copper boiler with dents

[Gerard HengeveldParticipant @gerardhengeveld24288]

Hello from Canada , Happy New year to you all.

I am new to this board and have to start with a question. Do you gent's have a inspiring idea how to remove a few small dents from the copper boiler ( stuart 504 ) I was thinking heating the dented area and shock cool it . Wrong / or stupid ? please tell me.

Gerard

[Gerard HengeveldParticipant @gerardhengeveld24288]

[John Paton 1Participant @johnpaton1]

I have not tried to remove dents from a boiler but ….

If the dents aren't too bad how about soft soldering a stud onto the dent and use that to pull back the dent then unsolder the stud and gently planish back any 'proud' areas and sand off any solder residue? ( a bit like the technique used to pull out dents in car bodywork)

John

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

I make boilers for a living…I dont repair other peoples boilers but when I have had occasion to pul out a dent I do exactly as JP describes, you can get a car body dent removal tool off eyba cheap then machine a plug out of brass, soft solder to copper and pull out with near perfect results.

Nigel

Pendle Steam Boilers

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Welcome to the forum Gerard.

Neil

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

If you want to anneal copper, you don't need to shock cool it. Just bring it up to red heat (Locally around the dent will do) and let it cool naturally. It goes very soft and nice to work.

John

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

After pulling the dent, by whatever means, I'd suggest doing a cold hydrostatic test to twice the working pressure according to the manufacturer, to verify the boiler's strength and that there are no hidden cracks or defects at the ends or along the dent, or elsewhere on the boiler as a result of it.

Just my $0.02 worth. Standing by for the usual disagreements and complaints.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by John Olsen on 09/01/2019 20:56:46:

If you want to anneal copper, you don't need to shock cool it. Just bring it up to red heat (Locally around the dent will do) and let it cool naturally. It goes very soft and nice to work.

John

If it was silver soldered initially it probably won't need softening. It might be worth just pumping it up as it is (with water of course) and seeing if the dent pings out

[Gerard HengeveldParticipant @gerardhengeveld24288]

A BIG thank you for all your advise .

In due course I'll let you guy's know the outcome.

Sincerely,

Gerard

[Author]

Posts