Page 1 of 1

Boiler tubes

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:47 pm
by Eric Penn
I have recently purchased a 'Maid if Kent', and steamed it for the first time today. The tubes are 7/16" but I find it only possible to clean 2 of them with the correct size flue brush.

On inspection the tubes are coated with a layer of hard soot, easily visible with a torch, it starts about an inch or two from the smokebox and prevents the brush going down the tubes. At a guess about .010" thick.

How do I go about removing the layer to improve steaming (heat conductivity).

Eric Penn

Soot

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:58 pm
by Frits
Hi Eric,

Plan A.
Try to soak and dissolve it with a stove window cleaner. (=some kind of petrol solution).
If it doesn't do the trick go to plan B.

Plan B.
If a brush isn't effective :cry: , try to make a copper scraper. Don't use steel otherwise you possibly demage your tubes. :shock: :shock: :shock:
It could look like a copper disc of 7/16" fixed on a bar. Drill holes in the edge of the disc to create "teeth". :wink:

By moving it forward and backward while turning around, you should remove the soot quickly. :D

And if not then you have to drill it out very carefully.

Frits