Tape or liquid

[Kayos]

Nothing wrong with ptfe tape, every time someone has told me its rubbish or "gone off" they have been putting it on wrong

Hold the pipe or fitting in your left hand, hold the roll of ptfe in your right hand with the tape coming off the back, start at the bottom of the fitting and work away from yourself.
It is that simple, wont unravel from the roll or when you screw it together

Gas ptfe is thicker than normal but chemically identical, the idea is to use 1 wrap so a standard amount

Once you get over 1" fittings then you need to start using combinations, paste and ptfe thread has never let me down

 

[bayzoo]

Thanks all.

I’ve only had to fit one fitting so far - it’s the 1/2” fitting at the front of the tank. It’s an adapter that has a female 1/4” fitting that connects to a male Euro coupling. I used about 8 turns of standard PTFE tape so it’s probably all shredded into the tank! I’ll leave it for now.

On the subject of couplings, I have 3 in total. The one I described above which is unregulated, and then 2 which are regulated. I’ve been told these are Euro fittings, is it worth replacing these with PCL XF fittings? I’ve got these for my new airline.

Thanks.

 

[Ubique]

Personally, I'd want them all the same, just for convenience and to satisfy any OCD that may manifest itself...
There is also PTFE 'string' that is sometimes better for larger threads as it doesn't shred so easily.

Internet image 'cos I CBA to go looking for mine!

 

[Kayos]

Personally, I'd want them all the same, just for convenience and to satisfy any OCD that may manifest itself...
There is also PTFE 'string' that is sometimes better for larger threads as it doesn't shred so easily.
View attachment 325445
Internet image 'cos I CBA to go looking for mine!

Ptfe thread is not designed to be used alone, it needs paste or liquid ptfe

I remember making hemp and paste joints, thankfully they took that out of the the ACS

 

[Ubique]

Designed for or not, it works a treat on reducers etc,

ETA - the manufacturer seems to think its OK to use standalone https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/uk/en/product/thread-sealants/loctite_55.html

 

[sg66]

I don't like ptfe string, hemp and paste will survive with the cockroaches

 

[bricol]

I don't like ptfe string, hemp and paste will survive with the cockroaches

Seem to remember the paste fell out when used in ultrasonic tanks - PTFE tape (not string) worked well, up to 3" BSP - but we tended to go to flanged connections a lot smaller than that for ease and security.

 

[PhillipM]

God I've lost count of how much ****ty leaking hemp and paste I've took out when the paste has gone brittle and the hemp is so rotted it's basically sawdust. No thanks!

 

[Ross365]

Does the paste stop galling on stainless fittings??? I've never tried it, but suspect tape does better, and even that can go badly. I'm referring here mainly here to stainless (NPT) taper fittings, which I used to use quite a lot with very corrosive fluids.

 

[Cobbler]

On the subject of couplings, I have 3 in total. The one I described above which is unregulated, and then 2 which are regulated. I’ve been told these are Euro fittings, is it worth replacing these with PCL XF fittings? I’ve got these for my new airline.

Thanks.

Euro fittings & PCL XF fittings are identical & interchangeable so no point in replacing them.

 

[bricol]

Does the paste stop galling on stainless fittings??? I've never tried it, but suspect tape does better, and even that can go badly. I'm referring here mainly here to stainless (NPT) taper fittings, which I used to use quite a lot with very corrosive fluids.

The loctite 567 I have is recommended for stainless - and I've never had any issues with it.

The Americans have a special, thicker, grey tape for stainless - impregnated with nickel - seemed to work when I've seen it used over there. Not seen it here - but then I've not actually looked for it.

Stainless was where we used flanges as much as possible - get a 3" fitting stuck and it's expensive!

 

[PhillipM]

I've seen it before on amazon and a few places, must be around, just not so popular.

 

[Ross365]

Stainless was where we used flanges as much as possible - get a 3" fitting stuck and it's expensive!

Yes, it's that bad feeling deep in the gut when you know it's not sealed, but there's no more tightening and no releasing possible

 

[addjunkie]

You need to pick a sealant for both the material and the fluid. Loctite 567 isnt alcohol resistant if my memory is still working. 577 the orange one was the dogs danglies, Never had any issues with it, both gas and methanol up to 600 bar.

 

[bayzoo]

Euro fittings & PCL XF fittings are identical & interchangeable so no point in replacing them.

Thanks - So the Euro fittings are just as high flow as Euro?

 

[Cobbler]

Thanks - So the Euro fittings are just as high flow as Euro?

I’ve not looked at the spec, but I’ve a mixture of euro bits & pieces & PCL XF & they will be plenty good enough for what you need, don't over think it. Euro is a type, not a make, so some is good quality & some not