Victorian Brass Pipe Compression Fittings

[Richard Williams]

Hello all, I am hoping to get some advice on a small project I am working on at the moment.

I have a lovely old victorian towel rail which I am trying to modify to make it smaller. Its just too big for out house.

It is made of Brass pipe and fittings, 1 1/2" . The Brass pipe has a flange end and a compression BSP fitting. There is a perished washer on each fitting. I intent to cut off the flange of the brass pipe (to make the radiator smaller / narrower) and restore it / reconnect (with new washer).

I do not think it will work with just an olive on the pipe as I am not sure there is enough to grip on if you know what I mean...so was wondering, can you buy flanges you solder on (1 1/2 " brass pipe) or can you solder the olive on to the brass pipe ?

Input or help would be greatly apreciated if anyone has any experiece of something like this or working with 1 1/2" brass.

Pics attached.

- I restored all the plumbing fittings etc to the matching cast iron plunger bath, which involved removing all the lead pipe and replacing with copper 2" ! I had to remake all the rubber gaskets for the bath waste. Turned out well... Labour of love !

Richard

 

[Pickwickpick]

I would have thought a 1 1/2" flaring tool would be your best bet.

Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-41345-2-Inch-Hammer-Type-Flaring/dp/B001HWA7Y4

I've never tried to use them on brass pipe so can't guarantee it would work but that would be the first thing I'd try.

E2a: good luck with the project btw, that's stunning!

 

[Last Plumber]

Are the flanges soldered in the ends or is it swaged out?

What is the exact O.D. of the pipe?

 

[steadyon]

If it is too wide, rather than too deep front to back, why not cut a piece out of the middles of the horizontal pipes and have them brazed back together. You could use a small section of brass tube of an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter of your pipes for support during the brazing process. Then file, or better still turn, any excess braze off. Should polish up well.

Would save the risk of having to re-make those brass fittings.

 

[Welder]

Personally, I'd have some new ends made but turned down so they fit inside the pipe by 20mm or so. Then you can cut the pipes down and have then silver soldered back in. You'd never see any of the new parts. I'd def use fibre washers to put it together not rubber.
Try your local model engineering society (they guys who make team locos from scratch). One of them will invariably do it for you.

 

[Richard Williams]

Thanks everyone for the input, very much appreicated.

I did think about flaring the ends, but thought the gague of brass would be too difficult.

After considering the possibility of welding / brazing...I have cleaned up the ends and it appears the flanges are soldered or brazed on the ends ! Hopefully this means I can heat it up....remove the flanges and re-solder or Braze them on the adjusted length.

The pipe o.d is hard to measure because of the flanges but I belive it is 39mm.

Can anyone advise how I would tell if its soldered or brazed ? Ive attached some pics but difficult to see. I think either way it needs a Oxy torch and not a plumbers blow torch. (thus not a job for me)

If I cannot get them off, as Yorkshire Dave has said, I can get some new ends turned.

Luckily in a 2 mile radius from me I have 2 very clever chaps with lathes who I am sure would be up for it !

Why out of interest fiber washers over rubber ?

Thanks again for help everyone.

 

[Welder]

It won't be 39 mm at that age. That'll be 1.5 inch (bearing in mind production accuracy was not as good as today).

Think you'll do potentially more damage trying to remove. Best, IMHO, to use an adjustable pipe cutter to cut teh pies and get those ends turned.

Fibre as its much more solid a join. Too much flex & give in rubber and the oxygen etc in the water may eventually break them down. Why risk it?

 

[Richard Williams]

Great Thanks Dave

How would you fix the ends ? Braze them or silver solder ?

 

[Richard Williams]

Ill get on to my local man to turn some ends 🙂

 

[Welder]

How would you fix the ends ?

Best to ask the person doing it. Need to apply minimum heat IMO due to potential distortion.

 

[Richard Williams]

Great , will do that. Thanks again for all the help. Its fantastic in this day and age you can just go onto a forum and get all this help !

I will post some pics when its done and hopefully looking much better.

 

[Welder]

Its fantastic in this day and age you can just go onto a forum and get all this help !

It does come at a price Richard. That price is that you pay it forward so when we've popped our clogs you carry it on. Deal? 😉

 

[Richard Williams]

Deal. I cant say I will be much use offering plumbing advice at the moment but if anyone wants historic buildings or conservation advice im your man !

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Will be brazed

 

[Welder]

Will be brazed

Just like I like my lamb 😉😀 #DiksleksiaRooles