Cast iron rad tails affixing

[Bogart]

Is there any preferred method of connecting tails to a cast iron rad as opposed to a steel one? Manufacturer says use LSX, never tried this stuff.
Thanks

 

[Harvest Fields]

Sure there was another thread on this recently? But I could be wrong?

 

[Sharp Point]

Boss white and hemp, tried and tested. Or for extreme punishment stag n hemp

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes there was

Loctite 577 for me

 

[Bogart]

I made a rig up to pressure test the rads before I attempt installation and the only way I could get a seal was with boss white and hemp. Never tried the the LS-X but using ptfe on its own failed. I do have Loctite 55 but not 577 which I am assuming is similar to LS-X.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I made a rig up to pressure test the rads before I attempt installation and the only way I could get a seal was with boss white and hemp. Never tried the the LS-X but using ptfe on its own failed. I do have Loctite 55 but not 577 which I am assuming is similar to LS-X.

You had it leak with 55?

 

[SimonG]

Ptfe and paste. Just done 24 of them.

 

[Bogart]

You had it leak with 55?

Never got around to 55 as the boss white and hemp worked.

 

[Bogart]

Ptfe and paste. Just done 24 of them.

Paste?

 

[Best]

Paste?

Boss White and correct amount of ptfe.
Although I use V2 Lube paste for most jobs nowadays, the Boss White is one of the best pastes for joints on threads to radiators or other heating system female or male joints.
Not for potable though

 

[ABK]

Loctite 55

 

[CHRISX]

Is there any preferred method of connecting tails to a cast iron rad as opposed to a steel one? Manufacturer says use LSX, never tried this stuff.
Thanks

Hello Bogart,

I advise You to NOT use Fernox LSX for any connection on a Heating system.

The reason being if any of the mastic gets into the pipework it solidifies into small lumps which travel around the system and can find their way into the small orifices in Thermostatic Radiator valves blocking them - obviously resulting in the Radiator not working.

Screwing in threaded Radiator valve tails would be the ideal circumstance for some of the LSX mastic to be pushed into the Radiator in small `blobs` which would then be circulated around the system and possibly get stuck in a TRV orifice.

I do use Fernox LSX mastic on various Plumbing tasks and it is `good stuff` BUT - not on Heating systems !

Perhaps You could tell the Radiator Manufacturer who recommended LSX that a Professional Heating Engineer told you `never use Fernox LSX mastic for any joint on a Heating system` - and tell them why ?

It might save other Radiator buyers from being told something that is NOT advisable.

Any of the recommendations from Members above would be appropriate for the Radiator valve connections.

Chris

 

[Bogart]

The LSX will therefore remain unopened. As it took hemp and boss white to get a seal for my test setup will stick with those, at least I know they work.

 

[CHRISX]

The LSX will therefore remain unopened. As it took hemp and boss white to get a seal for my test setup will stick with those, at least I know they work.

Hello again Bogart,

When I started in the Plumbing Trade `Boss White & Hemp` was the ONLY way to seal `Domestic` / small bore threaded joints.

For larger bore threads there was a `Thread reinforcing string` on a roll which was preferred by `Pipe Fitters` to Hemp for larger bore Pipes / threads.

I think that a Joint `paste` called `Stag` was favoured by Pipe Fitters for both small and large bore threads and I think it was put onto the market in the late 1960`s / early 1970`s [?] - there were only a couple of varieties then but I think that the brand now has a few varieties for various uses.

Now there are many varieties of `Jointing Paste` and liquid sealants.

Good Luck with your Radiator valve joints.

Chris

 

[rpm]

Hello again Bogart,

When I started in the Plumbing Trade `Boss White & Hemp` was the ONLY way to seal `Domestic` / small bore threaded joints.

For larger bore threads there was a `Thread reinforcing string` on a roll which was preferred by `Pipe Fitters` to Hemp for larger bore Pipes / threads.

I think that a Joint `paste` called `Stag` was favoured by Pipe Fitters for both small and large bore threads and I think it was put onto the market in the late 1960`s / early 1970`s [?] - there were only a couple of varieties then but I think that the brand now has a few varieties for various uses.

Now there are many varieties of `Jointing Paste` and liquid sealants.

Good Luck with your Radiator valve joints.

Chris

The jobs done Chris
Thanks for the trip down your memory lane though.

 

[CHRISX]

The jobs done Chris
Thanks for the trip down your memory lane though.

Hello rpm,

How do You know that Bogart / the OP completed the Radiator connections between Saturday morning and now ?

I have a feeling that You are trying to provoke me into insulting you - however your inane comment displays your attitude / mentality.

I will try not to lower myself by resorting to name calling - unlike yourself when you called me a `Clown` recently.

Chris

 

[rpm]

Hello rpm,

How do You know that Bogart / the OP completed the Radiator connections between Saturday morning and now ?

I have a feeling that You are trying to provoke me into insulting you - however your inane comment displays your attitude / mentality.

I will try not to lower myself by resorting to name calling - unlike yourself when you called me a `Clown` recently.

Chris

Hello again CHRISX,
First up, my error for failing to notice the word Test in the reply as for the rest of your reply well, where is the icon for rolling around on floor the laughing?

 

[ABK]

Hello again Bogart,

When I started in the Plumbing Trade `Boss White & Hemp` was the ONLY way to seal `Domestic` / small bore threaded joints.

For larger bore threads there was a `Thread reinforcing string` on a roll which was preferred by `Pipe Fitters` to Hemp for larger bore Pipes / threads.

I think that a Joint `paste` called `Stag` was favoured by Pipe Fitters for both small and large bore threads and I think it was put onto the market in the late 1960`s / early 1970`s [?] - there were only a couple of varieties then but I think that the brand now has a few varieties for various uses.

Now there are many varieties of `Jointing Paste` and liquid sealants.

Good Luck with your Radiator valve joints.

Chris

Thanks, interesting to know. I've seen the sprinkler guys using a string with paste on their threads.

Which was the best method in your opinion?

 

[CHRISX]

Thanks, interesting to know. I've seen the sprinkler guys using a string with paste on their threads.

Which was the best method in your opinion?

Hello ABK,

The `Joint reinforcing cord`/ `String` is probably best for the larger bore pipe threads as it is very easy to wind into the thread and it saves the Installer from having to pull Hemp into strands.

I would recommend `Boss White / Hawk White & Hemp` for Small bore [up to 1.25"] Iron Pipework for water.

Chris

 

[NickH]

I use Loctite 55 and Jet paste, but most importantly I roughen the thread on the tails with a file before wrapping with the 55. This helps the string to stay on the thread when you screw it in.
Some tails and male fittings do come pre "roughened".

 

[Bogart]

I was assuming the word string was referring to Loctite 55.
Am about to start the jobs this morning.

 

[CHRISX]

I was assuming the word string was referring to Loctite 55.
Am about to start the jobs this morning.

Hello Bogart,

Loctite seem to have the market `tied up` [excuse the unintended pun] with Loctite 55 now.

I have no idea who manufactured the `Joint reinforcing cord` that I mentioned in a previous message to You in the 1960`s & 1970`s or since / before Loctite 55 became available.

Just like Yarn and Hemp it just came with no manufacturers identification that I can remember from the Plumbers Merchant.

Hemp is also available in dispensers which allow a `strand` to be pulled out which is good for use on large bore threaded joints - it just saves having to pull strands of Hemp off the `Hank` [`Hank of Hemp`].

Good Luck with the Radiator tails.

Chris

 

[Bogart]

Have tried Boss White with hemp and Loctite 55 both have made a good seal. I like the idea of Boss White with cast iron rads, like what it used to be! Think I will use Loctite55 on any other rad as I think is better than ptfe. One point I did note was that both of them seem to slip the thread a bit and bunch up but sealed so what?

 

[rpm]

Sounds like you may have applied the products to the thread in the wrong rotation.

 

[Bogart]

Nope correct direction. Maybe I am just putting too much on the thread