Splitting Radiateurs Fonte

[Deauville]

Before I go at it with a big (soft ended!) lump hammer and Gay Abandon (she's a great gal!), is there anything I should know about splitting a cast iron radiator into smaller sections? Between the two radiators I've got there are enough sections but I need to re-organise them into different sizes - any hints anyone?

Bonne nouvelle année

[Anton Redman]

Suggest you have a read through the attached and or spend a bit of time surfing with goggle.  Make sure you can source the rods, gaskets or nipples to rejoin before your take them apart. Strip the paint from the nuts, use penetrating oil and heat to free them up, try and heat the rod not the rad.

 

http://www.architrader.com/ExpertsGuide.aspx

 

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=20

 

http://www.theoldradiatorcompany.co.uk/newsite/restoration.htm

 

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/tools/article/0,16417,1171946,00.html

 

Sorry most links are from the US. Might be worth posting the same question on Screwfix in UK.

[Deauville]

Thanks Anton, a quick look at those sites scared the bejabers out of me! These are plain French rads so I guess I need help sourcing the gaskets and such like before I start

[Anton Redman]

Makes sense to me but [:P]I have always had problems getting my hands on nipples. I have been reading must of the French renonavation mags for the last 12 years without reading an article about renovating radiators.

I have never seen an atavar look quite so livacious before. Happy New Year

[Ian]

Deauville, I've only had experience (a long time ago) of splitting cast-iron rads in the UK. I don't know if french rads are the same, but in case they are, you could use Hermetite liquid cylinder-head gasket, out of a tube (or similar) to seal between the sections.

Also, if the sections fit together the same way mine did, beware of reverse threads.......

Best of luck