Can I Swage Gas Pipe?

[oz-plumber]

Just out of interest - off topic.

What are your copper tube wall thicknesses?
We measure our pipe OD.
1/2" - 0.91 mm
3/4" - 1.02 mm
1" - 1.22 mm

We always expand copper ( swage ) and have never had too many issues

 

[Scott_D]

Just out of interest - off topic.

What are your copper tube wall thicknesses?
We measure our pipe OD.
1/2" - 0.91 mm
3/4" - 1.02 mm
1" - 1.22 mm

We always expand copper ( swage ) and have never had too many issues

No one likes a show off

 

[Best]

I suppose expanding (stretching) the pipe for making it into a socket is no different than bending pipes with a bending machine, as still being stretched and made thinner.
But what is the cost of 22mm end feed connectors? Almost nothing.
I see one slight advantage to swage pipes that are rising vertical, - you have a vertical top joint only to solder and the solder will flow down easy, as opposed to also having a joint to solder from the bottom.
If you are counting how much solder wire and flux you are saving by using a swage, then you must be on a very tight price

 

[PETE 123]

I dont think your allowed to use a mandrel to swage the pipe as it alters its thickness.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I dont think your allowed to use a mandrel to swage the pipe as it alters its thickness.

It's fine

 

[Scott_D]

I think ours is 0.7mm small bore, 1.2mm bigger stuff

 

[Ric2013]

Just out of interest - off topic.

What are your copper tube wall thicknesses?
We measure our pipe OD.
1/2" - 0.91 mm
3/4" - 1.02 mm
1" - 1.22 mm

I think 15mm is 0.7, and 0.9 for 22mm, so a bit thinner than your stuff. I'd be tempted to do it on water (it looks good), but only if I could get a squeeze-operated expander. Seen one in books, but not for sale. Can't be bothered to have to start hitting an expander with a hammer while supporting the pipe somewhow.

 

[bacon_sandwich]

As mentioned common in refrigeration. Joints are brazed rather than soldered but then we do blow them up to 35Bar, lol. I think a few mbars of gas will be ok.

 

[DGT plumbing]

The hand held expanders are terrible things. They split the side wall of the pipe immediately. They are too aggressive.

 

[Rob Foster]

Swage pipe for plumbing and heating. If the copper is good quality then a swaged joint is fine and IMHO looks good. If you have a bender, springs internal and external with different shaped knees to get different bends, and swaging tool then some quite dandy pipework can be achieved. Mind you I am getting too old to do 22mm too much this way !

 

[oz-plumber]

The hand held expanders are terrible things. They split the side wall of the pipe immediately. They are too aggressive.

You have to anneal the copper first before using them.
If you use coiled copper and cut the tube with pipe cutters, you have to remove the burr completely.
We used to use them all the time - not so much anymore due to pressfit fittings.

Saying that we did a 65mm gas main recently and decided to solder the joints due to cost of fittings.
We even pulled out the branch pullers for tees and the expanders for swaging.

 

[bambers]

Still buy them

 

[jtsplumbing]

Theres nobody more old school / old git than me lol
Just never heard it .

You must remember the old swageing tools had to knock them in with a hammer, but copper pipe back then was a lot better quality