tapping a 2nd vent in radiator

archibald tuttle

or is that we automative hacks, put grease on the drill and tap to collect the cuttings. Works so so on the drill, but great on the tap.

I tend to agree though that either tapping out to a 1/4 inch, or when you consider the effective size of the vent opening an 1/8 inch tee and two vents - maybe not as beautiful but simple.

I test this by putting an 1/8th inch ball valve on the existing outlet and just opening it until I get steam. Or I just take the valve off and leave the hole open until steam and then put it on in a hurry or shut off the main valve to protect my fingers and then put it back on.

Brian

huck_3

is it easy?

I haven't seen a special drill bit, or whatever the right tool is, for drilling threads to add a 1/8th varivalve radiator vent. I want to add a 2nd vent to a large radiator in my sunroom that only heats halfway.

This radiator is only one of three radiators on the short run of main from the boiler. I have added Gorton #2's to the other two longer runs of main and now the system is pretty well balanced. There is no main vent location on this short run of main to this insufficiently heated rad. (although below the short run main is a return pipe with an old vent)

I'm thinking I can just drill another hole and add a second vent to help this radiator get 'out with the cold air, in with the hot...' please review how to 'tap' and do they sell these 'tapping' tools anywhere?

thanks for your thoughts

Brad White_9

Rocket Science is Easy

if you are a Rocket Scientist Same for brain and cardiac surgery....

Sure! Done all the time. Just get the proper size pilot drill bit and tap size, some lubricant and have at it. Go slowly and for CI do not back out the tapping until you are done. Clearing the chips can chip the finer threads. Practice on some scrap cast iron if you have any, an old sink, chastity belt or a certifiably already dead radiator.

I suspect your core question may need a better response, such as a different vent type rather than another. Maybe instead of a 1/8" IPS tapping a 1/4" tapping may accommodate a larger vent. There may even be a more appropriate 1/8" vent that will do, assuming that is the tapping size you already have.

I imagine a nice huge Gorton vent tree with a little radiator attached to it...

archibald tuttle

us automotive hacks