Steam Piping Basics

[Korben]

I have a Stuart S-50 mill engine and a Stuart 500 boiler. I'm gathering fittings (throttle valve, lubricator, etc.) for the steam pipe connection. This is my first live steam project and there are a number of basics I need to learn.

Case in point: Most of the fittings for the engine are threaded 1/4"x32 ME. When these parts are screwed together, they don't draw up tight like tapered threads do. How are these connections made rigid and steam-tight? Are they intended to be sealed with a soft washer or a pipe joint compound, or both?

Regards,
Korben

 

[Blogwitch]

Korben,
For plain joints such as you have, I use either a product called Boss White, a paste of sorts, or PTFE gas tape (it is a little thicker than the plumbers version).

John