We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

Cheers
Pete @
--
http://www.GymRatZ.co.uk
Commercial Gym Equipment and strength training stuff.

On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if
you found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators
were designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually,
but not invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing
back down the same pipe as the steam entered by.

Personally, if I wanted the look, I would buy a modern cast radiator,
rather than reuse something of unknown history.

http://castironradiators.biz/

Colin Bignell

On 31/01/2014 12:44, Nightjar wrote:
On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if
you found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators
were designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually,
but not invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing
back down the same pipe as the steam entered by.

Personally, if I wanted the look, I would buy a modern cast radiator,
rather than reuse something of unknown history.

http://castironradiators.biz/

Wow, I'd hate to pay those prices!

On 31/01/2014 13:00, Fredxxx wrote:
On 31/01/2014 12:44, Nightjar wrote:
On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if
you found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators
were designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually,
but not invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing
back down the same pipe as the steam entered by.

Personally, if I wanted the look, I would buy a modern cast radiator,
rather than reuse something of unknown history.

http://castironradiators.biz/

Wow, I'd hate to pay those prices!

Which ones were you looking at? The Victorian range cost £17 per 400
BTU. Admittedly more than you would probably pay for an equivalent
pressed steel radiator, but I don't think excessive for what they are.

If you start looking at designer radiators, the prices get seriously
expensive:

http://www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk/...s/?catid=Blade
http://www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk/...s/?catid=Shine

This one pretends to be a full length mirror:

http://www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk/...catid=Ice_Inox

Colin Bignell

"Nightjar" wrote in message
...
On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if you
found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators were
designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually, but not
invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing back down the
same pipe as the steam entered by.


Single pipe steam sytems are largely an American invention, virtually never
seen here in the UK.
Very poor idea.

On 31/01/2014 18:10, harryagain wrote:
"Nightjar" wrote in message
...
On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if you
found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators were
designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually, but not
invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing back down the
same pipe as the steam entered by.


Single pipe steam sytems are largely an American invention, virtually never
seen here in the UK.

Perhaps not in the parts of the UK you know, but single pipe is not
particularly uncommon, for a steam system that is.

Very poor idea.

It was a concept of its time. Steam would distribute itself by its own
pressure and the condensate would return under gravity. An ideal system
when you didn't have small reliable pumps to circulate water. However,
steam gives high surface temperatures and the single pipe system needs
careful design, to prevent condensate accumulating in horizontal pipes
and producing banging. The two pipe system was introduced to help
overcome that as well as problems with the air bleed valves, which could
either prevent the radiator from heating, if stuck closed or clogged, or
vent steam into the room, if stuck open.

Colin Bignell

"Nightjar" wrote in message
...
On 31/01/2014 18:10, harryagain wrote:
"Nightjar" wrote in message
...
On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

BSP threads have been around for so long that I would be surprised if
you
found some that didn't use it. However, some cast iron radiators were
designed for use with steam, rather than hot water. Those usually, but
not
invariably, only had a single pipe entry; condensate flowing back down
the
same pipe as the steam entered by.


Single pipe steam sytems are largely an American invention, virtually
never
seen here in the UK.

Perhaps not in the parts of the UK you know, but single pipe is not
particularly uncommon, for a steam system that is.

Very poor idea.

It was a concept of its time. Steam would distribute itself by its own
pressure and the condensate would return under gravity. An ideal system
when you didn't have small reliable pumps to circulate water. However,
steam gives high surface temperatures and the single pipe system needs
careful design, to prevent condensate accumulating in horizontal pipes and
producing banging. The two pipe system was introduced to help overcome
that as well as problems with the air bleed valves, which could either
prevent the radiator from heating, if stuck closed or clogged, or vent
steam into the room, if stuck open.

I know how they work thanks.
The steam /condenseate system was brought in to reduce pipe/boiler sizes,
use high pressure steam, reduce noises and for increased efficiency.

In article ,
"www.GymRatZ.co.uk" writes:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

Threads haven't changed AFAIK (BSP), but you will almost certainly
need reducing bushes, as these were designed for gravity systems which
needed thick pipes.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"www.GymRatZ.co.uk" writes:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

Threads haven't changed AFAIK (BSP), but you will almost certainly
need reducing bushes, as these were designed for gravity systems which
needed thick pipes.

Drivel. They were used in large commercial buildings/hospitals until very
recently.

The connections are large to enable the sections to be assembled and to
provide a large waterway.

www.GymRatZ.co.uk scribbled...


We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?



If you end up buying 2nd hand, you need to ensure the insides are not
rusting though. Give them a good whacking with a lump of wood or rubber
hammer - like a railway wheel inspector.

"Artic" wrote in message
ldhosting.com...
www.GymRatZ.co.uk scribbled...


We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?



If you end up buying 2nd hand, you need to ensure the insides are not
rusting though. Give them a good whacking with a lump of wood or rubber
hammer - like a railway wheel inspector.

More Drivel
Cast iron does not rust significantly.
What does rust is the assembly nipples if they are steel.
Some had malleable iron nipples.

harryagain scribbled...


"Artic" wrote in message
ldhosting.com...
www.GymRatZ.co.uk scribbled...


We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?



If you end up buying 2nd hand, you need to ensure the insides are not
rusting though. Give them a good whacking with a lump of wood or rubber
hammer - like a railway wheel inspector.

More Drivel
Cast iron does not rust significantly.
What does rust is the assembly nipples if they are steel.
Some had malleable iron nipples.


Want to buy some a friend bought, that fell apart when the paint was
being stripped?

"Artic" wrote in message
ldhosting.com...
harryagain scribbled...


"Artic" wrote in message
ldhosting.com...
www.GymRatZ.co.uk scribbled...


We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to
modern
valves etc?



If you end up buying 2nd hand, you need to ensure the insides are not
rusting though. Give them a good whacking with a lump of wood or
rubber
hammer - like a railway wheel inspector.

More Drivel
Cast iron does not rust significantly.
What does rust is the assembly nipples if they are steel.
Some had malleable iron nipples.


Want to buy some a friend bought, that fell apart when the paint was
being stripped?

The problem is they are heavy and tend to get knocked about and dropped in
transport.
They just can't stand such treatment when they are 50-100 years old.

Probably possible to move them if extreme care is taken.
But that rarely happens in practice.

"www.GymRatZ.co.uk" wrote in message
...
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

Cheers
Pete @

SH cast iron radiators are best left alone.
They often leak after manhandling and paint stripping.
If they do leak (from between sections) very hard to fix.
Upstairs floor may not carry the weight, esp if chipboard.

New ones from 3rd world countries cost an arm and a leg.

They will be BSP connections,same as today, so no problem there.

On Friday, January 31, 2014 6:08:10 PM UTC, harry wrote:

SH cast iron radiators are best left alone.
They often leak after manhandling and paint stripping.
If they do leak (from between sections) very hard to fix.

People fix em the same way as car engine blocks, gasket & hematite


NT

wrote in message
...
On Friday, January 31, 2014 6:08:10 PM UTC, harry wrote:

SH cast iron radiators are best left alone.
They often leak after manhandling and paint stripping.
If they do leak (from between sections) very hard to fix.

People fix em the same way as car engine blocks, gasket & hematite


More drivel. The sections and nipples have left and right hand threads, LH
thread tools very hard to obtain these days.

The nipples are often so rusted they are hard /impossibleto remove even with
the proper tool.
And then you are going to need largeish BSP left hand thread taps the clear
out the holes.

Last time we attempted such a thing we had to make our own tap on the lathe.

You might find some specialist does this work but it would be expensive.

On 01/02/2014 10:09, harryagain wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Friday, January 31, 2014 6:08:10 PM UTC, harry wrote:

SH cast iron radiators are best left alone.
They often leak after manhandling and paint stripping.
If they do leak (from between sections) very hard to fix.

People fix em the same way as car engine blocks, gasket & hematite


More drivel. The sections and nipples have left and right hand threads, LH
thread tools very hard to obtain these days.

The nipples are often so rusted they are hard /impossibleto remove even with
the proper tool.
And then you are going to need largeish BSP left hand thread taps the clear
out the holes.

Last time we attempted such a thing we had to make our own tap on the lathe...

Probably the cheapest option, given that the list price of a 1" BSP left
hand tap is around £500.

Colin Bignell

On 31/01/2014 12:24, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
We're looking at sourcing some old cast radiators for our cottage
renovation project now that we've got gas finally fitted but my main
concern is over pipe/valve fitting to victorian/vintage rads.

Has anyone come across any difficulties mating up such beasts to modern
valves etc?

Thanks all for input.
We've decided it's more hassle/gamble than it's worth so are going for
new equivalent ones. A shade on the pricey side but will only them in
the living/day rooms and stick some regular (cheap) panel radiators in
bedrooms size is more important than visual appeal.

Cheers
Pete @



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