stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,073
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Post by stevep on Sept 5, 2024 14:10:18 GMT
My understanding of Radweld is that it solidifies as it leaks out of holes and meets the air - hence sealing the hole.
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Post by ettingtonliam on Sept 5, 2024 15:08:38 GMT
I could be wrong but I got the impression that Radweld was little metal flakes suspended in solution. The flakes sealed up any holes but the rest remained floating in the water. That would definitely be a bad thing for boiler fittings. I have also seen water glass (sodium silicate?) suggested for sealing up leaks but that could be a problem as well if the boiler was not flushed out well after the water glass had done it's job. John
Googling Radweld gives the information that it contains toluene and sodium hydroxide, but no mention of metal flakes. Also gives the information that it may be harmful to the unborn child. |
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Post by John Baguley on Sept 5, 2024 16:30:55 GMT
I'm sure that is probably right. My memory is not what it used to be 
John
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mbrown
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,790
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Post by mbrown on Sept 5, 2024 18:54:17 GMT
In the old days on the Talyllyn, when the boilers were life-expired, they used oatmeal with no apparent ill-effects except (apparently) the smell of porridge everywhere!
Malcolm
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Post by ettingtonliam on Sept 5, 2024 20:25:53 GMT
I have read a book of reminisenses of an old time engineer who related that if a new boiler wasn't completely tight, they boiled it up with a witches brew of oatmeal and cow manure. As you might guess, it didn't smell very nice.
Letting a boiler stand for a few weeks or months after hydraulic testing let rust take up any weeps too.
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Post by suctionhose on Sept 6, 2024 11:30:38 GMT
I've abstained thus far, you lot being in UK and Australian experience not much relevant...
I am aware of two boilers on 7 1/4 locos with nutted and Loctite caulked stays. They were made under our code by a professional boiler inspector and I saw them steam on occasions.
I can't preempt what your UK boiler inspectors will be thinking but the structural concerns are taken care of by mechanical means: nuts and screw threads. Caulking is not structural and could be anything from pepper to Loctite as far as I can see as somebody who's mucked about with boilers for a lifetime.
Personally, Loctite with 230 degrees max range is too close to water @ 180 degrees for comfort though I can say I have an engine with a "get out of jail free" repair using Loctite with ten years of successful steaming.
End of the day, is the caulking in tact or not?The boiler will not blow up with nutted stays; just leak if the caulking has been compromised.
Chances are, if water level has been maintained in the normal manner. There's no issue?
I do find in 2024 that boiler inspectors in their ignorance/inexperience place too much emphasis on a leak. What does the leak represent? A crack? A caulking issue? A leaking valve?
The OP should consider the local vibe on getting certified but nutted and caulked by whatever means should not, in a reasonable world, prevent certification.
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