Plumbing tips (from me, that's coz I'm a plumber),
Not sure if anyone really wants to here this but I'd just thought I'd throw in a few cents worth.
There are a few standard connection types, and then there are some proprietary connection types.
For example, with copper tubing, there are standard sizings, with many manufacturers making tubing to suit - most common are 1/2 inch and 3/4. Common standard connection type is called a compression fitting - 1/2" or 3/4". The connections are generally made of brass as copper is too maleable to hold a thread under pressure. So you would (normally for water) use a brass compression fitting to join two pieces of copper. Not much point in using a stainless compression fitting for copper tubing - but you do need flaring block to make any compression end to a piece of copper tubing (remember to put the nut on first).
Next standard fitting is (in Australia) called a BSP thread - if anyone didn't know what this means, it literally means British Standard Pipe thread pattern. So a half inch fitting uses certain thread dimensions, there always matching 1/2 inch male threads and 1/2" female threads. But not necessarily the same millimeterage (is that a word?) as the BSP thread pattern for 3/4". I only say this so that if you were tapping a thread into a pipe or a vessel, the thread pattern increases as the pipe diameter increases. Hence the reason for BSP standards. BSP threads are matched to any type of fitting eg; a 1 x 3/4 inch brass reducing bush has the exact same thread as a 1 x 3/4 inch pvc reducing bush. That means a 1/2 inch brass female socket would accept a 1/2 inch male thread from brass, pvc, poly, stainless.... getting it?
Just be mindfull of thread standards because in Australia we use BSP standards, and in the land of da yankee, they use something like UNC which means United Stated Convention or something - hey it might be the same as BSP not sure...
Other standards probably include things like push-fit hose fittings - most 1/2" (12mm) garden hoses fit each other don't they.
I guess dirty old hose barbs are standards too (I hates them!) They accept a hose of any material provided it has the right ID (internal diameter). But you do need a hose clamp for it to hang on tight.
This is were proprietary fittings take over, if you wanted to make a better fitting, make it so that no one elses fittings can attach to it - make more money. For example swagelock stainless fittings are awesome for joining stainless tube. Remembering that the 1/2 inch stainless tube itself is made to a standard, hence my 1/2" tube benders which I mainly use for copper still will bend stainless tubing well - and it looks great too. You not only need the swagelock fittings, but you also need the swagelock tool to tell yo if you have done it up tight enough. Hence proprietary dollar making.
There are other proprietary fittings out there like some of the quick-fit push in food grade hose fittings. These kick but over hose barbs (my opinion only) as you dont need a hose clamp, but you have to buy their brand if you wanna use them. If you wanna use the food grade hose, and cheap out on the fittings, use a hose barb from any old manufacturer.
Going around slightly in circles, but I hope I have started to clarify in some peoples mind what some of the fittings mean.
I also wanted to welcome myself to this forum, so welcome WilBier, and many more plumbing lessons to come, should anyone need the know
Not sure if anyone really wants to here this but I'd just thought I'd throw in a few cents worth.
There are a few standard connection types, and then there are some proprietary connection types.
For example, with copper tubing, there are standard sizings, with many manufacturers making tubing to suit - most common are 1/2 inch and 3/4. Common standard connection type is called a compression fitting - 1/2" or 3/4". The connections are generally made of brass as copper is too maleable to hold a thread under pressure. So you would (normally for water) use a brass compression fitting to join two pieces of copper. Not much point in using a stainless compression fitting for copper tubing - but you do need flaring block to make any compression end to a piece of copper tubing (remember to put the nut on first).
Next standard fitting is (in Australia) called a BSP thread - if anyone didn't know what this means, it literally means British Standard Pipe thread pattern. So a half inch fitting uses certain thread dimensions, there always matching 1/2 inch male threads and 1/2" female threads. But not necessarily the same millimeterage (is that a word?) as the BSP thread pattern for 3/4". I only say this so that if you were tapping a thread into a pipe or a vessel, the thread pattern increases as the pipe diameter increases. Hence the reason for BSP standards. BSP threads are matched to any type of fitting eg; a 1 x 3/4 inch brass reducing bush has the exact same thread as a 1 x 3/4 inch pvc reducing bush. That means a 1/2 inch brass female socket would accept a 1/2 inch male thread from brass, pvc, poly, stainless.... getting it?
Just be mindfull of thread standards because in Australia we use BSP standards, and in the land of da yankee, they use something like UNC which means United Stated Convention or something - hey it might be the same as BSP not sure...
Other standards probably include things like push-fit hose fittings - most 1/2" (12mm) garden hoses fit each other don't they.
I guess dirty old hose barbs are standards too (I hates them!) They accept a hose of any material provided it has the right ID (internal diameter). But you do need a hose clamp for it to hang on tight.
This is were proprietary fittings take over, if you wanted to make a better fitting, make it so that no one elses fittings can attach to it - make more money. For example swagelock stainless fittings are awesome for joining stainless tube. Remembering that the 1/2 inch stainless tube itself is made to a standard, hence my 1/2" tube benders which I mainly use for copper still will bend stainless tubing well - and it looks great too. You not only need the swagelock fittings, but you also need the swagelock tool to tell yo if you have done it up tight enough. Hence proprietary dollar making.
There are other proprietary fittings out there like some of the quick-fit push in food grade hose fittings. These kick but over hose barbs (my opinion only) as you dont need a hose clamp, but you have to buy their brand if you wanna use them. If you wanna use the food grade hose, and cheap out on the fittings, use a hose barb from any old manufacturer.
Going around slightly in circles, but I hope I have started to clarify in some peoples mind what some of the fittings mean.
I also wanted to welcome myself to this forum, so welcome WilBier, and many more plumbing lessons to come, should anyone need the know
