Cracked steam radiator at vent boss -salvageable??

branimal · April 22

I've drilled out the proper vent location (lower half) on a few radiators over the last few years. I've had some success and some fails.

Here are two fails…. are they salvageable? JB weld? These would be used a backup heat sources during times when mini splits can't keep up.

Or should I call my scrap guy?

Note on what not to do - both of these cracked when using a easy-out bit on a drill after drilling the center out.

mattmia2 · April 22

there is a square sharp corner easy out that doesn't crank itself in, i'd try that to grab it without expanding it.

as for the crack, you can drill the end of it and braze it up, maybe braze or epoxy a plug in it, then use the other boss on the other end and put the supply valve on that end. if the back side of it is cracked then it probably isn't worth it. you could split it, braze it, and put it back together but you can get that style radiator new from us boiler.

there is usually drilling almost to the size of the plug to get it out, a lot easier if you can put the thing in a milling machine or lathe but you can get an off center hole really close to the threads and then be able to fiddle it out or drill a hole then use a very thine spine reciprocating or jig saw blade by hand to cut almost to the threads and knock the piece in between out.

Pumpguy · April 22

In addition to the braze crack repair suggested above, cracks like these can be repaired with overlapping threaded plugs, each secured with red high strength Loctite.

These are installed all along the crack. Once the overlapping plugs are in place, you can use an angle grinder to finish them down flush with the surrounding surface.

pecmsg · April 22

replace it!!!

mattmia2 · April 22

make sure the back of the tube isn't cracked, it kind of looks like that tube just split in 2 all the way around and there is no way that getting access to repair that makes sense for that style radiator(if it were something rare it could make sense.) you could also cut the tube and seal it off above and below the crack with a brazed in plug if it is cracked all the way through.

you could grind the boss flat and braze a threaded bung over it after you repair the crack.

mattmia2 · April 22

This style of extractor is less likely to crack the ci

branimal · April 22

The cracks run all the way around the. tube on both radiators.

Ok here's another radiator that someone tried to repair….You can see a crack below the vent hole. Tap is 1/4" NPT i think. IS it salvageable?

mattmia2 · April 22

When pounding on the tube, slip something behind the tube to support it, i think those first 2 cracked because the tube flexed enough to crack.

That 3rd one could be repaired with drilling and grinding then brazing the crack , grind the boss flat and braze a bung on it, but this isn't a my first oxy torch sort of project.

109A_5 · 2:03AM

Ummm…

" Note on what not to do - both of these cracked when using a easy-out bit on a drill after drilling the center out. "

Too late now, but in the future, 'Easy-Out' type tools are hand tools not bits for drill motors. Cast iron needs patience and finesse not full Gorilla mode.

hot_rod · 3:02AM

when drilling out an old 1/8 NPT fitting, use a 11/32 drill. That is the size and 1/8 NPT tap requires. Then you don’t need the ez out. Or go up one size if there is enough boss.

mattmia2 · 3:48AM

I think it either cracked from pounding on the easy out to set it or it was too long and hit the back of the tube.

branimal · 12:03PM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1894909#Comment_1894909

Matt, are we talking oxy-acetylene brazing or Mapp gas? I've got Mapp. Maybe worth giving it a shot. It's headed to the scrap yard anyways.

Grallert · 1:13PM

Reverse twist drills.

Cracked steam radiator at vent boss -salvageable??

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