.
.
While coming back in from taking the recycling out and to the curb, I noticed one of the flexible copper couplings, like the ones in the basement. Now, it had fip x fip fittings, but after a bit of checking, they also make a fip x s hose. F.I.P. officially stands for something I don't know, but means it screws on, as a female fitting I think. S, however, stands for solder. Since my soldering is fine, if not pretty always, all I need to do is buy two of those, then I have some flexibility regarding placement and replacement of the water heaters. It makes it so much easier, since finding the exact size of replacement heater can mean hundreds more or some hope and prayer sweating. Of course, you know, I would have to have an extra on hand that would require soldering three rather than one more times? I consider it a basement w.h. spare, anyway.
With recycling done, trash next. Then what is in the dryer should be ready to tend. Then a nap, a trip to town, a bit more sweating, and then a trip to the big city later. Oh, I sure hope the fittings work. I am buying a few extra pieces, just in case I need to resweat a few things. I know a 1/2 to 3/4 straight and elbow would be nice, another 3/4 union would be good, and maybe... No, that should be enough. I would like to get concrete board (or some such... fireproof, good for sweating lengths on a table without worrying about a housefire. But since I am pretty much done... Nah. Unless it is really inexpensive. Hmm, 5x3x1/2 for $10? I would actually like that to finish anyway. Just setting it behind where I am working. The fireproof(ish) panel I have is about potholder size, and I am brazing in a corner, so I have been sweating in more ways than one, as carefully as possible. I know that mapp torch works a LOT better, especially for decoupling, but even for just plain sweating. Technology is truly sometimes worth the extra costs.
Oh, right, laundry, trash, crash. Later.
FIP is a subset of the group called IPS, which includes MIP, but is also referred to as NPT.
ReplyDeleteHelpful, no?
NPT = National Pipe Thread = IPS = Iron Pipe Size. It is a particular thread pitch and pipe size standard that includes a taper to the threads. This taper allows the pipe to be tightened together until a water or gas-tight seal is achieved.
FIP = Female Iron Pipe
MIP = Male Iron Pipe
Doesn't have to be iron--it was originally for iron, but refers to the thread standard, and can be brass or copper, galvanized steel or black pipe, even threaded PVC fittings are often IPS.
Now you know.
Actually, that helps a bunch. I suppose I could have looked it up, but in the middle of juggling bowling balls, bowling pins, eggs, while dancing on pins and needles, I just didn't get to it. And, with the history lesson with it, it will stick better. Throw in the tech side and I'm happier. Threaded to watertight IS tech, old, maybe, but the most cutting edge takes old ideas, quite often, then puts them into play in new areas... or old ideas the tech of the time could not respond to.
ReplyDeleteI still think if you had the tech of all even known civilizations at your fingertips you would be ahead of "modern man"... Just a hunch, but...
Love me some tech history tied to the practicum. Thanks.
I should clarify that NPT is not equal to IPS as I indicated. NPT is the *thread* standard. IPS is the pipe *diameter* standard (approximate internal diameter or ID). NPT is used on IPS pipe, which is why at first glance it seems interchangeable.
ReplyDeleteFIP and MIP are part of NPT each. FIP is occasionally referred to as FPT (female pipe thread) and MIP is occasionally referred to as MPT (male pipe thread).
Duly noted.
ReplyDelete