Do not feed the water to the boiler irregularly. The slower the water goes through the heater the more heat it takes up. To fill the boiler to three gauges and then shut off the feed until the water level is again down, the exhaust steam, after it has heated the water standing in heater, passes off without leaving any of its heat, and then turning on the feed water again much faster than needed, the water has not time to take up so much heat as if the feed were slow and regular. Much bad effect on the boiler is due to the difference in temperature at the time when the feed is off and on.
Never calk a boiler under steam pressure unless you are tired of life.
CALKING FLUES.
Q. In case the boiler flues become leaky, can they be tightened?
A. Yes, by the use of a tool called an “expander,” which is generally kept in stock by the boiler manufacturer.
Prosser’s Spring Expander.
Q. Can an unskilled person expand and tighten the flues of his boiler without the aid of an expert or boiler maker?
A. Yes, if he is careful and follows these instructions, viz:
First clean the ends of the flues and flue sheet of all dirt, soot and cinders, and place the expander within the leaky flue, being careful to have the shoulder of the tool well against the head and end of flue. Now, with a light hammer drive in the taper expanding pin and after two or three blows of the hammer, jar the pin out, turn the expander a little and drive in pin as before, removing the pin and turning expander again until a full turn has been made.