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Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 9:50 pm
by ubxdiver
Picked up this 72 with a pillar valve. It has a port with an incorrect size port plug. No o-ring and is too long for the port. Any suggestions for resources to find the right port plug? Yes, I know the O-ring is cracked.
Valve.01_LI (2).jpg
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 8:17 am
by antique diver
It's OK, no need for concern. That's a 1/8" tapered pipe plug, and it's the correct thread for that valve.
I know it's larger than 1/8", but pipe thread size designations do not go by outside diameter.
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 12:29 pm
by Herman
Bill check your PM's
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 2:53 pm
by ubxdiver
Alright, Thanks. I just feel compelled to put an o-ring on it. Jus' don't seem right!
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 4:06 pm
by antique diver
ubxdiver wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2020 2:53 pm
Alright, Thanks. I just feel compelled to put an o-ring on it. Jus' don't seem right!
Well, the tapered threads (NPT / National Pipe Taper) seal tighter and tighter as the components are threaded together, so you can feel safe using the valve in the current configuration
That type of thread has been around for years and years before that valve was made, and is still in modern production use. It's not something dreamed up by that French guy in 1943. NPT still works well, and I use all kinds of 6000-6500 psi NPT threaded components in the modern compressed air industry.
If it will make you feel better just stretch a small oring over the end of the plug and onto the threads.
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 7:24 pm
by ubxdiver
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 9:51 am
by captain
I have said before the safest most reliable rig is a Mistral regulator on a tank with a tapered pipe thread J valve. Only one critical O ring in the whole set up, tank to regulator.
Re: Pillar valve plug
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:47 am
by antique diver
captain wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 9:51 am
I have said before the safest most reliable rig is a Mistral regulator on a tank with a tapered pipe thread J valve. Only one critical O ring in the whole set up, tank to regulator.
That's an easy statement to agree with!
You could even take it one step further and use the early valves that used a flat Teflon seal instead of an oring at the outlet. (Yes, PTFE, aka Teflon was around back then, having been invented around 1938.) They took a more torque on the yoke screw to make the seal, but I never saw one blow out. You will see also see those valves with a semi-flat rubber washer. I have heard that some really early ones may have used leather washers.
