MusicaMusicaHOW TO PATCH A BOILER

By H. MOEN, MACHINIST, CRESCO, IOWA.

WHEN the leak or weak place in the boiler is found, take a ripping chisel and cu
t out all of the weak thin and cracked parts. This done, make the patch. The pat
ch must be large, not less than an inch lap on all sides, but if double rows of
rivets are wanted the lap should be two inches on all sides. Bevel or scrape the
patch on all edges to allow calking. The bolt holes should be about two inches
apart and countersunk for patch bolts, if patch bolts are used. Next, drill two
holes in the boiler shell, one on each side of the patch, and put in the bolts.
These bolts should be put in to stay and hold the patch in position while the re
st of the holes are drilled and bolted. When the bolts are all in, take your wre
nch and tighten the bolts one after the other, harder and harder, striking at th
e same time on the patch around its edges. At last strike light on the bolt head
s when you tighten and draw the bolt until its head breaks off. These bolts are
made for this purpose and in such a shape that the head will break at a high str
ain. This done use the calking iron all around the patch.
The patch should be put on the inside of the boiler, especially if on the bottom
of a horizontal boiler. If the patch is put on the outside in this place the se
diment or solid matter which the water contains will quickly fill up over the pa
tch and there is danger of overheating the boiler and an explosion may follow.