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How to dissasemble radiator

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Luv'nsteam
Luv'nsteam Member Posts: 278
in Strictly Steam
And remove a few sections for less EDR?



Also, being setup for hot water and my system being steam, I need to add an air vent.  In stead of drilling and tapping a port for this purpose, can I just use the factory bung?  It is lower than it should be, but I was wondering about raising it up with a nipple to the desired height of around 2/3rds of the way up the radiator.  Will this work?



Picture on right, just in front of orange strap, on center column, you can see the screw that is in the factory bung (it looks like a brown or black smudge). 



Thank you,



Mike

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited April 2010
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    That radiator

    which looks like an American "Rococo", is put together with threaded nipples rather than push nipples. These will be very difficult if not impossible to take apart. Ask me how I know that.



    Your best bet would be to use it where that amount of EDR is needed, or maybe trade it for a smaller one.



    The air vent location is correct for that radiator.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Luv'nsteam
    Luv'nsteam Member Posts: 278
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    American Radiator Co.

    Is embossed in the end casting.  Regardless, I hear you loud and clear, but I am still curious how it comes apart.  If it physically fits where I need it to, maybe I will leave it alone.  However, I have been searching for nearly six months for fancy Victorian radiators and have only found five that are reasonably priced.  All are to large: they range from a couple sections to big up to about twelve sections to big.  And I cannot bring myself to scrap the removed sections of the incredibly too large rads, so those I will resell (anyone interested, please contact me using the contact user info under my user name). 



    Anymore information, steamhead?



    I am glad the vent hole is in the correct location, though.



    Thank you,

    Mike
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    Where are you located?

    Maybe someone has some they'd be willing to trade. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
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    How about...

    ...keeping the radiator in tact and downsizing your air vent?
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    downrating radiator

    i think that changing the height of the air vent could down-rate the capacity of the rad, by virtue of the fact that the steam is lighter than air [hope I've got that right]. if more air remains inside the radiator because of the different vent height, then it would radiate less heat.

    alternatively, a TRV could moderate the output, or an attractive old carpet, draped over could cut the radiation.--nbc
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    The lower bung as you call it is the vent tap

    This is where the seam vent is meant for these radiators for steam. no need to repipe. Use a TRV or slow vent if the radiator is only a bit too small. The older HB Smith radiators had an internal draw rod. I am always scared of destroying a perfectly good radiator by dismantling them. If it has the internal draw rods the pu8sh nipples will most likely need replaced to reseal the sections.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Luv'nsteam
    Luv'nsteam Member Posts: 278
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    I am located in

    Eastern PA.  Travel to get what I need is not out of the question and I will consider any option on its own merit.  I would consider buying outright, as well.



    Each application has unique issues: rad needed for attic has physical space limitations, as it will be piped into a dormer alcove.  Two small rooms only require 6 to 10 EDR and this just isn't much.  And the few radiators I have found, almost this size, are still around 20 to 30 EDR and are tube type, which I am trying to avoid.



    Downsizing the vent could work, but in my brain it is too far from a good solution.  If I need to control heat output because it has too many sections, etc, I would use a TRV.



    Charlie, these internal draw rods, are they accessible by removing the plugs on the end sections, top and bottom?  And, where would push nipples be purchased from?  I am likely going to leave the rads alone, but I like to know how/what/when with my steam system.

     

    Thank you,

    Mike
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    Yes under the plugs.

    make sure your new radiators are as over sized as your old ones. This will keep them even. Do not size to the room but size to the same ratio as the existing radiators to square footage, unless you are redoing the whole home. The push nipples are available from a company in PA actually. I need to try and find their address, their name is even slipping my mind at this moment.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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    Push Nipples

    Charlie - Is this the outfit you're thinking of ? 

    Oneida County Boiler Works

    611 Mortimer Street

    Utica,NY 13502

    Phone: 315- 732-7914

    I have them listed as a source for push nipples.

    - Rod
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited April 2010
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    That radiator

    does NOT have internal draw rods. It has threaded nipples connecting the sections, each nipple having a right-hand thread on one end and a left-hand thread on the other. These are extremely difficult to get apart in one piece.



    As Charlie says, H.B Smith was the company that used internal draw rods. American Radiator did not. The earliest Rococos had the usual external draw rods, then they went to threaded nipples.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Luv'nsteam
    Luv'nsteam Member Posts: 278
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    Threaded nipples?

    Ok, so how do you seperate the sections?  As I stated, I will likely leave the rads in tact.  But I really want to know how they were assembled.  



    Thank you,

    Mike 
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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    L&R Nipples

    They are called Left & Right nipples. One end has left handed thread, the other end has right handed thread. There are usually "knobs" on the inside of the nipple that a special tool can engage to tighten/loosen the nipple. On an old radiator the nipples are probably rusted in and/or the "knobs " have deteriorated, so trying to disassemble this type of radiator usually isn't very practical. `

    - Rod
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    yep thats them

    I love the wall Thanks Rod
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
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