Taping a steam main

boiler_man

I've been trying to tap a stem main to add venting so that it heats up quicker (master venting) but although the tap is rated for 1/8 and the black pipe stem I am using to mount the Hoffman 75 is 1/8, I feel as the pipe is a bit loose and I do get some water leaks. Please advise...

Steamhead

Tap it bigger

3/8" minimum. That vent is too heavy for 1/8" pipe to properly support it.

Rod

Tapping a Steam Main

Hi- As Steamhead mentioned, you want to use a larger pipe size. I used 1/2 pipe on the last one I did which size wise, will support 2 Gorton #2s.   If you find things are a bit loose, use some JB Weld  as a fillet around where the pipes join. If you aren't familiar with it, JB Weld is a high temperature epoxy (500deg.F) that can be used on engines and transmissions. Most autoparts stores carry it. It comes in two little tubes which you mix together. Clean and sand both the pipe and around the hole in the main so the epoxy will have good adhesion.

- Rod