How to make large connections?

[PinkyPerky]

Hi
I am about to plumb in a log boiler and accumulator tanks. The boiler as 2" iron flow and return and the accumulators have 11/4" connections. The Laddomat has 35mm conections. I am going to use 2" malleable iron elbows at the boiler with a malleable iron 2" to 11/4" reducer and then use 35mm copper tube throughout. The largest plumbing fittings I have used in the past were 28mm both solder and compression, and it is a long time since I used Boss White and hemp.
What would you recommend?

 

[Nat]

A few tight wraps of loctite 55 in the right direction and you can't go wrong, mate.

 

[shorticus]

18s or even 24s, boss white and hemp 'cause you can always give a tweak backwards if need be with no worry of a leak, silly string is cleaner but it's never been my preference. Sounds like an interesting job, post some pics...

 

[PinkyPerky]

A few tight wraps of loctite 55 in the right direction and you can't go wrong, mate.

Hi Nat
How many turns and clockwise viewing end of male fitting?

 

[PinkyPerky]

18s or even 24s, boss white and hemp 'cause you can always give a tweak backwards if need be with no worry of a leak, silly string is cleaner but it's never been my preference. Sounds like an interesting job, post some pics...

Hi Shorticus
What is the 18s and 24s?
I take it silly string is Loctite 55? Loctite 55 does say you can move after assembly
Someone suggested using PTFE with PTFE paste - any comments?

 

[fuzzy]

Hi
I am about to plumb in a log boiler and accumulator tanks. The boiler as 2" iron flow and return and the accumulators have 11/4" connections. The Laddomat has 35mm conections. I am going to use 2" malleable iron elbows at the boiler with a malleable iron 2" to 11/4" reducer and then use 35mm copper tube throughout. The largest plumbing fittings I have used in the past were 28mm both solder and compression, and it is a long time since I used Boss White and hemp.
What would you recommend?

defo use boss white and hemp, great stuff, you cannot go wrong, use your 24" stilsons

 

[fuzzy]

Hi Shorticus
What is the 18s and 24s?
I take it silly string is Loctite 55? Loctite 55 does say you can move after assembly
Someone suggested using PTFE with PTFE paste - any comments?

stilsons, or pipe wrench

 

[fuzzy]

 

[PinkyPerky]

Hi fuzzy
I didn't know the jargon but did know what a stilson was:yes:

 

[shorticus]

Hi Shorticus
What is the 18s and 24s?
I take it silly string is Loctite 55? Loctite 55 does say you can move after assembly
Someone suggested using PTFE with PTFE paste - any comments?

As Fuzzy said, Stilsons, the number indicates the length in inches ergo the oompff you can get on 'em.

We call it silly string 'cause you can't break it with you hands like hemp, we all forget from time to time and we all have the missing digits to show for it :mad2: seriously, it's like trying to break piano wire!!

Don't use ptfe on barrel or iron fittings, even the slightest backward movement can cause it to leak

 

[shorticus]

Hi fuzzy
I didn't know the jargon but did know what a stilson was:yes:

doh! now my last post looks patronising, sorry mate!

 

[PinkyPerky]

Don't use ptfe on barrel or iron fittings, even the slightest backward movement can cause it to leak
Thanks - thats where experience kicks in!!
How much hemp do I use and how do I lockit so it doesn't rotate on the male fitting?

 

[Nat]

Hi NatHow many turns and clockwise viewing end of male fitting?

It tells you on the roll how many turns you need for each size of pipe. Yes clockwise as you look at the end if pipe. I swear by the stuff and it's a lot less messy than using boss white and hemp in my opinion. After you've wound the pipe in use a hacksaw blade to cut off excess thread and then give it a blast with your blowtorch to burn off any last bits. Leaves a lovely neat finish.

 

[shorticus]

Don't use ptfe on barrel or iron fittings, even the slightest backward movement can cause it to leak
Thanks - thats where experience kicks in!!
How much hemp do I use and how do I lockit so it doesn't rotate on the male fitting?

ah, now that's a little tricky to answer without actually showing you. There's a technique whereby you draw the hemp out of the hank or off the roll into small strands winding onto the thread clockwise and ensuring that the threads are filled, how much to use is really an experience thing, friction stops it from being pushed off if it's put on properly, then a smere of the white stuff...followed by cleaning your finger on your strides, you'll smell lovely trust me:charming:

 

[quality]

Use Loctite 577 Its easier than any tape, thread or hemp

 

[shorticus]

Use Loctite 577 Its easier than any tape, thread or hemp

interesting! do you have to de-grease/clean the threads first?

 

[quality]

Yes make sure both male and female are clean

On threads over 1" just put 4 equal spots on

Its never failed me

 

[shorticus]

Yes make sure both male and female are clean

On threads over 1" just put 4 equal spots on

Its never failed me

cheers quality, certainly looks the go

 

[dontknowitall]

My preference would be Loctite 55 and La-Co Slictite then stilsons. Then asking my mate to tighten them up properly as I'm not strong or heavy enough.

 

[unguided1]

If its any help I usualy drag a hacksaw across the threads to prevent slippage, and I prefer boss white and hemp on any fitting over 3/4"
The only problem with Bosswhite and Hemp is after its been in for 30 years it can be hard to get back out, I recall trying to get some 3" steel out of an old converted Robin Hood boiler when I was an apprentice and with the help of some steel tube I managed to bend the handle on a pair of 42s!!!!!!!!!!!! got a hell of a rocket for that

 

[Gray0689]

Loctite 55 it's the dogs much prefer than hemp and bosswhite (flax and paste)