Does anyone know where to find

DanHolohan

Thanks.

Steamhead

Dan, that looks an awful lot

like the stem you see inside a standard loose-key bleeder. If it is, all we'd have to do is remove the old one and install a new one.

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DanHolohan

I'm helping

a woman in Connecticut with this. She hasn't been able to find them at any supply house and they are off old radiators. That's what has me wondering. I've asked her to show me a photo of what they screw into. We'll see. Thanks, Frank.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

is it about 0.915 inches long (abt 29/32)?

I removed a few before finding one that had the same number of threads and (appeared) the same proportion.

It was off an unused American Rococo and the bleeder is deeper than those I find now as it was installed RIGHT above the upper plug and had to project beyond.

Sorry, but I find no markings on the bleeder.

I should be able to scrounge up a few (complete) if needed for that "projection" reason.

DanHolohan

Here's another photo

DanHolohan

Here's the other photo

Thanks.

DanHolohan

Here's the other photo

Thanks.

DanHolohan

And she says,

"It's set right on the side of the accordian heater.
you need needle nose pliers to get it out."

Steamhead

\"Accordian Heater\"?

Could she be talking about a really old, really rare radiator such as a "flue" type?

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Doubt they're uncommon but here's photo of what I believe is a match. I believe they're nickel plated brass.

Can't seem to find similar new ones though.

p.s. Looks like someone has [tried] using needle-nosed pliers to remove this one.

DanHolohan

I think

just sectional, Frank. She has a colorful way of writing.

DanHolohan

So,

is she out of luck with the old radiators?

Any suggestions anyone?

Robert O'Connor_4

Am I missing something

Why doesn't she just replace the entire bleeder assembly? Shouldn't cost more than a few dollars plus a service call?

Regards,

Robert

chuck shaw

By the hundreds

Dan,

My local supply house has what I call coin air vents by the 100's. Using an adjustable wrench she can remove them. Add a little (very little) pipe dope and put them back in. The also sell the keys to open and close them. How many do you need? I think they run about 50 cents each, and the key is a quater. I can have them in the mail to you tommrow morining.

Chuck

DanHolohan

I think

that little piece actually screws into her radiators, Chuck. It's not part of a key vent. Not positive about this but that's what I'm getting from her. Thanks, as always.

DanHolohan

I don't know

for sure what she's got here, Robert. Thanks.

Dennis - Reliable Services

Are they for

a restoration project? Why not just replace the entire bleeder with the newer low quality ones made in China that all the supply houses sell.
If she is really desperate, I have a yard full of old rads some dating back to about 1860, I'll take some bleeders off and send them to you.

P.S. if she looks around the back leg of the radiator or in that crack under the baseboard, she'll probably find the stem she dropped.

tim smith1

key valve stem.

If it is specific to that radiator and regular key valves won't work, Take it to a machine shop and they could turn one out of key stock material I'm sure.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

That one I posted in the photo sure looks like a dead match. Believe I can come up with a few more if needed.

Dale

Time for a change

After watching this post for awhile I would drill out what's there and tap to accept a normal pipe thread vent. It is fun to find old exact replacements but sometimes the bullet must be bitten. I wonder if the old rad had a replaceable seat? Even if you could find the stem which is the needle how would it work with the old seat.