Old-timer told me my flanges were too tight, changed everything

Was working on a feedwater heater at a plant outside Baton Rouge last Tuesday, and this retired guy walks by to grab his lunchbox. He stops, watches me torque a flange, and says 'son you're gonna crack that thing by morning.' I was like nah, I follow the spec sheet to the letter. But he pulled out a little worn chart from his wallet showing how thermal expansion on a 200 psi system means you actually back off a quarter turn after initial torque. Decided to try it on the next set of bolts, and sure enough the gasket seated way better without that metal strain feel. Been doing it that way ever since and haven't had a leak call back in 6 months. Anyone else ever get a tip like that from someone who's been doing this since before we had digital torque wrenches?

2 comments

2 Comments

webb.ben16d ago

Yeah my old man drilled that into me 20 years ago. Old school guys know their stuff.

johnson.faith16d ago

My first week on the job I over-torqued a flange so bad the foreman called it "artwork" (not a compliment, trust me).