joidevie Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hi all..I've recently re plumbed the kitchen & bathroom in 20mm Multicouche, and will soon need to connect it up to an existing 16mm copper pipe. I'll want to fit a stop tap (I mean stop c@ck but the forum software won't allow the word to be used!) at this point as well. The multicouche will end in a chrome 1/2" male..After the cold spell I was somewhat shocked (but not surprised) to find one of the 'bicone' compression fittings I'd used in 14mm to plug an old outlet had completely split - the 1/2" nut itself had split in half (around the whole circumference), and no the olive which I had heard might happen.The brass fitting I'd used was a brico shed 14mm raccorde a bicone and looking at it (and a few others I've used) the nut is of quite 'lightweight' brass and feels 'brittle'..Seeing as I merely need one good fitting to join all the Multicouche to a single 16mm copper pipe (with a stop tap if possible) I am happy look for something superior (or at least the best pro brand) that will give me years of peace of mind.. I am no blow torch expert and have had mixed (mostly inconsistent) results with French hot fittings which I believe need a hotter flame etc..So ideally I'm looking for a top notch source of a good 16mm compression fitting..Any suggestions?Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a cheap easily replaceable link isn't such a bad thing. If that fitting hadn't gone what else would have? If it gets that cold somethings got to give. I get regular callouts for broken plumbing during the cold weather and very grateful I am too. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 You're not wrong there..When I returned to the house in the middle of the -8c spell (which is pretty cold for the South!) the bathroom sink had the most enormous icicle running from the tap to the basin where the tap washer had burst, which thankfully let the pressure out of the pipes.. Avoiding more severe problems.I have since insulated the bathroom, but am still looking for a solution to the pipes that run through one or two out buildings.. Which never went above -4c during that period.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Can you use a Heat tape and insulation? self regulating, low energy and not expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Now that is exactly the stuff I'm looking for and at a reasonable price too.Many thanks T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 [quote user="Théière"]Can you use a Heat tape and insulation? self regulating, low energy and not expensive.[/quote]What about this? Ingenious, though maybe not necessary as the cold 'thing' is only meant to happen every 50 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thats the same thing?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 You're right.. Sorry - I didn't check your link..Probably useful for frequently cold areas.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyps Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 If you want the absolute best fittings you probably need to go to Swagelok - http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?SEARCH=/search/Straights/id-10002045/type-1&item=20b6dcb5-5a04-42f1-9df7-a5d3fd3672c3 - they are somewhat overengineered for domestic use but your tube will burst under pressure before the fitting gives way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 [quote user="andyps"]If you want the absolute best fittings you probably need to go to Swagelok - http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?SEARCH=/search/Straights/id-10002045/type-1&item=20b6dcb5-5a04-42f1-9df7-a5d3fd3672c3 - they are somewhat overengineered for domestic use but your tube will burst under pressure before the fitting gives way![/quote]Gosh.. Thanks.Very interesting stuff. Haven't 'registered' to check pricing.. But still looking at the abbreviations and codes for what might be the equivalent to an 'olive joint in 16mm to 1/2 or 3/4 male etc.. Lots of bewildering options? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave&Olive Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 [quote user="andyps"]If you want the absolute best fittings you probably need to go to Swagelok - http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?SEARCH=/search/Straights/id-10002045/type-1&item=20b6dcb5-5a04-42f1-9df7-a5d3fd3672c3 - they are somewhat overengineered for domestic use but your tube will burst under pressure before the fitting gives way![/quote]hi ok If you want to go the swagelok route ... you would be far better going 1864 or even ISP fittings Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Better to have something thats easy and cheap to replace than a fitting that is so strong that the pipe bursts. A pipe burst may wll be out of sight or mean breaking into a wall to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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