ProDave Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I have been asked to do a simple job for a friend. Swap a heated towel rail for a small radiator in their downstairs toilet. I want to do this without completely draining and refilling the entire heating system. These are the two existing valves on the towel rail: So the "plan" is to shut off both valves, remove the towel rail. Slacken the compression fittings and rotate the 2 existing valves on their pipes 90 degrees so they point outwards. This is the radiator, just a little wider than the existing towel rail So what I want is a pipe fitting, female thread to 15mm copper that will go onto the end of the existing valves (the bit that used to screw into the bottom of the towel rail) And a pipe fitting male thread to 15mm copper that will screw into the end of the radiator. Then join the 2 pipe fittings with a U shaped bit of copper pipe. This seems to me a whole lot easier than draining and re filling to alter the pipework before the radiator valves. Just a little unconventional. So what thread are these male and female thread to copper fittings that I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) Google found... https://www.stevensonplumbing.co.uk/radiator-valves.html Quote The tappings in a radiator are usually a standard 1/2 inch BSP female thread but is that BSP or BSPP or ? See that other thread. Anyway that led to... https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/2858716/ Quote 15mm x 1/2 in BSPP Female Straight Coupler Brass Compression Fitting and https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/compression-fittings/2858687/ Quote 15mm x 1/2 in BSPP Male Straight Coupler Brass Compression Fitting RS may not be the best place to buy them from but at least its a start. Those are chrome plated. Available in brass elsewhere. Edited September 16, 2019 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) It looks like there are also solder types..... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/End-Feed-to-Female-BSP-Thread-Coupler-Copper-Pipe-Connector-Straight-Adaptor/153046602972?var=452873484642&hash=item23a249d4dc:m:mnrVkHLcUYni5sxJA4mTCVw but take care because after soldering to the pipe you might not be able to screw/unscrew them from/to the rad. eg Pipe has to rotate. Edited September 16, 2019 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 Same 2 fittings in Screwy's https://www.screwfix.com/p/compression-adapting-female-coupler-15mm-x/76567 https://www.screwfix.com/p/compression-adapting-male-coupler-15mm-x/67110 And link them with a nicely formed bit of chrome pipe? That will be a challenge, can I get a 180 degree bend in one go on my Hilmor? I will have to try it with a bit of scrap pipe first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassanclan Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Maybe these are what you are looking for: https://www.toolstation.com/radmaster-650-isolating-radiator-tails/p57561 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 Well I found a bit of chrome plated copper pipe, and got two 180 degree bends in it on the Hilmor. So I should be good to go with this idea. Will post pictures when I do it, though it may not be for a couple of weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) Some suggestions on bending chrome plated pipe.. https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/can-i-bend-chrome-plated-copper-pipe.243179/ Edit: Oh I see you've done it. Edited September 18, 2019 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 Yes I did bend it. I have my dad's old Hilmor bender (he was a plumber) the bender is probably as old as me, I still have the imperial dies for it and remember him complaining at having to buy the metric set when I was still a boy. The only thing I wasn't sure having never tried it was can you bend a pipe 180 degrees, i,.e all the way round the die, and the answer is yes you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, ProDave said: Hilmor bender I had a Wimpey Bender once, it was alright. I miss the 70's, trying to work out what it would be called these days. Edited September 18, 2019 by SteamyTea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 6 hours ago, ProDave said: The only thing I wasn't sure having never tried it was can you bend a pipe 180 degrees, i,.e all the way round the die, and the answer is yes you can. Oh yes you certainly can! I constantly get the p!ss taken out of me for one I did (electrical) a while back on site. Will try and get a pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 I haven't got plumbing dies for my Hilmor. Only got a Record bender with 15 & 22mm former for copper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 I have the "set of 3" 15mm, 22mm and 28mm plus in a box the old imperial ones. I also have a third set that I have never looked at, those dies are aluminium not steel, no idea what they are for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 28 minutes ago, ProDave said: I have the "set of 3" 15mm, 22mm and 28mm plus in a box the old imperial ones. I also have a third set that I have never looked at, those dies are aluminium not steel, no idea what they are for. Presume you've got a 25mm? I've a spare here if ever you want it. Came in a box of bits from a sparks who passed away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 1 hour ago, ProDave said: I have the "set of 3" 15mm, 22mm and 28mm plus in a box the old imperial ones. I also have a third set that I have never looked at, those dies are aluminium not steel, no idea what they are for. Tend to use aluminium on half hard copper as it doesn’t score or mark the pipe as much as steel can. They are also much lighter to use ..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 55 minutes ago, Onoff said: Presume you've got a 25mm? I've a spare here if ever you want it. Came in a box of bits from a sparks who passed away. I don't have any conduit dies. This was bought by my father who was a plumber, and I have not done steel conduit since my apprenticeship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 Job finally done today. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now