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Posted to uk.d-i-y
Lobster
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?

Thanks
David
  #2   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.
Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?

I wondered about that. A lot of the fittings from the plumbers merchant
come with copper ones for some reason, but you can only buy copper ones
in large quantities and the sheds only seem to have brass ones.
Brass are harder, and apparently give more support to the pipes.
Copper are softer, and seem to require less tightening.
I'm sure both should work OK.

Anyone else enlighten us on this ?

Simon.

  #3   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
powerstation
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings


wrote in message
oups.com...
I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.
Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?

I wondered about that. A lot of the fittings from the plumbers merchant
come with copper ones for some reason, but you can only buy copper ones
in large quantities and the sheds only seem to have brass ones.
Brass are harder, and apparently give more support to the pipes.
Copper are softer, and seem to require less tightening.
I'm sure both should work OK.

I think copper ones are ok on plastic (with the insert) but not brass these
are too hard


  #4   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
The3rd Earl Of Derby
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

Lobster wrote:
I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?

Thanks
David


Brass for gas couplings i.e fires ect and copper for water pipes i.e taps
ect.

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite


  #5   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

Brass for gas couplings i.e fires ect and copper for water pipes i.e taps ect.
Doesn't explain why its much harder to get the copper ones than brass,
round my way anyway.
You would have thought more water is done than gas. I think compression
for gas is not
a good idea anyway.
Simon



  #6   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Tony Williams
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

In article .com,
wrote:

I wondered about that. A lot of the fittings from the plumbers
merchant come with copper ones for some reason, but you can only
buy copper ones in large quantities and the sheds only seem to
have brass ones. Brass are harder, and apparently give more
support to the pipes. Copper are softer, and seem to require less
tightening. I'm sure both should work OK.


Copper olives seem to come with fittings which are
all plastic. Eg, Some Triton electric showers.
Instructions= "hand tighten only" On our bleeding
mains pressure? You must be joking.

I notice also the copper olives don't work very
well if you try to use them a second time. Probably
work-hardening of the copper.

--
Tony Williams.
  #8   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

You would have thought more water is done than gas. I think
compression for gas is not
a good idea anyway.

Why?

Dunno !
I thought I heard it said on this group, and decided that a small leak
is more
likely with gas/compression, especially if the pipes got stressed.
But I was simply justifying to myself what I had heard !
Simon.

  #9   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings


"Lobster" wrote in message
...

I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?


Copper is best used where the compression fitting is used as a disconnection
device at an appliance. The brass olives can indent the pipe, copper rarely
do this. On each disconnection and re-connection a new copper olive is
used.



  #10   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Broadback
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Lobster" wrote in message
...


I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?



Copper is best used where the compression fitting is used as a disconnection
device at an appliance. The brass olives can indent the pipe, copper rarely
do this. On each disconnection and re-connection a new copper olive is
used.



Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


  #11   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"Broadback" wrote in message
...
Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Lobster" wrote in message
...


I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?


Copper is best used where the compression fitting is used as a

disconnection
device at an appliance. The brass olives can indent the pipe, copper

rarely
do this. On each disconnection and re-connection a new copper olive is
used.


Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


The copper olives are pretty easy to remove. Monument sell an olive remover
tool for 15mm only, for...£25.


  #12   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
TheTaffia
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

When I had a gas fitter around to fit the hob (freakin regs!), I
questioned his use of compression fittings instead of solder, and he
said that they have started to use compression more because "They don't
melt in a fire".

  #13   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Liquorice
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:05:17 +0000, Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Two methods:

Junior hacksaw and big flat bladed screwdriver. Cut through the olive
being careful not to touch the pipe. Put screwdriver into slot and
twist to expand/break the olive. Be aware of sharp bits of metal on
the broken olive.

Get an olive removal tool:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=6610
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=6611
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=122479

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



  #14   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.com...
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:05:17 +0000, Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Two methods:

Junior hacksaw and big flat bladed screwdriver. Cut through the olive
being careful not to touch the pipe. Put screwdriver into slot and
twist to expand/break the olive. Be aware of sharp bits of metal on
the broken olive.

Get an olive removal tool:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=6610
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=6611
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=122479


Copper olives come off very easily.

  #15   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Andy Wade
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings

Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Using a junior hacksaw cut diagonally almost but not quite right through
the olive - stop just before you'd be cutting into the pipe. Then
insert a flat blade screwdriver into the kerf and twist. The olive will
then ping off. Easy.

--
Andy


  #16   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
raden
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings

In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Lobster" wrote in message
...


I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?


Copper is best used where the compression fitting is used as a

disconnection
device at an appliance. The brass olives can indent the pipe, copper

rarely
do this. On each disconnection and re-connection a new copper olive is
used.


Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


The copper olives are pretty easy to remove. Monument sell an olive remover
tool for 15mm only, for...£25.

But you'd use a hacksaw, wouldn't you

*

--
geoff
  #17   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Liquorice
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:08:25 GMT, raden wrote:

The copper olives are pretty easy to remove. Monument sell an
olive remover tool for 15mm only, for...£25.


But you'd use a hacksaw, wouldn't you


Time is money. 30s with a proper tool and no pipe damage or a couple
of minutes hacksaw and possible pipe damage. If I was a pro plumber I
know which I'd use and it wouldn't have lots of little teeth.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



  #19   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"raden" wrote in message
...
In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Lobster" wrote in message
...


I've noticed two different types of these; some are apparently made

of
brass and have a completely rounded external profile, whereas others
seem to be copper, and have flat chamfers at either end.

Can anyone tell me the significance of the two species, and are they
interchangeable in different compression fittings?


Copper is best used where the compression fitting is used as a

disconnection
device at an appliance. The brass olives can indent the pipe, copper

rarely
do this. On each disconnection and re-connection a new copper olive

is
used.

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


The copper olives are pretty easy to remove. Monument sell an olive

remover
tool for 15mm only, for...£25.

But you'd use a hacksaw, wouldn't you


Maxie, an axe.

  #20   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.com...
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:08:25 GMT, raden wrote:

Time is money. 30s with a proper tool and no pipe damage or a couple
of minutes hacksaw and possible pipe damage. If I was a pro plumber I
know which I'd use and it wouldn't have lots of little teeth.


Yep about £25 for the Monument olive puller.




  #21   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
The3rd Earl Of Derby
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.com...
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:08:25 GMT, raden wrote:

Time is money. 30s with a proper tool and no pipe damage or a couple
of minutes hacksaw and possible pipe damage. If I was a pro plumber I
know which I'd use and it wouldn't have lots of little teeth.


Yep about £25 for the Monument olive puller.


I heard Brutus went to mount olive?
and Popeye knocked seven bells out of him.

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite


  #22   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.com...

Time is money. 30s with a proper tool and no pipe damage or a couple
of minutes hacksaw and possible pipe damage. If I was a pro plumber I
know which I'd use and it wouldn't have lots of little teeth.


But they don't Most use cheap tools designed the 1920s.

  #23   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


"TheTaffia" wrote in message
oups.com...

When I had a gas fitter around to fit the hob (freakin regs!), I
questioned his use of compression fittings instead of solder, and he
said that they have started to use compression more because "They don't
melt in a fire".


They only use them around appliances.

  #24   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Chris Hodges
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings

Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:08:25 GMT, raden wrote:


The copper olives are pretty easy to remove. Monument sell an
olive remover tool for 15mm only, for...£25.


But you'd use a hacksaw, wouldn't you



Time is money. 30s with a proper tool and no pipe damage or a couple
of minutes hacksaw and possible pipe damage. If I was a pro plumber I
know which I'd use and it wouldn't have lots of little teeth.


A cheapo dremel clone to nearly split the olive and then a screwdriver
to finish the job (twist open the slot made by the dremel) is quite
quick and easy (and there was no room for a hacksaw).

Chris

--
Spamtrap in use
To email replace 127.0.0.1 with blueyonder dot co dot uk
  #25   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings


Andy Wade wrote:
Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Using a junior hacksaw cut diagonally almost but not quite right through
the olive - stop just before you'd be cutting into the pipe. Then
insert a flat blade screwdriver into the kerf and twist. The olive will
then ping off. Easy.

--
Andy


I do the same (ish) but it's rarely straightforward. I find the lack of
room to manouevre the saw blade and just getting a starting cut without
the saw slipping always comes into it.

If these olive pullers are as good as I've heard people say they are
then they will definitely be on my tool list.



  #27   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
Posts: n/a
Default Olives for compression fittings

Dave Liquorice wrote:

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:05:17 +0000, Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Two methods:

Junior hacksaw and big flat bladed screwdriver. Cut through the olive
being careful not to touch the pipe. Put screwdriver into slot and
twist to expand/break the olive. Be aware of sharp bits of metal on
the broken olive.

Get an olive removal tool:


Sometimes you can ease the olive off by using waterpump pliers to pull the
back of the nut towards the end of the pipe, first at one side then the
opposite.
  #28   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Doctor Drivel
 
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Default Olives for compression fittings


wrote in message
...
Dave Liquorice wrote:

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:05:17 +0000, Broadback wrote:

Yes but is there an easy way to get the old ones off?


Two methods:

Junior hacksaw and big flat bladed screwdriver. Cut through the olive
being careful not to touch the pipe. Put screwdriver into slot and
twist to expand/break the olive. Be aware of sharp bits of metal on
the broken olive.

Get an olive removal tool:


Sometimes you can ease the olive off by using waterpump pliers to pull the
back of the nut towards the end of the pipe, first at one side then the
opposite.


The operative word is "sometimes".

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