hoses and fittings

[francblack]

Dear forum
I removed a standard 'North American' style flat bathtub (3/4" fip feed for spout) and replaced with a Japanese soaker style tub. I designed the installation with the spout on the far side. Bought a nice spout on-line with a 1/2" fip fitting.

Challenge: the feed to the spout is about 6 feet. I'm looking for a solution ... so far have investigated:

-laundry tub hose... but have to buy a bunch of adapters for the fittings
-braided hoses ... but too thin ... I need to fill a tub
-that white flexipipe stuff, but the fittings leak with simple clamps, and I don't want to spend a bundle on special clamps and clamping tools ... this is a one-time operation

So, any suggestions, advice, or encouragement ? Photos attached

Thanks !

 

[havasu]

That is a beautiful soaker tub. Why not just spend a few bucks on pipe, and run it on the wall with the tub?

 

[francblack]

Thanks, you're right ... I think I'm just getting tired ... but should stay tough to the end and not let lazy shortcuts derail all of my hard work.
Well, time to re-deploy the drill and soldering torch ! Unless somebody else has a better idea ... ?

 

[SlowDrip]

Nah I think Hav is right. You could probably rig something up with a bunch of fittings but it would be a nightmare to repair down the road, and multiple unnecessary joints just beg for leaks.

 

[francblack]

Well, I did all the planning, cutting, drilling, soldering ... and now have nice 1/2" copper piping to my spout ... and water flows through it like a charm... just have to tighten the spout's threading to stop a little leak, and I can close the whole business up and tile.

Thanks forum ! The encouragement helped.

 

[havasu]

You can't get away from us that easy! We need pictures of the finished product! Congrats!

 

[francblack]

Ha ha, you're right ... but unfortunately ... it started leaking at the spout connection !!!

The spout threads seem a bit non-standard (pic attached). I could only get about three turns onto my fip adapter. I only used silicon tape, so will try again with a rubber washer inserted and maybe some thread compound (which I've never used before... will have to find some at the hardward store ... too bad, I only need it for this one piece ... maybe my neighbour has some ).

 

[havasu]

Make sure your threading is correct. That doesn't look like pipe thread to me.

 

[francblack]

I bought it online to save money ...

It's 1/2 inch but the threads are a bit 'off' the standard, I think ... I'm not using their connector to the taps (which threads fine with this piece) as I don't need the taps that came with it, just the spout.

Does this ring any bells with the pros ? Do some manufacturers have custom threading on their faucet systems?

 

[havasu]

Use some flux and solder on it!

 

[francblack]

That sounds pretty hardcore ... you serious ?

I was wondering if it's a case of a non-tapered thread piece going into a tapered adapter ... and getting jammed on the third tread on its way in ...

 

[francblack]

... and if I do solder ... I assume no teflon, no rubber washer, no thread compound ... anything that'll melt, gum up, or interfere with the solder

Please confirm that you are not kidding about the solder before I make one heck of a mess !

 

[havasu]

If you have a big box store near you, go get a 1/2" pipe thread (male) I presume, into the 1/2" machined brass thread (female), which are different threads.

 

[francblack]

Yes, it's the threads, and the tapering I think. I had a compression fitting nut (non-tapered), and it went on no problems to the spout piece ... so trying to find a connector with same thread as a compression fitting, with a fitting for 1/2" copper on the other end (compression or for soldering) ...

Found something at Canadian Tire this morning (cost $10!) but will have to wait until tonight to try it out. I'd really like to close up this tub install and move on to the tiling ! the little lady's patience is wearing thin !

 

[francblack]

The fitting I bought didn't fit ... took my spout to the hardware store and went through the bin until I found one that seated properly. There was one in a bin of about 100 that fit just right ... hmmm ... got the piping done and the tub installed and tiled ... see attached

 

[havasu]

Looking great so far. I'd like to see a picture with the tile fully grouted if possible!