please help - 1959 soft copper fittings

[groovzilla]

all,

i am replacing a small 8' section of soft copper water line and having an extremely hard time finding the proper fitting thread for the 3/8 copper fittings that were originally used on the water line connectors?

i've checked with all the local plumbing supply and fitting supply companies and they have nothing to match the small fine threads on the 3/8 copper fittings that connect to the existing fittings

has anyone been able to located these fine thread male and female fittings?? photo attached of the original male fitting i'm looking for

[nrgtrakr]

My 75 Overlander had flare fittings for most of the copper water lines except a couple of compression fittings.

Can't tell from the photo as I'm on my phone, but if there is a brass ring on the copper it is a compression fitting.

Try a True Value ... the one's I've used have things the big box stores don't.

[A W Warn]

You can buy those compression rings separately, so you could just re-use the old fittings with new pipe.
That piece that you show in your photo is one part of a complete fitting (tee, coupling, etc.) If you need just that piece, you will have to buy the whole fitting to get it.

[HiHoAgRV]

Thats goofy, it looks like a 3/8 male NPT stuck behind a compression fitting. Are you sure it's not a previous owners cobbled up repair?

[groovzilla]

very sure - the entire trailer has the original soft copper and these original compression fittings - the copper has never been worked on so everything is original.

none of the 3/8 compression fittings in specialty stores work - the threads are too big and the diameter of the 3/8 compression fittings are too wide - none of these plumbing stores OR fitting specialty shops have any idea where to find them - i'll have to re-use the fittings from the copper i removed - it was only 1 section from water tank to the sink T - i just couldn't understand why i can;t find them?

heres a photo for comparison - 3/8 soft copper with the original fitting on right side in both photos - newer compression fitting on left side:

[Kevin245]

Have you looked at www.mcmaster.com? If they don't have it...

[Bigventure]

Save yourself a headache, just cut it off and use a coupling or a modern fitting. The 3/8 tube is still the same.

[nrgtrakr]

Reverse compression like the hose from your tank to the regulator.

I like PEX.

[groovzilla]

when i disconnected the soft copper pipe, i removed one end from the sink "T" and the other end from the water tank - the copper got bent and is now in 2 pieces.
i cannot remove the brass fitting in the water tank as it is practically welded in.

*since i can't find the original style fittings i'll re-use the old fittings and splice in a new fitting for the new section of pipe between the sink T and water tank fitting.

[TomKirk]

I'm finding that old school brass fittings are becoming more and more obsolete by the day. If you can't find what you need, you'll hafta upgrade with what's available.

I've found Ace Hdwe to be the place for brass fittings. They've got pretty good selection. Specifically, I've found that franchise stores have much better selection than corporate stores. In Woodinvolle, WA, that would be McLendon's Hdwe.

Other than that, you should try an industrial hose and fitting supply store. In Everett, WA, that would be North Sound Hose and Fittings and Greenshields Industrial Supply.

Tom

[beatrix1]

While I replaced most of the copper in my 61 with PEX, I kept some where it attached to kitchen faucet, etc. as was too difficult to replace. I just used Sharkbite fittings for the transition without a problem.

Michael Higgins

[JCWDCW]

You should be able to splice onto the original piece of copper left on the tank. Take the piece you broke off to a plumbing sore or hardware store and get a new "coupling" and a new piece of copper tubing and the fitting to replace the compression fitting you show in the photo. Your tubing left on the tanks needs to be cut carefully to ensure it is round and not deformed. Worst case, you or a plumber might have to solder a compatible fitting onto the tube left on the tank.
HIHOAgRv is right: it looks cobbled...if you can take the fixture you are connecting to with you, a good hardware dealer should be able to help patch things up. with new tubing, and all the fittings

JCW