compression fitting size

[henry1]

what does the 22mm refer to in a 22mm compression fitting? Is it the size of the nut? Will I therefore need a 22mm spanner?

I need to know what spanner size I need for that compression fitting.
I don't like the adjustable ones.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

15/22/28mm etc refers to the pipe size. The nuts and fittings will be a far bigger size, some manufacturers used to make open ended spanners for use with their fittings.

I don't think they do nowadays, as most prople use an adjustable or grips. Buying an open end spanner to fit 22mm compression fittings isn't going to be cheap, and you'll need two. One to turn the nut, the other to hold the fitting...

 

[mogget]

Not helped by compression fittings having slightly different sizes due to differences in manufacturing practice. Also the fitting and the nut have different size hexes.

There's nothing much wrong with medium-high quality adjustable spanners, for doing up a compression fitting.

 

[henry1]

The problem I have with my adjustable spanners is that they often slip and damage the nut. I was going to use it on one nut to hold it in place and the other spanner on the other nut.

I believe I will have to use adjustable spanners though as you have pointed out that different manufacturers will use slightly different nut sizes.

However, I measured the size of one nut and found it to be 22 mm wide. That's why I thought the size of the compression fitting referred to the nut size (or that the pipe/compression size went along with a nut of a specific size).

 

[mogget]

In theory yes, should all be the same size but in practice no, unfortunately. On many poorly made (read: cheap) compression fittings the nut will actually deform under load and this is what causes the slipping. Better quality fittings don't suffer from such a problem. In my opinion the British Standard for compression fittings is adequate at best.

 

[FiremanT]

The problem I have with my adjustable spanners is that they often slip and damage the nut..

Buy a better adjustable spanner. Mine don't slip

 

[henry1]

The problem I have with my adjustable spanners is that they often slip and damage the nut..

Buy a better adjustable spanner. Mine don't slip

I knew someone would eventually tell me to buy better tools...

 

[mogget]

It's true, cheap adjustables are awful.

 

[henry1]

I can't justify buying an expensive spanner for just one nut when I already have one.

Before you tell me I might need it again, I've never really needed it in the past. I always try to use the fixed ones as much as possible.

 

[Whitespirit66]

There is a spanner designed for the job. £3 shouldn't break the bank.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-compression-fitting-spanner/82712?_requestid=292623

 

[henry1]

There is a spanner designed for the job. £3 shouldn't break the bank.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-compression-fitting-spanner/82712?_requestid=292623[/QUOTE]

Yes, I was after a spanner like this but I've been told in this thread that different manufacturers will have slightly different nut sizes, so it may not fit?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Tool station do better ones.

Some fittings don't fit, some do. But if you're not going to buy decent tools why bother asking?

 

[Stivino]

Also, remember that it's possible to put the spanner onto the nut two ways, only one of them is correct. Using it in the wrong direction will cause it to slip off the nut.
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/03/05/toolmanship-your-complete-guide-to-wrenches/

 

[henry1]

Tool station do better ones.

Some fittings don't fit, some do. But if you're not going to buy decent tools why bother asking?

beg, borrow, steal?

I didn't say I didn't want to buy tools otherwise I wouldn't have started this thread. I don't want to buy what I already have.

And if some fit, some don't, I may be back to square one with an open spanner that does not fit.

 

[henry1]

Also, remember that it's possible to put the spanner onto the nut two ways, only one of them is correct. Using it in the wrong direction will cause it to slip off the nut.
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/03/05/toolmanship-your-complete-guide-to-wrenches/[/QUOTE]

Duh, I never knew about that. I wonder if it's true though. I would think both sides of the spanner apply the same pressure, but in opposite directions?