Where to get boiler washout plugs

[dhic001]

Hi All,
A boiler a friend and I are working on has two large washout plugs fitted to it, rather than the more common handhole doors. Unfortunately the last installer used steel plugs, fitted into the steel boiler, and sealed with expando. As a result, the plugs have had to be cut out of the boiler to remove them. The original plans call for Br5onze plugs, but where can we get them? The plugs are 2 1/2 inch BSPT, which seems large compared with others I've found available. Does anyone know a supplier somewhere in the world who sells these?
Thanks,
Daniel

[Lopez Mike]

I have been using cad plated steel plugs and haven't had any problem removing them as long as I used never seize on the threads.

[Steamboat Mike]

Hi Daniel,

Lopez Mike has a point about never seize on the threads. Being a belt and suspenders sort of person in matters steam, I use LOTS of Teflon tape, the nice military spec thick gauge material in addition to a generous dollop of never seize jollop. The trick with washout plugs is to remove them at the end of every steaming season and never leave them in over the winter. Wire brush the threads to remove any trace of rust and use plenty of anti seize and tef tape.

Having said all that, there is no substitute for a good aluminum bronze plug in a steel boiler. I don't know of a BSPT bronze plug supplier, but if you can get a 7" long piece of aluminum bronze 3" diameter round stock and a coupling or other female thread 2 1/2" fitting (to use for a gauge) to me, I would be glad to turn a couple of plugs for you. The threads are not difficult to make, you just need a big lathe with a taper attachment.

Happy steaming, best regards, Steamboat Mike

[johngriffiths]

Four new bronze plugs were made by Martyn Blackburn a couple of weeks ago for Shamrock to replace the old which were well chewed and may well have dated from 1927. Martyn made them a nice long taper with as large a square head as could be got from the stock and a pair of new keys were made for getting them out (one key with square straight with lever and the other at 45 degrees). Others who have purchased ready made have had problems with head size and length.

JG

[Lopez Mike]

The cadmium plated ones I have came from a hydraulic equipment supplier. They have a hex socket and screw down almost flush with the penetration which is good since I used many of them to close off unused penetrations which were then covered with insulation and lagging. Takes a really big allen wrench to install them.

[dhic001]

Thanks for the replies guys. We can make them here ourselves, just was hoping someone would have them off the shelf. As the project is on hold at present due to other work, the problem can go away for a few week!
Thanks all.
Daniel

[gondolier88]

Heritage Steam Supplies sells them in most common sizes.

Greg