Cast-iron rads

[Riley]

Been installing four reclaimed cast-iron radiators for a customer.

To say they've been a nightmare is a bit of an understatement. Couldn't shift any of the old configurations pipework and caps so I have been forced to drill and tap them so that I can set them up with the flow and return bottom option.

I have now pretty much got them fully installed however two of the newly tapped holes are leaking I have tried every joint sealing method I can think of. Does anybody have a foolproof method to seal these bloody things??

I have tried in no particular order , PTFE, gas PTFE, hemp and boss white, Loctite, even a bit of a lsx. Still nothing.

Does anybody have any alternatives here as I'm starting to pull my hair out a bit

 

[rpm]

May not be your new fittings but maybe you`ve just found out why they were discarded.

 

[Riley]

Ha ha damn you, you could be right.

 

[rpm]

Ha ha damn you, you could be right.

Which makes extra work chargeable for Yes?

 

[Riley]

Oh she will be charged accordingly don't worry it's more my time of which I don't have much spare of the moment

 

[ShaunCorbs]

you tried locktight 577 as its good stuff but boss white and hemp wont seal it that would be worrying me your sure its not cracked ?

and how many drill bits you gone through

 

[Riley]

It's just frustrating because there is no reason at all why they shouldn't seal The thread tappings are nice and clean all cut with a new half inch tap

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It's just frustrating because there is no reason at all why they shouldn't seal The thread tappings are nice and clean all cut with a new half inch tap

dont want to seem stupid but you checked the threads with a flash light? and there are defo no cracks ? if its all good loctight 577 should do it let it set for 24 hours before pressure and you will be ok

 

[Riley]

you tried locktight 577 as its good stuff but boss white and hemp wont seal it that would be worrying me your sure its not cracked ?

and how many drill bits you gone through

Definitely not cracked and I don't think I ruined even one drillbit. The most difficult bit was getting them into some sort of a stand to hold them up right while they were drilled. Forgive me Shaun all the joints on these radiators that I haven't had to take apart appear to be made up with hemp have I misread the situation

 

[Riley]

dont want to seem stupid but you checked the threads with a flash light? and there are defo no cracks ? if its all good loctight 577 should do it let it set for 24 hours before pressure and you will be ok

I will give that a bash mate The threads are absolutely sound as a pound I checked every single one over as I didn't want to give the customer any comeback on it