I need to clean some really caked on grease that is on an old engine in a
machine.
I was thinking of taking a tea kettle and shutting the spring-loaded lid,
inserting some 1/4" copper tubing into the lid's hole, setting the thing on
a hot-plate, putting a spring on the tubing where one would hold the tubing
so as to prevent fingers being burned.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
j/b
If you want to build a steam generator, here's an easy way: take an old
propane bottle and follow the steps on the Web to remove the valve and
prepare it for reuse:
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Then you can put water in it and thread in a 3/4" plug which has been
drilled and fitted with 1/4" tubing. Put the whole thing on an outdoor
burner like the kind that comes with a turkey deepfrying setup, and
heat it until it boils. Unless you have a valve on the tubing you
won't have an overpressure problem.
But it's a lot easier to use Castrol purple cleaner - spray it on, work
it with a wire brush, wash it off.
GWE
Thanks, Grant.
I think that I will put your idea on the back burner, pardon pun, until I
need a steam cleaner for outside.
I need this inside but your post suggests that my idea is feasible.
I can't get in the crevices that I need to get clean with a wire brush.
I will have to soak with diesel fuel and steam it and then blow dry.
I definitely will make the propane bottle deal later on.
j/b
"jusme" wrote: I think that I will put your idea on the back burner,
pardon pun, until I
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You can buy a small household steam cleaner for about $50. Holds about a
pint of water, and does quite a bit on a single fill. Mine really works
well, and I have no doubt that it would do your engine in about a half hour.
Target sells a Shark Steam Blaster Jr. for $40 that comes with an
extension hose, attachments, and something you didn't mention: a safety
valve. I bought one for the same purpose, cleaning up an old engine. Works
fine for that, and amounts to some cheap insurance.
- Bruce
"jusme" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.alt.net:
"jusme" wrote: Thanks for that information. Where are
they sold, as I may want to get some ideas from it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I can't help you much there, kuz I bought mine on Craig's List. The only
other place I have seen them is late nite TV commercials. It is a "Scunci
Steamer." Bruce Spainhower's response has caused me to delete a whole lot
of what I had written.
BTW, a big advantage these units have over w2hat you can buiold out of a
teakettle is that they build up pressure, and deliver the steam to the
nozzle at high velicity, which, I am sure, has a lot to do with their
effectiveness.
Bruce, good on ya, mite.
I will go to target and take a look. I don't know in what department but I
will persevere.
I didn't mention a safety since I will use it without one at first and then,
install one after I get through with what I need, in case someone else uses
it without realizing the danger.
Thanks.
j/b
A safety is there for a reason.
If you ever see the aftermath of a boiler explosion, you will
understand.
TMT
As a guy who runs old steam boilers now and then, I feel a need to "pop off"
(pun intended) on this.
I've used steam cleaners on occasion and those that I've used are simply
"open." There is no way they can build up any appreciable pressure. You
light the burner and open the water valve. You get water for a while, then
you get steam. Since the system is "open" there is no opportunity to build
up any appreciable pressure.
On the other hand, the safety on a boiler, from a practical standpoint,
covers for you on two different (related) fronts. First is the situation
where you clumsily get the fire a little too hot and make a little more
steam than is being used. The other is when you make steam expecting it to
be needed and then the hogger (who, embarrassingly, may be yourself) doesn't
take it. But, in these cases, you only have a "little" too much to be
disposed of. If things go horribly wrong, the safety isn't going to take
care of it all and you're apt to send your dumb ass in the general direction
of the moon.
The safety will cover a mistake. Total stupidity is another matter...
Jerry
A couple years ago I picked up the boiler from an old, industrial
steam iron; electrically heated with gage tube and TWO safety blow off
valves, one set for 40 and the other for 60 PSI IIRC
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada
Leo's right, I forgot to mention the jet velocity the commercial one
produces. It travels a good five or six feet when you just point it across
the room and hit the button. Just pay the forty bucks. You'll be happier.
They're with the vacuum cleaners at Target. You can always wear a disguise to
shop that department. ;-)
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in news:YWidj.338103
$ snipped-for-privacy@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
Any boiler can become dangerous when there is only a single outlet and it
becomes plugged. My friend had a kitchen pressure cooker explode when the
pressure maintaining device plugged and the emergency relief valve was also
plugged.
Old railroad steame engines usually had 3 pressure relief valves all set
about 1 psi apart.
Bad thing about a boiler explosion is not only the boiler steam (and it can
be way over 212 degrees, depending on the pressure) but the water volume in
the boiler, which can also be way over 212 degrees. Again depending on the
pressure. When the boiler ruptures, all the remain liquid water immediately
flashes into steam, with the loss of the pressure. I believe the volume
ratio is something like 10,000 to 1 cubic units, of water when turning into
steam. And when this steam condenses, you have water at less than 211
degrees. Many ways to burned badly.
Wes, that is a good idea except they are My pressure cookers.....love 'em;
wife is afraid of them.
I plan to test one after I get over this cold.
I don't really know what to use for a hose but I will figure out something,
I guess.
j/b
Water cannot be heated above 212 degrees Fahrenheit (as you mention above).
Steam can be heated above the boiling point but not water. However, you are
correct in the case of an explosion/rupture, the release of pressure would
immediately allow the water to turn to steam.
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