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Don't You Just Love 3-1/2" Supply Mains?

Another beautiful old Victorian. My comfort zone. But too much fresh water, and the old girl has sprung a leak:



New England SteamWorks
Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
newenglandsteamworks.com

Comments

  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    edited October 2017
    And that old header has got to go. But she won't go quietly...





    But it's 3-1/2". Fittings very difficult to source, insulation seemingly impossible.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    At least the meager vents are easy to access and upgrade...



    Not.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,170
    edited October 2017
    You really should come to the place I care for, and take a look at the way @Charlie from wmass managed a big old header (actually the steam drum from a really ancient H.B. Smith). You'd be welcome, anytime!
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    edited October 2017
    I wish I could write my true experiences with this one, but it is a PG forum so I will demur...

    That header put up such a struggle that although we succeeded in the end, seems hard to call it a victory.

    Any trick to lining up old piping? I used them all, plus clamps, jacks, and prayers.

    But we survived. Header is connected. Onward.




    Did you hear (I am always a little behind) Glen Campbell died?

    One of the greatest songs. Ever.

    And yes, I can hijack my own thread...

    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
    IronmanMilanD
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505

    You really should come to the place I care for, and take a look at the way @Charlie from wmass managed a big old header (actually the steam drum from a really ancient H.B. Smith). You'd be welcome, anytime!


    Being a @Charlie from wmass fan, and all things old and steam, I am certain I would enjoy that immensely and I will take you up on that offer. If you could message me with your address I'll contact you when I am traveling in that direction.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
    Paul S_3
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Weil-McLain 3-80?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    Steamhead said:

    Weil-McLain 3-80?

    A good eye as always @Steamhead!

    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    That's going to be a beauty!
    New England SteamWorkshowiezee
  • AMservices
    AMservices Member Posts: 610
    You got a cool signature with the 4' risers. Hopefully for the next 100 years tech's will see your work and even if they don't know your name, they will know the installer.
    Great job!
    New England SteamWorksRomanGK_26986764589
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    The boiler that heated our old shop was 3 1/2". Last time I checked (which was a while ago) you could get 3 1/2" pipe but no fittings.

    I also ran into 7" once which I almost cut the flanges off with a torch to relocate them thinking it was 6" . Luckily I stopped in time and reworked things
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    Almost there. She'll be running tomorrow. Money shot for @Sailah, whose vents arrived in the nick of time!


    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
    FredPaul S_3
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    Why do you tease us with one picture! :wink:
  • Paul S_3
    Paul S_3 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited October 2017
    beautiful job @New England SteamWorks ..... i have a few steam systems that work on in nyc with 3.5 & 4.5 pipe and fittings....3.5 i see alot
    ASM Mechanical Company
    Located in Staten Island NY
    Servicing all 5 boroughs of NYC.
    347-692-4777
    ASMMECHANICALCORP@GMAIL.COM
    ASMHVACNYC.COM
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/asm-mechanical-company
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Re: Cool Signature

    An engraved brass plate on that header would be very cool. Long after you're gone, and someone looks at your work, and says,"Wow, I wonder who did that"? They should have that answer.
    SeanBeans
  • Henry
    Henry Member Posts: 998
    edited October 2017
    Nice work! We can get 3 1/2 pipe and welded fittings. Anything over 2 inches, we weld.
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    Strainers on your air vents. I see.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,616
    What's the fitting between the strainers and the vents? A valve?
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    Think it’s just a tee for additional vents @ratio
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    Really nice @New England SteamWorks

    @Paul48, I like the brass name plate idea. Trouble is the newer boilers don't last long enough to make it worthwhile
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    I was thinking, having it on a small chain on the header. You should be able to sneak that out of the insulation, and that's where the craftsmanship exists.
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    They moth-balled the boiler many, many years ago when the water consumption shot up and after many frustrating attempts to find a suitable contractor to tackle the project. Most never came back! So they began to use wood and pellets for heat.

    Then they found heatinghelp.com.

    When the boiler finally fired and filled the radiators and home with central heat after so many years, the owners told me that they became flabbergasted (little did I know down in the basement skimming and insulating), and their thoughts turned immediately to Young Frankenstein. Too funny...
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Wow, it looks amazing!
    New England SteamWorks
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    Gorgeous install as alway @New England SteamWorks
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    New England SteamWorks
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    amazing when something works the way it's supposed to
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
  • SeanBeans
    SeanBeans Member Posts: 520
    awesome.