Beginner question on connecting 90 deg fittings


  #1  
Old 09-01-22, 11:41 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
Beginner question on connecting 90 deg fittings

Hi-

Is there some trick to connecting these fittings so I can get them to line up like in the picture? I keep trying to start threading them on at different places but I can't get them to line up properly once they are fully tight. Thanks



 
  #2  
Old 09-01-22, 11:49 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
You should probably be using Teflon tape to wrap the threads a few times and/or a tfe tee paste. Then you just develop a feel for when you need to stop tightening or when you should keep going one more full turn.

You don't always tighten them until they won't turn anymore... which is what it sounds like you are doing. Do a dry run and count how many turns it takes dry to get tight. Let's say it's 3 1/2 turns. Then do your Teflon tape or TFE paste and you will likely stop at 3 turns.

Generally if you count the number of turns on your first fitting, all the others will be the same.
 
  #3  
Old 09-01-22, 11:51 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
I'll keep at it. It's not easy, I get caught in between going another half turn or not.
 
  #4  
Old 09-01-22, 11:54 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
I may have edited my reply while you were writing yours.
 
  #5  
Old 09-01-22, 12:03 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,937
Received 3,951 Upvotes on 3,544 Posts
When I work with threaded fittings like that I like to use teflon tape and pipe compound.
The combination will allow the fitting to seal without being forced.

Counting the turns is a good idea.
I believe the fittings will always start at the same place regardless of how you try to start them.
 
  #6  
Old 09-01-22, 12:08 PM
C
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,503
Received 350 Upvotes on 293 Posts
Teflon is a thread sealant that also acts as a thread lubricant. You will get less galling than metal to metal alone and that means that you will get some additional turn rotation before the joint is tight. The joint will also be much less likely to leak.
 
  #7  
Old 09-01-22, 12:34 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
I have teflon tape and pipe dope? I think you are right about it not mattering where you start. They seem to always end up in the same place.
 
  #8  
Old 09-01-22, 01:20 PM
Marq1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA MI
Posts: 9,745
Received 1,210 Upvotes on 1,098 Posts
Not that anybody asked the obvious, what the heck are you trying to achieve?
 
Norm201 voted this post useful.
  #9  
Old 09-01-22, 02:10 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
Thanks for asking! And if anyone has a more elegant solution i’m all ears. I just finished installing a Rainbird sprinkler and I am finishing up the part that connects to the house.

I have very little room under the spigot so I devised this pipe thingy to go out to the right and up so the sprinkler control can hang down straight and not off at some weird angle. I also need a connect for our hose which will be on the left.

so after I get this all together I am going to paint it gray to match the brick.

 
  #10  
Old 09-01-22, 02:50 PM
2
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA near Boston, MA
Posts: 2,261
Received 388 Upvotes on 337 Posts
Since the first fitting at the spigot is probably a hose-to-NPT adapter you will have to turn the entire assembly to remove it; or take it all apart to remove it. Is there enough clearance? There are hose shutoffs that have multiple outlets and different angles. Search "hose shutoff".

Also you should add a shutoff hose coupling on the left so the hose will not be continuously pressurized. The Rainbird has its own OFF position.
 
  #11  
Old 09-01-22, 03:20 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
I do have a hose shutoff for the left side, just don’t have in the pic. BUT I was thinking about what you said about clearance at the top to remove it. I haven’t done a trial but I won’t be able to spin the entire thing to take it off for winter, so I will need another off valve on the right if I do kee t on through the winter since the rainbird will have to come off.

I have spent 6 months searching for split adapters and have not found anything. Unfortunately, we just had the brick facade done on the house but I would be open to having some sort of dual spigot installed by a plumber if that may be an option without messing the brick up.
 
  #12  
Old 09-02-22, 10:01 AM
Z
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 6,095
Received 422 Upvotes on 375 Posts
Personally, I'd just get a hose splitter. It'll give you 2 (or more) hose fittings, each with its own shutoff.
The Rainbird will be at an odd angle, but does it really matter?

I honestly can't think of a good way to do what you're trying to do without adding a union and a bunch more connectors.
 
  #13  
Old 09-02-22, 11:01 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
I hear you. I already wasted the money on these parts so I’m gonna at least give it a go. And yes, I’ll go crazy if the Rainbird is off at an angle.
 
  #14  
Old 09-02-22, 02:06 PM
Marq1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA MI
Posts: 9,745
Received 1,210 Upvotes on 1,098 Posts
Lot of $ in all the brass, got to be a simple (cheap) way to accomplish the desired!
 
  #15  
Old 09-03-22, 10:25 AM
Z
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,386
Received 124 Upvotes on 115 Posts
Would a splitter like this work and help with the orientation of the Rain Bird control? Looks like it might help, but seems like they want an account setup first.

https://tcdparts.com/splitter-garden-hose.html

It probably isn’t lead free like the parts you already have, but I don’t think you need to worry about lead free for an outdoor hose and sprinkler application. At least I don't think so.
 
  #16  
Old 09-03-22, 06:37 PM
Z
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 6,095
Received 422 Upvotes on 375 Posts
Great find Zoesdad. I'd combine it with this:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Degree-.../dp/B003BZD06M


I think it's exactly what's needed.
 
  #17  
Old 09-05-22, 07:44 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
That is a very very nice splitter, thanks for finding it. I’m going to order one just to check it out. In the meantime I finally finished my monstrosity. I just need to rough it up and paint it.



 
  #18  
Old 09-05-22, 07:48 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
That U shape part at TCD parts looks awesome but it won’t let me create and account. Need some corporate ID and won’t accept anything I enter.
 
  #19  
Old 09-06-22, 08:33 AM
Norm201's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 10,956
Received 721 Upvotes on 640 Posts
OK, maybe I'm out in left field here, but why not just install a long pipe to clear the appliance instead of all those elbows? That will give lots of room to do whatever you want in terms of splitters or even removing it. Consider a quick disconnect.
 
  #20  
Old 09-06-22, 10:12 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
Hi norm-
Not exactly sure what you are saying but I'm definitely open to trying anything. Can you please provide a little more detail Thx!
 
  #21  
Old 09-06-22, 10:43 AM
Norm201's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 10,956
Received 721 Upvotes on 640 Posts
Eliminate all those elbows and just take a piece of pipe (12" long or whatever) and screw it in the end.
 
  #22  
Old 09-06-22, 10:44 AM
Norm201's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 10,956
Received 721 Upvotes on 640 Posts
  #23  
Old 09-06-22, 07:35 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
Yea I don't know what im doing. I had to add the 90 deg bends to the right because I don't have enough clearance to get the Rainbird under there otherwise. I think I can shave off 1/2" or so on the out line but I'm pressed for space. I would really like to get the unit that zoesdad linked too but looks like its for commercial buyers only.
 
  #24  
Old 09-08-22, 12:32 PM
Z
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,386
Received 124 Upvotes on 115 Posts
Yep - that seems really weird to me. No one else seems to have that type. Can't figure that out.

Well maybe it's because the vast majority of people don't care about the orientation and the V-split is cheaper and sufficient. Just a WAG. But still - you would think there might be a pretty good demand for the product. Ah - who knows - lol!
 
sayluv voted this post useful.
  #25  
Old 09-08-22, 02:14 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
I put that part number in google and found a similar one in Europe but nothing here. I will give that company a call when I get a chance and see if there is any way I can purchase it from them without an account. thx!
 
  #26  
Old 09-28-22, 04:46 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 279
Received 4 Upvotes on 4 Posts
Welp, after wasting a good $100 on brass I abandoned that dumb idea. I just turned it sideways and will call it a day. Just need a few elbows to tie in back into the sprinkler system. I'm going to paint the black and green tubing to the right etc gray and we're all done. Can't win them all I guess.


I
 
2john02458 voted this post useful.
  #27  
Old 09-29-22, 06:49 AM
2
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA near Boston, MA
Posts: 2,261
Received 388 Upvotes on 337 Posts
$100 on brass
If you bought your fittings at one of the big box stores you can probably return them. You may not need a receipt if you used a credit card.

For a recent electrical project I returned unused parts that I did not need for a $42 return on a $259 purchase.
 
sayluv voted this post useful.
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: