[Steam-engine] Wachs packing gland question

[P Stanley]

You should be packing the rod with graphite rope packing, available from
Mcmaster- Carr, et al. There were other types of packings, ie. semi-metallic
and metallic. But, these were used almost exclusively on the larger Corliss
engines or locomotives. Additionally, these packings require a rod that is
very smooth and true, whereas a graphite packing will allow for quite a bit
of pitting before it will leak badly, although the packing should never be
too tight,  as it will score the rod. You should always get a little drip of
water every so often from the packing. On the mettallic packing, it was
usually(on corliss engines at least) in the form of a large carrier with
several thin, multi-piece ring, made of bronze or cast iron, held against
the piston-rod by a garter spring around the perimeter of the rings. There
are other types that are probably not in any of the books i've read. The
metallic packings allowed for less wear, and a long period of use before
replacement, and they allowed for higher pressures and temps. than would be
possible with graphite rope. If you are concerned with the rod rubbing on
the cast iron gland, then you should look toward adjusting your crosshead
shoes (if you have a tapered-shoe type crosshead) to center the rod in the
gland hole.
Good Luck
-Nick Stanley
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Strobel" <Richard_Strobel7 at msn.com>
To: "steam-engine" <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2005 12:05 PM
Subject: [Steam-engine] Wachs packing gland question


> Howdy all;
> Well the stationary Wachs is coming along fine and waiting for a nice day
to
> do some outside blasting.  Machinist friend, Corky has built some fine
> replacement rods and such and the cast welding repairs are done.  We're
> having a good time.
>
>   Now for the big question.  Ya'll know that the piston rod is sealed with
a
> packing gland and packing.  This piston rod (steel) goes up and down
through
> the packing gland (cast) and it's not all that loose of fit.  I'm thinking
> of having Corky install a brass bushing (not OEM) so the piston rod
doesn't
> get scored.
>
> Whatcha think..would it hurt to do so?
>
>
> TIA
> RickinMT.
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