rbptlp
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I am helping my plumber do some of the work on my house, under his supervision
and I'm good with PEX and copper, but can't seem to get the hang of black iron
using Gasoila on first 3 threads, not too much, well-seated into threads, and tightening 'not too tight' (my plumber's instruction)
but I think his idea of not too tight and mine are quite different
redid some of the boiler trim and on pressurizing (only 15 psi) had drips at most of the unions
so I am thinking I need to go WAY tighter
maybe he means not gorilla tight
the only tip I've found online is 'hand-tight and then 1.5 extra turns w/ a wrench'
which is pretty close to what I was already doing
(maybe not quite 1.5)
but how do you go 'hand-tight' with a short nipple, for example? if one thread catches slightly, you're 'hand-tight' but not anywhere near 'sealed'
I'd raher have torque recommendations for 1/2", 3/4", 1" etc
or some other benchmark for how fully to apply the wrench
and what is the danger of going 'too tight', anyway?
anyone have any other rules of thumb?
thanks very much
and I'm good with PEX and copper, but can't seem to get the hang of black iron
using Gasoila on first 3 threads, not too much, well-seated into threads, and tightening 'not too tight' (my plumber's instruction)
but I think his idea of not too tight and mine are quite different
redid some of the boiler trim and on pressurizing (only 15 psi) had drips at most of the unions
so I am thinking I need to go WAY tighter
maybe he means not gorilla tight
the only tip I've found online is 'hand-tight and then 1.5 extra turns w/ a wrench'
which is pretty close to what I was already doing
(maybe not quite 1.5)
but how do you go 'hand-tight' with a short nipple, for example? if one thread catches slightly, you're 'hand-tight' but not anywhere near 'sealed'
I'd raher have torque recommendations for 1/2", 3/4", 1" etc
or some other benchmark for how fully to apply the wrench
and what is the danger of going 'too tight', anyway?
anyone have any other rules of thumb?
thanks very much
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