Question about threaded unions
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Question about threaded unions
I recently ordered some fittings from a local plumbing supply place and in my order were a few different sized threaded unions. When they came in some were copper and brass as are most that I have seen before and the others are all brass. Just wondering if either or both of these are safe to use?
Re: Question about threaded unions
Both look new. Follow simple pickling procedure on both and you should be fine. Check packages to make sure they are low lead brass or lead free brass. If your further concerned you could coat all the brass in the vapor path with solder. But that's just way overkill in my opinion.
Yak
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Re: Question about threaded unions
You can buy stainless ones for about the same price.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
I give the seat 1 or 2 wraps of plumbers tape, cheap insurance against contract and leaks. Keeps from sticking tight, tooTruckinbutch wrote:That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
if they weep a little, lap them a little with some toothpaste and they seal quite well.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:I give the seat 1 or 2 wraps of plumbers tape, cheap insurance against contract and leaks. Keeps from sticking tight, tooTruckinbutch wrote:That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
be water my friend
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Re: Question about threaded unions
cob wrote, "if they weep a little, lap them a little with some toothpaste and they seal quite well."
God, what that stuff must do to your TEETH!
Geoff
God, what that stuff must do to your TEETH!
Geoff
The Baker
Re: Question about threaded unions
they should be fine. if you got them from a plumbing supply house i'm sure the brass is no lead. you can use teflon tape too, instead of tooth paste. not as messy. remeber, that they should go threads to seat with the flow.
I'm just the bank and the mule
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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Re: Question about threaded unions
Hi Nuntius. Just asking for clarification on this. Does this mean that the end with the nut is the down stream piece and the bare threaded end is upstream?nuntius01 wrote:. remeber, that they should go threads to seat with the flow.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
toothpaste is only recommended as a LAPPING COMPOUND for the seats not a sealant.nuntius01 wrote:they should be fine. if you got them from a plumbing supply house i'm sure the brass is no lead. you can use teflon tape too, instead of tooth paste. not as messy. remeber, that they should go threads to seat with the flow.
all my lapping compounds are petroleum based and not food grade.
toothpaste contains very finely ground calcium carbonate, is obviously food grade,
and will work well as a lapping compound.
I don't use brass, I won't use brass.
no amount of pickling will change brass into stainless steel or copper,
and no amount of words (lead free) on paper or in other print media
will convince me that it is safe to use a product that some supplier
will tell you anything to get you to buy. to much new old stock out there
be water my friend
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Re: Question about threaded unions
Saltbush Bill wrote:You can buy stainless ones for about the same price.
+1! Go stainless!
long live Oldsmobile Aleros
Re: Question about threaded unions
yes you have that correct on threads upstream. doesnt normally matter. however if you have it in a horizontal or any back pressure ypu may see it try to weep out of the joint.
I'm just the bank and the mule
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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Re: Question about threaded unions
I bought 1" tri-clamps on eBay pretty cheap. 3/4" copper slipped right in, no tape, no threads, no wrenches!
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Re: Question about threaded unions
Thanks nuntius. I use a 3/4" copper union with brass nut in a horizontal config, and apparently I have it in backwards. Oops!nuntius01 wrote:yes you have that correct on threads upstream. doesnt normally matter. however if you have it in a horizontal or any back pressure ypu may see it try to weep out of the joint.
I'll keep a close eye for any weeping and switch it if it gives me any trouble.
Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
Re: Question about threaded unions
try teflon tape first. its cheap and usally will fix it
I'm just the bank and the mule
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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Re: Question about threaded unions
Another word to the wise regarding unions . Don't dry fit an entire run and then solder everything in place unless you are a pro .
Vertical unions have a way of becoming soldered solid . (Don't ask me how I know this . )
Vertical unions have a way of becoming soldered solid . (Don't ask me how I know this . )
If you ain't the lead dog in the team , the scenery never changes . Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
Re: Question about threaded unions
Thanks for all the info guys. I pickled them and soldered them into my build. I will definitely be wrapping my threads in Teflon tape as well. I would have loved all copper or stainless but the place couldn't bring them in. Could have ordered online I suppose but but didn't want to get hit with more shipping since these guys didn't charge me any and it's where I bough my copper.
The build is coming along well I will post some pics in my build thread soon. Got it all together and did my vinegar run to find one tiny pin hole leak on one of the unions. Haven't soldered brass before guess it take a lot more heat to really draw in the solder. Oh well I'll pull it apart and fix it and re clean away.
The build is coming along well I will post some pics in my build thread soon. Got it all together and did my vinegar run to find one tiny pin hole leak on one of the unions. Haven't soldered brass before guess it take a lot more heat to really draw in the solder. Oh well I'll pull it apart and fix it and re clean away.
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Re: Question about threaded unions
I use a stainless union/nut and support my liebig with an adjustable microphone stand. I only hand tighten the union, so I don't need tools to undo it. Haven't used teflon tape and don't get leaks.