compression joint question for copper pipe.

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Hi, I have a new 15mm equal t compression joint that despite tightening (plenty) i can still turn the whole thing by hand a little.

Is that normal?

The nuts are tight and cant be moved by hand at all, i used brass olives and cleaned the pipe.

Thanks.
 
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You need to tighten the nuts enough so the olive is compressed onto the pipe - and the tapers on the olive mate with the tapers on the joint.
How much are you heaving on the spanners?
John :)
 
Usually 15mm compression fittings with brass olives get to the squeak point, you hear them when they're tight enough
 
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I can hear the joint squeak a little, there's no water coming out mind on any of the joints. It's not easy to turn by hand mind.
 
Also, the copper pipe i used couldn't be bent using a spring (internal). Tried to pull a 90 degree bend but it snapped at about 85 degrees. Is it that thin walled stuff that can't be bent?
 
The water tightness of the joints is courtesy of the tapers of the olive and coupling mating well....therefore the joint doesn’t need ro be ferociously tight for a seal. In fact, overtightening causes the olive to neck onto the pipe which can give problems further down the line.
Regarding the pipe bending, I think you are asking a fair bit to use a spring, far better to use the proper bending tool. Bear in mind, copper work hardens as it is worked, and needs annealing to soften it again.
John :)
 
Oh right! Haven't used a spring in years. I got the benders too but there in storage! :( Should have annealed it then!

Cheers matey!!
 

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