New style pipe threads

[Bobkatz]

Whats with these pipe threads today? I had a small pluming project to do so I went to Lowes to purchase the needed fittings. Assembled all as I have always done, used teflon tape which always worked before on the two connections with pipe thread & they both leaked! Disassembled & redid the connections with double teflon tape, & checked. First I thought they were OK, but after a while I saw they were both seeping water out, very slow but still not leak free!

I remember reading something on here about the same thing, but can't find it! Is there a solution?

 

[Donaldinky]

Paste tape paste. It's hard to find good fitting. Anymore. And don't over tighten. Pull thread. And never stop leaking. The import stuff is not very good. Or find some USA stuff.good luck with that

 

[jCarroll]

search for:
Topic: I'm too old for this hassle

 

[Bobkatz]

Thanks!
That is what I remember reading & what I was looking for, all China fittings are made with little quality control, but the prices are still up on them!

What else can a guy do?

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 18:02:24 06/27/13) Thanks!
That is what I remember reading & what I was looking for, all China fittings are made with little quality control, but the prices are still up on them!

What else can a guy do?

don't know! The so called metal is so crappy (about as much dirt as iron) that trying to cut your own threads results in un-useable, too! We never knew that Made in America really meant so much to us until NOT Made in America came along!

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

I have old pipe taps and dies and when I thread an old piece of pipe, it never fits the new Chinese fittings.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 18:19:59 06/27/13) I have old pipe taps and dies and when I thread an old piece of pipe, it never fits the new Chinese fittings.

It is the National in the NPT that causes the problem! National = Chinese to them and National = USA to us.

 

[notjustair]

I swear by stuff in a can call Great White pipe joint compound. It is in the same kind of container as PVC pipe cement. It is paste consistency and works with air, water, fuel, etc., it is miracle stuff. It just takes a tiny bit on the threads and there's a brush in the cap.

Word of warning - when you put it on it ends up getting EVERYWHERE. You can't keep it off of your tools, hands, and clothes. Brake cleaner takes it off.

 

[Greg_Ky]

#1 Choice Key Tite
#2 Choice Blue Monster non PFTE

 

[greygoat]

Sounds like you got new Chinese fittings!

 

[36 Coupe]

I had an elbow that was ok at the threads but leaked thru the side.

 

[36 Coupe]

Do a search on Bestweld co

 

[WGM]

Good pipe and fittings are easy to find. But you won"t get them at Lowe"s or Menard"s. You need to go to a real plumbing supply house.
Lastly, teflon tape is a joke.

 

[JD Seller]

You go to the Land of everything from the Land of "ALMOST" right and are surprised when the junk you bought does not perform correctly.

There are still US made pipe fittings available. Your NOT going to find them at Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. You will find them at local plumbing supply businesses. They sell to contractors and certified plumbers.

Also TEFLON tape is and always was JUNK too. Take any fitting apart and there is not any tape in the actual joint. The interference fit just scrapes it off as you thread it together. Use a GOOD paste type of tread sealer.

Local guy had his house caught fire/blew the basement up because of this very issue. He bought black iron pipe at Lowes for his propane lines going to his furnace and water heater. He soaped tested the fittings when he put them together. HE swears that they where not leaking then. Later two different fitting leaked. Filled his basement with propane. His "new" zero pilot light water heater kicked on an blew the windows and doors off the basement. Minor fire damage to the structure. Lucky that no one was home at the time.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have found good old pipe dope to work the best on those ell fitting fittings...

If it does not feel good going together its not gonna seal,,, if it squeaks and squats its not gonna seal,,, If it appears to not engage enough its not gonna seal,,, I have found it best to pre-assemble till it feels right with good old pipe dope... If you want tape tape it and add good old pipe dope to the tape...

The treads are so ell fitting they need lubrication that's my take on it...

 

[Matt Tieken]

Anvil fittings, tape and then dope.

 

[El Toro]

I used Gasoila soft set on pipe fittings. If I use Teflon tape I also use the soft set. Hal

 

[Rich Perry]

Teflon tape is not for sealing threads. It is to lubricate the threads to get the proper torque. if you need to seal a joint I would use paste or dope.

 

[fixerupper]

It's good to know I'm not alone in trying to cut good threads on new pipe. Last fall I had an awful time cutting good threads on some new 3/4" black pipe I was using for gas line. Tried two different dies and both of them did a crappy job. Jim