Test fitting pvc

Is there some basic trick to test fitting pvc before gluing? I was running 3" drain lines in a fairly tight configuration yesterday and was wanting to dry-fit it all together to make sure of fit. Getting the pipe and fittings to seat together dry was a bear and taking them back apart for the primer/glue stage took a hammer and block of wood.
I'm hoping I'm missing some simple trick that would make this easier next time. Is there one?
A forum search didn't seem to turn up much so this might be a stupid question.....


Thanks,
John

Dry fitting is a waste of time because every connection will be about 1/4" off.
20 connections later you will find your perfect dry fit to be 5" off.
Measure properly and glue the fittings as you go.

Measure accurately, and you do not have to "dry fit" the system.

The socket is designed to be an interference fit. It is tapered. It is unlikely you can bottom out the pipe in the fitting, and if you do, you have stretched the fitting and getting it back out will be a bear. The cement melts the surface layers fo the plastic, allowing them to fit together and making a permanent seal when the solvent evaporates. You must measure from the bottom of the socket to the next to figure the proper length. Common rooky mistake.

Rather than trying to cut all off pipe to the exact length ahead of assembly, it will be much easier and more accurate to cut each pipe as you assemble.

Well that sounds pretty much like a consensus! I've done it without dry fit as you guys suggest but this was 3" with several fitting in close succession and angled in different directions all in a tight quarters crawlspace. Routine for a plumber, I'm sure but I'm more a finish carpenter and while I'm sure of my measurements, getting the pipes to line up at different angles I was less certain about. I was putting it together as a dry fit one piece at a time before I measured the next but I was driving them together pretty tight to simulate the final fits. It all worked and probably only took me 3x as long as a pro....

Thanks for the answers,
John

You cut one piece and glue its fitting on at the proper angle, then do the next, and so on. Forget about trying to preassemble and mark each one's orientation, before gluing it all together.