Plumbing Threads Thread

[jaco]

Is there a site that illustrates and explains and defines all the different types of threaded fittings in the goofy world of plumbing.

I have spent too much of my life buying and returning the wrong plumbing fittings and sizes.

I want to finally become an "expert" on Iron pipe and fittings, Brass pipe and fittings, Compression Fittings and Copper sizes and types, Pex, Flair-it, Flared fittings, refrigeration fittings and tubing, LP fittings vs water fittings, Gate valves vs ball valves, and sillcocks vs water spigots etc. and what ever else I have left out and overlooked to include PVC and other plastic plumbing pipe and fittings.

Is there one place to see and absorb it all that anyone has found??

[R&SZinser]

My local ACE Hardware had fitting board near the plumbing section that had samples of all the different fittings mounted on it. Was a big help and I could test-fit everything. After playing around with it for a while I finally understand (I think) some of the differences. The Pipe Thread fittings (MPT & FPT) are completely different from the compression fittings. The sizes are measured differently and the threads are not interchangeable. PT (if I remember correctly) is measured by outer diameter, and compression is inner diameter.
PEX & Flair-it have adapters that allow you to connect to MPT, FPT, and compression.
The LP and Iron Pipe threads are completley different from the others and not interchangeable.
Hopefully your local Ace hardware has the same fitting board. I felt abit foolish at first standing there with 1/2 a trailer's worth of fittings, hoses, and PEX pipe all laid out on the floor, but they were really great and helped alot.

Roy

[87MH]

Several divisions of the Parker Group manufacture various fittings and other threaded connections. Dig into some of the products here:

http://www.parker.com/

Also, http://www.swagelok.com/ contains a wealth of information.


Be careful, NPT (National Pipe Taper) and UNF (Unified Fine Thread) inch scales are different from the standard English inch scale (BSP British Standard Pipe) fittings.


The following link
www.eldonjames.com/frames/thread.html
has some info on the pipe threads. I have found that usually it is better to bite the bullet and work with major stocking centers (industrial suppliers) in order to find the fitting you need.