Gah! I'm on it.

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Bits and pieces cut, some connections made, two pieces have been soldered, the pieces still needed... just one piece actually... has been identified.  Best get several.  I will need them soon enough and if one doesn't work I can just take it back in.  Oh, and another valve has been found, a ball valve with solder x mip.  Okay, I probably should be a bit neater in there.  Then again, I want more ball valves.  As long as I know which ones I have, then I can make sure to have the connection fittings needed, if necessary.  then again, if you are cutting out one valve you will need fittings, even if it is just a double pipe female connector... or two.  Gah!  As for the work?  This is what I have been wanting to do, for a long time.  It's a puzzle, it's sometimes hard work... try putting two pieces together that don't want to fit... and yet when I am done I actually feel, and can see, and can prove, that I did something.  It isn't pretty, it may not be how a plumber would have done it, but it will be done, it will work, and I will see it every day.  If it wasn't so expensive.  Even just soldering, the bits and pieces add up very quickly.  At least I am taking pieces back, finally, for refunds or exchanges.

Hmm, a sip of something cool, then back to it.  Ugh.  Later.