SeaTech PEX fittings

[Jim Blackwood]

>I still like the grade 12 metric bolts though

Yeah, see even that was a scam. When you look up the actual specs on the bolts they convert to a lower number used in the SAE hardware. There is no consistency.

Jim

[Dave5Cs]

I never used the Sharkbite,in H/D yesterday I looked at some wow it could cost a lot to use those for a plumbing job,a 25 buck crimping tool and 6 bucks for rings would be cheap.I have a ? when the instructuctions say not "recommend for use behind covered walls why would you use those. They look to be the same principal as the push on air fitting that I change out all the time for leaking on buses.Suppliers gouge you for compression type DOT fitting to replace the push on too I pay 5 bucks ea for a friggn 1/4 in DOT compression fitting about the same as a 1/2 inch Sharkbite ,lol I can buy the push on 1/4 inch DOT fitting for $0.80 each WTH

I use the sharbite stick pipes and Pex fitting with pex rings. Only because I bought a coffee can of Pex rings and two Pex tools, one for 1/2" and 3/4" rings that are big pliers and one you squeeze with vice grips from 1/4" to 1" which I didn't even know they made that size at an Estate sale all for $10.00

[luvrbus]

>I still like the grade 12 metric bolts though

Yeah, see even that was a scam. When you look up the actual specs on the bolts they convert to a lower number used in the SAE hardware. There is no consistency.

Jim

Once I get all the broken bolts from a Allison pan I tap to metric flange bolt they don't twist off like the Allison pan bolts ,works for me

[richard5933]

Yeah, see even that was a scam. When you look up the actual specs on the bolts they convert to a lower number used in the SAE hardware. There is no consistency.

Jim

Am I getting the notion that the whole metric thing has triggered a bit of an issue here?

[luvrbus]

I don't mind metric bolts ,when we were buying gasoline and diesel by the liter in the 70's it sucked I am glad that didn't last,lol I like 55 gal barrel better than 42 gal too

[chessie4905]

On a side note, notice how toilet paper rolls are smaller than before?

[richard5933]

On a side note, notice how toilet paper rolls are smaller than before?

That's got nothing to do with metric and everything to do with the companies trying to give us less for more money. Same as a half gallon of ice cream now only containing 1.5 quarts, or a pound cake now weighing 10.75 ounces. Or a pound of coffee only weighing 12 ounces.

I've called companies about this for years - the answer is always "we didn't want to raise the price". When I explained that giving us less product for the same money IS raising prices, I get the equivalent of a blank stare on the phone.

Toilet paper, paper towels, dinner napkins, they're all smaller than they used to be.

[chessie4905]

Yes, has nothing to do with metric. Just companies dealing with controlling costs from dealing with inflation, regulations, competitiveness, pressures from owners of their stock,now carbon footprint, etc.Don't know if our mfgrs would have gone metric if they didn't want to expand their markets to the rest of the world.

[chessie4905]

Did you call companies when they started reducing 2x4's years ago?lol I remember when the Whopper came out years ago. It was huge compared to now.

[sledhead]

I use pex for all plumbing jobs ..... and only the solid rings and try to only use 3/4"

some of the +'s are it you want to change or add to a pex system all pex joints can be turned . like a nut so you never need a union on every section ( with out damaging the fitting )
I like that you can use red for hot and blue for cold
( helps for the old guy thing )

yes it might be hard to get the pex crimper into some places but then you just need to pre do the joints before putting it in a tight place

I always use fittings and not bend the pipe to go around corners

the rings and the ONLY pex crimper I use .

https://www.walmart.com/ip/IWISS-Combo-Angle-Head-PEX-Pipe-Crimping-Tool-Kits-Used-1-2-3-4-Pex-Crimp-Go-No-Go-Gauge-Cutters-suits-All-US-F1807-Standards-IWS-C-1-2-3-4-KIt/288779572

but I do carry a vise grip crimper in the coach

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SUPERIOR-TOOL-07100-Pex-Crimp-Tool/19898689?athcpid=19898689&athpgid=AthenaItempage&athcgid=null&athznid=si&athieid=v0&athstid=CS055&athguid=uqvA4mAlAjQPJtXJ-jwxyZsVsaJRcPmILJxN&athancid=null&athposb=0&athena=true

pex the best thing since sliced bread !!!!

dave

[Sebulba]

I'm a big believer in copper with brazed joints instead of soldered. That's what I used for my shop air lines 20 years ago and have been more than happy with it. There is a fluxless brazing rod you use with a plumber's torch that really works great. If I plumb the bus that way and route the lines so they are self-draining and always remember to winterize, the only leaks that occur will be from other sources, not the plumbing itself. Also, plumbing in the RV does not have to be 1/2" ID line like residential. 3/8" is quite adequate. That cuts the cost a bit and makes routing easier. Later replacement of fittings can be a chore but that is what threaded connections are for. Do it once, do it right, and never think of it again. That's my opinion, and so far I haven't seen a need to change it.

Jim

Brazed fitting, Wow!  you are better man than I am.

Seb

[luvrbus]

Pex is ideal for looping in heated floors,I prefer the Zurn rings myself,they work better for me and easiser for me in tight spots.The Zurn crimper is not cheap though both types are good if you use the go/no go gauge to set the crimper with, they last forever   

[Jim Blackwood]

Seb, I doubt it. I just ran across this no-flux rod for copper tubing decades ago, probably a refrigeration guy showed it to me. The one I've been using is Forney I think, if only because it is widely available but I'm sure there are less expensive options that are just as good or better. Key phrase is -no flux on copper-. The phosphorus in the rod eliminates the need for a flux.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/forney-48571-super-sil-flo-brazing-rod-1-8-in-1-2-lb-1175417?cm_mmc=feed-_-BingShopping-_-Product-_-1175417&msclkid=4562e33518f5101efd9482fa6f6ce2c4&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20All%20Products&utm_term=4585375807245420&utm_content=All%20Products

First time I brazed copper tube I used regular brazing rod. That worked OK but using this phosphor-bronze rod is very much like soldering, except it wets better, is much stronger and doesn't run off as bad. You do need more heat and some sort of heat shield so as not to scorch stuff. I use a plumber's torch which burns acetylene without the oxygen and has a soft flame but I expect MAPP gas will work.

Jim