3-D Printing Hoffman #7 Steam Radiator Valve Handles

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3-D Printing Hoffman #7 Steam Radiator Valve Handles

Hoffman has not made this steam radiator valve since the 1930s. 3-D printing is used to create this otherwise obsolete part.

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Controlsgirl

Why did they stop making this valve?

Grallert

The market for these valve is now only the service market. There was a time these were being installed on a regular basis across the country. Those days are gone along with most of the companies that made the equipment. unfortunate for the folks taking care of these systems.

Controlsgirl

I have them on all of my radiators in my home and none of the radiators have steam traps. The boiler guy wants to rip them all out, use normal valves and add steam traps...

KC_Jones

Controlsgirl said:

I have them on all of my radiators in my home and none of the radiators have steam traps. The boiler guy wants to rip them all out, use normal valves and add steam traps...

What is his reasoning? Are they broken?

Gordo

@Controlsgirl : In general, the Hoffman #7 valve can be successfully rebuilt to full functionality (I humbly direct your kind attention to my videos on the topic). If they are properly adjusted, and with a Vaporstat on your boiler, you theoretically do not need steam traps.

Controlsgirl

@KC_Jones a mix of issues. New boulder installed. 3 of the 4 radiators upstairs werent working bc I messed them up. New boiler...that and there are no traps. Thank god for the YouTube videos. 2 of the three radiators are now working and the 3rd one should be working tonight.

gerry gill

Very cool indeed Gordo!!

Controlsgirl

I loved his videos on these! I was able to restore 10 valves of mine that were stuck and inoperable. And now I use them all of the time. I am still missing about 6 handles though! I need to make sure I have a rag or oven mitt without the handle. They get hott!

garfieldsimons

They make a wax for casting that can be printed. No need to design a mold.

Gordo

@Controlsgirl : Please PM me.
I should be able to have handles for you.

PEvans

@Gordo what about other valve handles? I have the ones pictured below all over my house and I'm missing probably 2-3 handles. I don't know the manufacturer (maybe Watts?). Even though these are probably common valves, I have not found replacement handles anywhere!

fentonc

Odd brackets and handles really are where home 3D printing shines - I've made all kinds of random house widgets with mine (including a steam radiator valve handle at my previous house)

Gordo

@PEvans: Replacement radiator handles for the valves in your pictures are more or less available as after-market kits.
They are generally made of phenolic resin with a stamped metal insert of various sizes to accommodate different size square stems.

SlowYourRoll

great work Gordo