordo does those videos. I'm rarely in them, we don't want the camera to break.
Re: New boiler - pipe noise / surging
Have you made final payment? If you have, probably not much leverage for anything.
If you have not, tell them you want it in writing from the manufacturer that the undersized header is approved by them, or you won’t make final payment.
They literally do not get an opinion on this one, so make it clear you aren’t accepting that. The manufacturer decides the proper header size not the installer.
$100.00 says they sized the boiler wrong too.
KC_Jones
Re: What do you think the future of our industry looks like?
Hi, It's common knowledge that the trades don't pay very well, especially for new employees. A path towards getting new blood into the trades would be to teach financial skills along with the tech skills. Although financial literacy is being taught now in schools, getting this sort of education along with business skills and hopefully mentoring all together could make the trades a more attractive choice.
Often, people are scared of self-employment. There are lots of unknowns, but a decent business plan and some support along the way can make is less scary. Right now, being in the trades is one of those opportunities everybody's running away from, but might be worth running towards it, if properly prepared.
Finally, it's good to know a little bit of everything, but gooder to focus in one area. I read @clammy 's post and remember thinking years ago, I'm wearing my body out. What work can I do that isn't so damaging? Water heaters usually live in okay places, so why not work on those? That was part of my deciding to focus on hot water, and it's kept me busy for over 45 years. I think there are ways of making the trades more attractive. We know college isn't for everybody. There are lots of visual and tactile learners out there. What tools do we have to make trades work attractive to them?
Yours, Larry
Re: steam vs vapor system
In addition the boiler should be sized to that 80% or so that they are designed to fill the emitters and a more realistic pickup factor should be used rather than the large 30% baked in to the boiler ratings and that will make the pressure a lot easier to control or possibly even self limiting.
mattmia2
Re: What do you think the future of our industry looks like?
Having a couple of grade school age kids, STEM is pretty light on technology. Particularly as it would relate to the skilled trades.
My kids learn those skills at home.
