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Dutchman

Dutchman

Dutchman

(OP)
For many years I have been wondering where the term "dutchman" came form.  Every time a new engineer comes along, they ask me about the origins and I have to say, it is a very old term.  Does anybody have any insight?

For those that have not heard of the term, it is used for a new piece of tube that replaces a damaged section of tube in a Steam Generator.

I have heard some people say it is from the fairy tale about the dutch boy who stopped the damn leak with his finger.

RE: Dutchman

It's also used for a pin with the axis between 2 surfaces,  in shear or for locating.  It gives much more shear area.
[i.e., DxL, vs. .785xD^2]

RE: Dutchman

Ok. The term "dutchman" could also apply to word and masonary repairs where a splice is installed to match orginal form and function. This repair term has apparently been carried over to other componets and equipment over the years.

With this being said, I would expect that this term orginated from dutch repair folks who worked with either wood or masonary (this is probably as good of a guess as the dutch boy fairly tale).

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