Flexible wedge gate valve converiosn to solid wedge 2

[GilbertoCastaneda]

I have a supplier that tells me that flexible wedge gate valves can be converted to solid wedge merely by filling the voids with weld and machine the wedge again.
Is this possible?
Is this the only way?
What would be a good way to do it?
Cheers to all

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'm assuming it's a really big valve, so just replacing it is not an option.

If the working fluid is water or something similar, you could fill the intra- wedge cavity with well fitted dried hardwood. [ Some paper machinery knives are retained with dried ironwood wedges that will grip for decades if kept wet. ]

I shouldn't have to point out that if you make the wedge rigid, you may experience leakage or body distortion or wedge sticking problems that you didn't have before.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JimCasey]

Maybe I have a limited imagination, but I cannot think of a single reason why you would want to do this.....

 

[MikeHalloran]

Upon re- reading, it appears the OP is talking about a supplier who has a boatload of flexible wedge gate valves, and proposes to convert them to solid wedge to meet the OP's specifications.

They must have been _really_ cheap.

After welding and machining, they will still be really cheap valves ... without a warranty.

If a supplier proposed something like that to me, I don't think I'd ever speak to them again.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JimCasey]

If I were a supplier in that situation, I would be offering to let them have the upgraded flex-wedge for the Solid wedge price. I confess limited experience with Gate valves but I know NO advantages of a solid wedge over a flex-wedge.