The Steamboating Forum

I just bought some ball valves rated at 150 swp, should use these on the boiler after my 2" long schedule 80 nipples? or should i use the jenkins steam disc valves i had from previous use? the jenkins look better.

While ball valves can be found with the proper steam working pressure, I prefer to use brand name gate or globe valves (steam rated) for the main isolation valve. My last two steamers used 150SWP ball valves as the engine throttle, and were satisfactory, but I was always mistrusting the relatively soft seating materials in typical ball valves. A hard seat globe or gate valve is my choice, but the ball valves are OK too. Be sure to use "brand name" valves, the ones I have found in discount home supply houses seem somewhat sub-standard for steam service.