dpb wrote:
Chuck wrote:
I got a union to help connect up a whole house filter since the
filter has threaded inlets and it had some elbows nearby. I
figured this would make it possible to remove stuff later since I
could unscrew things without cutting all the pipe. The thing is,
this stinking union will not stop leaking at the compression spot. I've
cranked it down almost to the limits of what I'm capable of
doing. Is this right? Is it normal to crank the snot out of these
things, or do I have a faulty union or something?

If it's one of them CheapChinese fittings it's probably the fitting --
I've had nothing but trouble w/ 'em.

If the imperfections are small enough a layer of permatex or similar
may be enough; some of the ones I've had have large enough pitting or
other defects to be clearly visible--there's no hope w/ them.

I have polished the mating surfaces with fine steel wool then wiped some
pipe dope over the area before tightinging them up. Since I started doing
this I have had no leakers.