Using my head (for a change)

Eric Johnson

Thanks to basic information about radiator design that I learned on The Wall:

Last weekend I tackled a project I’ve been putting off for a couple of years, maybe longer. My wife has been after me to get rid of an old ci radiator in the greenhouse that froze up before we bought the house. I didn’t realize it was shot until I tried to pressure it up. Oh well. Anyway, it must weigh 300 pounds. So I disconnected it and laid it down in the corner, figuring that all that cast iron would make a pretty good plant stand and heat sink. Guy thing. But no sale with the Mrs.

So, I tried to move it by hand, but (in a rare moment of rational thought) figured I’d just wind up hurting myself or damaging something. Then it occurred to me that since cast iron rads are put together in sections, this one ought to come apart the same way. I cut the metal rods that hold everything together with a Sawzall and pried cast the sections apart with a big iron prybar. Nothing to it. At six cents a pound for scrap, that’s a case of decent beer.

I love cast iron rads and it always makes me sad to see them tossed, but this one is full of holes. I thought about trying to salvage a few push nipples. Think that's worth the effort? Here's a pic.