Can anyone tell me if I can use a metal tube instead of the ceramic one as the ones I have are dammaged. I have seen them for sale for £10 each but that seems a but much to me especially if a metal one would do
The ceramic is there to protect the brass tube so I guess anything will do. I suggest a piece of SS tube will do the job OK. Mind you SS ain't cheap either. I am actually working on rproducing the ceramics. Well me neighbour is 'cos she makes pots and has the clay and kiln Etc. So far we have made three which broke in service so now Glenda is going to try another type of clay. If we get there and that is a big IF then I can't see them being expensive. The clay is cheap enough and the kiln is run for other stuff anyway. ::Neil::
I would not use a metal one! If you have more than one damaged ceramic tube, then cut them and fit the good parts to your burner, Jeff.
I hadn't thought of that one, Jeff, but does the join between the two 'tubelets' not let the heat through to the vapouriser..? All things considered, I don't think £10 for the ceramic tube is that unreasonable if you want to get a radiator in working order. Unless you plan to use it on a daily basis, the tube will last for many years - I expect mine will see me out...
Hello David, the ceramic tube is to protect the brass spigot on the heater burner. I have never had any problems with the spigot overheating, when I have had to cobble a ceramic tube together from broken tubes and once I had to use 3 pieces. The ceramic tube is held in place by a brass nut, so if one makes a neat job of trimming the broken tubes, then there are no significant gaps. I use a junior hacksaw to gently trim the broken ceramic tubes and I always hold the tube by the broken part, because it is possible to break the tubes by gripping them to hard. Jeff.
Hi gents, What's the inside diameter of the ceramic tubes. We live in a 100+ year old house that had "knob and tube" wiring. There are still lots of abandoned ceramic tubes in the attic. I'll check them this weekend. Neil, what's your porcelain recipe? Mike
Hello Mike, the inside diameter is half an inch and the outside diameter is eleven 16ths., of an inch, Jeff.
Yes, I know, Jeff, but the excess heat then gets conducted through the spigot to the vapouriser which can cause it to swell and sometimes even burst. Just what I've heard, mind - it hasn't actually happened to me - but then I never run a heater without an intact ceramic tube...
Hello David, I have never run a Tilley heater without a ceramic tube either, it did not seem wise to me. Which is why I cobbled a tube from 3 pieces, necessity is the mother of invention after all, Jeff.
Clay I guess. I have no idea what sort. I am just a lamp guy and I know from nothing about pots. Well that's not true 'cos my lady collects Satsuma but that don't mean I know much about types of clay. I know Glenda is going to get some clay for stoneware to try next. ::Neil::
Thanks Lads. Lots of good tips and info there. I suppose £10 isn't gonna break the bank but Its always a good thing to have reliable alternatives and posibilities.
