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[HELP PLEASE] 1930s Obscure/Unique Radiator Identification and Maintenance

gwinkels
gwinkels Member Posts: 2
in Radiant Heating

We have unique radiators in our 1930s Minneapolis craftsman home. Looking for any help identifying it. We want to bleed the radiators but are having a hard time finding info on google so anything will help. Thanks!

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benjamachineapexmech

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872

    Here's your bleeder. Unscrew part way to let air out, when water starts spraying, tighten.

    rad.jpg
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    HeatingHelp.comPC7060Charlie from wmass
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,610

    Its like a rolled up mattress radiator.

    delcrossvCharlie from wmasspugman2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,599

    You never see it all. @gwinkels , are there any names or trademarks on those?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    BRaderCharlie from wmass
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,332

    that's a cutie!

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    gwinkels
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,615

    What Steamhead said.

    Retired and loving it.
    BRader
  • gwinkels
    gwinkels Member Posts: 2
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1820073#Comment_1820073

    where would you suggest looking for names/trademarks? There are none readily visible.

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872
    edited November 2024

    If not on the outside, inside near the bottom. Probably painted over.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    gwinkels
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 895

    WOW really cool. That's all I have. the bleeder has been identified.

    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver

    gwinkels
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 895

    It might have had a riveted makers plate at one point in it's life.

    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver

    gwinkels
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,610

    I wonder how many people have tried to move that before they realized it was a radiator.

    pugman2
  • Greening
    Greening Member Posts: 36

    That is a conversation piece!

    I would consider getting it refinished, making it a centerpiece of the room.

    gwinkelspugman2
  • cowbay
    cowbay Member Posts: 2

    That is very cool. Thanks for sharing this one

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    pugman2
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,713

    It looks like a giant Bourdon Tube. I would strip the paint off. If it doesnt look prettier, then refinish it to make it stand out. An artist would have a field day with it. Clearly, it may be one of a kind!

    PC7060pugman2
  • MarkMurf
    MarkMurf Member Posts: 38

    55 years on the job and have never ! Those are the absolute coolest thing ! And I bet they work great ! Green with envy !

  • ttekushan_3
    ttekushan_3 Member Posts: 962

    I’ve seen photos of that style radiator before, except it was a utilitarian version with that flat coil mounted indirect in a duct. And I thought it was here on heatinghelp a long long LONG time ago. I did a quick scroll through the Heating Museum here but didn’t see it. Maybe it was in a post? Even so, I don’t remember if it was properly identified at that point either.

    Terry T

    steam; proportioned minitube; trapless; jet pump return; vac vent. New Yorker CGS30C

  • Dyingtofly
    Dyingtofly Member Posts: 6

    Suffice it to say, that is a thing of beauty!

  • MarkusH1960
    MarkusH1960 Member Posts: 1
    20241121_082034.jpg

    Probably the most unique I've seen. Originally it was horizontal acting as a duct heater in a heritage house.

    delcrossv
  • TheUpNorthState88
    TheUpNorthState88 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2024

    Reminds me of a Little Debbie Swiss Cake roll lol. Cool radiator! I honestly feel like this was someone’s own unique creation at the time. Maybe even a prototype they installed to see if they could mass market it. Just like with any emerging technology, a bunch of people go into business marketing their ideas around it. Some went on to be some of the most well known brands around. Others faded into history.

    Try and research the original owner, see what you can find out what was his occupation was. Might offer some clues of the origin.

    Lifelong Michigander

    -Willie

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,610
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1821484#Comment_1821484

    That is an indirect radiator, they are fairly common, it is intended to be mounted in a duct under the floor to indirectly heat the room through convection so the radiators are hidden.

    pugman2
  • lowercanada
    lowercanada Member Posts: 14
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/198660/help-please-1930s-obscure-unique-radiator-identification-and-maintenance
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1821425#Comment_1821425

    I wonder if that is better, or worse when it comes to expansion/contraction stresses

  • scott w.
    scott w. Member Posts: 217

    I am wondering if this has a European connection? This being in Minnesota maybe this if from Sweden, Norway or Denmark? Rad looks kinda like one of those old antique stoves that sat in a corner of the room in those countries?

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