25mm / 1" poly fittings - how do i....

[h4lcy0n]

Ok,

I have a 1" ball valve & poly elbow fitting. I want to be able to attach the elbow fitting so that when it is tight it makes a left turn (see picture below).



The only problem is that every time I attach the elbow and tighten it, it ends up facing upwards (again see below).


Now there must be a really easy solution that I am overlooking, or do I apply massive amounts of thread tape so that it wont tighten as much?

Thanks!
Aaron

[Barry_White]

Get a 1" lock nut and put it on the elbow and tighten it up against the ball valve.

Once you put it into the pipe line it shouldn't do that anyway.

[bricks]

With poly fitting, you do need more thread tape. I normally use about 20-30 laps depending on the fitting.

Leave the first couple of threads relatively free of tape ( 1-5 laps) and put the tape on so that i forms a kind of cone shape, ie thicker at the back than front.

When you tighten the fitting shouldn't be able to go all the way to the end of the threads. just stop turning when you get to the position you need and you feel its grabbed enough.

Plastic fittings sometimes flex and leak under pressure that is why i always use more thread tape, on brass you only need about 10 laps.

[Vernonv]

I'm with bricks ... use more thread tape and wrap it in the cone shape.

I just did exactly the same thing on a tank a couple of weeks ago. The first time i put it on there wasn't quite enough tape on and there was a very small leak. I pulled the fitting off and applied more tape. Leak gone.

[h4lcy0n]

Get a 1" lock nut and put it on the elbow and tighten it up against the ball valve.

Once you put it into the pipe line it shouldn't do that anyway.

Ok thanks I never thought of a lock nut.

I don't quite get what you mean about once in the pipe it shouldn't do that?, I have screwed the elbow all the way in previously and it pointed up?

Cheers,
Aaron

[Vernonv]

I don't quite get what you mean about once in the pipe it shouldn't do that?

I think Barry is saying that the fitting won't be able to move (turn) once the pipe is attached to it.

I have screwed the elbow all the way in previously and it pointed up?

Put more tape on (in the manner bricks has described). If you put enough on, you should find that when screwing it on it begins to feel tight (but is not yet screwed fully home). Then just turn it to the angle you want and leave it. If you can easily screw the fitting fully home, then you need more tape.

[h4lcy0n]

There is about 5 laps on it at the moment so I'll just start building up the end of the thread.

Thanks for all the replies, I thought it had to be something simple.

I Appericate everyone's help

[davo2310]

I find white teflon is usually better for plastic fittings as well.

[Vernonv]

I find white teflon is usually better for plastic fittings as well.

Why?

Our local irrigation suppliers recommend pink tape ... although I'm not exactly sure why. I've used both white and pink tape on plastic fittings and haven't found the pink to be very different to the white, other than it "feels" a bit thicker/stronger.

[h4lcy0n]

Another 15 laps later and here's the finished product, there is a nice snug seal now & the elbow is facing the right way. Thanks again

[davo2310]

[quote=Vernonv;706965]Why?


I guess its a personal preference, I find it less likely to cross thread with poly to brass joins, and It seems to seal better.

[wonderplumb]

Or a little smear of loctite 567 over the teflon works well.

[h4lcy0n]

OK next Question

Do I need to use teflon tape the end of the poly pipe to ensure a good seal when connecting it into the fitting, or as long as the the cut is square all should be okay?

Cheers,
Aaron

[Vernonv]

No. As you say, just cut it square.

[h4lcy0n]

No. As you say, just cut it square.

Any tricks to cutting it square?, the mire box / hacksaw doesn't seem to do so well & i don't have a pipe cutter.