removing and hauling a steam radiator-saw, hammer, or wrench?

Hi All,

I have an old steam radiator up on the second floor of my house that is not in use, essentially wasting space. It has 10 rows and feels very heavy. The radiator has a joining bolt at the top, but the bottom half does not have a bolt holding it together. Is this a telltail sign of threaded nipples?

There is a large 1 1/2" nut at the end opposite the steam connector on the bottom. Is that for cleanout access, or could it be the other joining bolt?

If unbolting and carrying this anchor out of the house isn't an option, what would be the easiest way to disassemble this guy - cut it with a sawzall, hit it with a sledgehammer, etc.? I've heard that threaded nipple connections are on there for good. i'm also worried that the staircase wouldn't hold up to the weight of the radiator if I didn't take it apart before hauling it.

Thanks for any tips!

 

It indeed is heavy. If you can get it out intact, there is a market for such items. If intact removal is out of the quesiton, disconnect it, cut or unbolt the thru bolt, & have your way with it with a sledge hammer. The cast will break very easily. Almost all cast rads are put together with push nipples not threaded. Sometimes you can separate the sections with wooden wedges driven between the sections near the top & bottom of the rad.

 

Hello Grady,

The radiator looks like this where there is only one joining bolt:
http://www.restoreamericainc.com/fancyradshort.JPG

The one I'm working with isn't nearly as decorative though. Do you think that bottom section could be push nipples?

Thanks for your help!
-Bob

 

It is probable that the sections are joined both at the top & bottom by push nipples. If you can get it away from the wall so you can get to both sides, drive the wedge a whack or two from one side then the other, alternating sides & top & bottom.

 

Grady,

That sounds like a plan. I'll take a look (and a whack or two) at the radiator tonight with the wedge.

Thanks again!
-Bob

 

Let me know how things go. I hate to see these old rads destroyed if they can be saved.