On Wed, 3 Nov 2004 11:30:09 -0000, "Frank Stacey"
wrote:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 3 Nov 2004 09:32:27 -0000, "Frank Stacey"
wrote:

For various reasons I find that a plumbing job on which I have embarked
involves using plastic (HEP) pipe for various awkward runs with copper at
either end. Am I right to assume this can be done without restriction?

In some places I am using straight metal compression couplers between
copper
and plastic with an insert in the plastic pipe. In other places I have
plastic elbows with plastic on one branch and copper or chrome plated
copper
on the other. Are there any gotchas I should know about?

Check with the manufacturers, but generally push fit fittings for
plastic are OK with copper, but not with chrome plated copper where
they are apparently prone to slide off.

If you have to use chrome plated pipe, then it is better to transition
via a compression fitting and short length of plain copper tube to the
push fit fitting.

It's also important to follow the manufacturer's recommendation and
use a proper pipe cutter for the plastic and not a hack saw.



I have a cutter for copper pipe, one which is rotated round the pipe as a
circular blade is pushed gradually into it. Is that acceptable - it
certainly didn't cost as much as £15?

Frank


Not really, Frank.

I did try this once as an experiment, just to see what would happen,
but it tended to crush and mangle the end of the pipe, especially if
the cut is near the end as it would be for trimming.

It's best to use a proper plastic pipe cutter. I've seen these in
B&Q etc. or plumber's merchants have them. An example is
www.bes.ltd.uk catalogue number 13489.

Another thing to look at when buying pipe is that some brands have
marks at measured intervals that correspond to the push depth of the
fitting. Speedfit have these and possibly others. The idea is that
you cut on a line and then push in the pipe to the next line to ensure
proper insertion depth.



--

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl