Question about threaded unions

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Plc Ryan
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Question about threaded unions

Post by Plc Ryan »

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?
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by yakattack »

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.

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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by Saltbush Bill »

You can buy stainless ones for about the same price.
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by cob »

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

Post by Truckinbutch »

cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by ShineonCrazyDiamond »

Truckinbutch wrote:
cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .
I give the seat 1 or 2 wraps of plumbers tape, cheap insurance against contract and leaks. Keeps from sticking tight, too
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by cob »

ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:
Truckinbutch wrote:
cob wrote:all copper is also about the same price. the nut is brass but the other two pieces are copper.
That is my choice . The brass compression nut is never in contact with vapor .
I give the seat 1 or 2 wraps of plumbers tape, cheap insurance against contract and leaks. Keeps from sticking tight, too
if they weep a little, lap them a little with some toothpaste and they seal quite well.
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by The Baker »

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!

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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by nuntius01 »

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.
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post your still pics here
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by OtisT »

nuntius01 wrote:. remeber, that they should go threads to seat with the flow.
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?
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by cob »

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.
toothpaste is only recommended as a LAPPING COMPOUND for the seats not a sealant.

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
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by aircarbonarc »

Saltbush Bill wrote:You can buy stainless ones for about the same price.

+1! Go stainless!
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by nuntius01 »

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
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

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

Post by OtisT »

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.
Thanks nuntius. I use a 3/4" copper union with brass nut in a horizontal config, and apparently I have it in backwards. Oops!

I'll keep a close eye for any weeping and switch it if it gives me any trouble.
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by nuntius01 »

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
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by Truckinbutch »

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 . :oops: )
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Plc Ryan
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by Plc Ryan »

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.
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Re: Question about threaded unions

Post by SaltyStaves »

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.
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