Removing plugs and bushings from cast iron radiators.

Dave Stroman

For less than $100 investment at Harbor Freight Tools I pick up a 1" socket set and a breaker bar. I pulled all the plugs and bushing out of 3 radiators without any chiseling. Had to use a cheater, but they all came out. These were even steam radiators so there was no lack of rust inside. I thought the bar was going to break first, but it held up. I air tested them and they are all off the the sand blaster tomorrow.


Dave in Denver

Mike T., Swampeast MO

GREAT for you!

Any shots of you jumping on the cheater bar? That's my usual resort when they're particularly stubborn.

Constantin

Reminds me of...

.... my dad coming to this country with his beloved twin-axle, hydraulic trailer. Naturally, no trailer hitch here fit the bill (yet another metric vs. imperial conflict). So, he found something close, and made it fit with a 6 foot bar and a lot of umpf (he's a big guy).

Afterwards, the hitch ball was hot enough to keep a coffee warm or burn your hand on. Not sure what that did for the strength of the whole setup, but I suppose that's what safety chains are for.

Bob_36

Removing valve fittings

Hi Dave, I'm doing the same thing with some rads in my house. My question is, what do you use to remove the rad ends of the steam valves? I used a spud wrench in some of them, but in others the nubs on the inside sheared off. Now I'm wondering what to use. Do I try to sawz-all from the inside, or drill a hole through and insirt a rod as a pry bar. Any idea? Thanks.

John Felciano

Cut um

sawzall the nipple flush with the radiator than use a little jab saw to cut the material left,just be carefull not to cut into the treads of the radiator.An old screwdriver tapped between the nipple and the radiator will pop the piece out.Sometimes a couple cuts will work better.

You can also try useing an easy-out after you've cut the nipple flush.Just be carefull not to crack the radiator.

Matt Undy

What about an impact wrench? They do the pounding for you. I suppose it is more likely to crack the CI than the breaker bar. A pneumatic impact wrench is my favorite tool for things that just won't turn. An air chisel is my second favorite.

Matt

paul lessard_3

save the radiators!!!!

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bob_34

radiator nipples

have tried alot of methods over the years and found the easiest method is to cut the brass in 2 places-- say at 6 and 8 o'clock and use a makita 9.6 volt sawzall with fine blade [incredibly well balanced little tool]. leave a little brass sticking out so you can tap the edge of the piece between 6 and 8 with a small chisel and everything comes out easily after that. the key of course is to not quite cut the nipple down through to the threads. the chisel will break that last little part free that is left before you hit the threads on the cut. good luck.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

You could also just remove the reducing bushing (union spud and all) and replace the bushing. You probably won't find any of the decorative bushings and will have to replace with plain black iron.