Hemp.

[joe-90]

Not the smoking variety.

I've noticed that the back of the tin of Boss White says to use hemp when making joints (ooer!). I was in B&Q the other day and they were selling some in their bargain bin so I bought it. Anyone still use it? It looked just like some sandle-wearers pony-tail.

Any 'tips' for my 'hemp joints'?

 

[Jake1886]

Yeah when running heating/chilled water in barrel always provided with hemp and boss white. Its cheap and does the job. Shouldn't be used on potable water services though.

I couldn't explain in typing how I hemp up a fitting/pipe. Its obviously not hard but there is a little technique. Maybe have a look on youtube?

 

[joe-90]

Its cheap and does the job. Shouldn't be used on potable water services though.

That's probably why they are getting shut of it.

 

[joe-90]

BTW what does 'potable' actually mean? Just water you drink or hot feed?

 

[Jake1886]

Safe to drink.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Hemp and paste was the forerunner of PTFE tape. Goes back to the steam age.

Only time I have used it was when I did a bit of LCS pipe fitting many moons ago. The old boy I was under used to insist on using the stuff. Spent most of my days covered in oil from the Rems thread cutter, and paste from the hemp joints. Didn't stick at it long!

I'm sure it has its uses, but I prefer to leave it in the steam age, and use PTFE. That's progress!

 

[joe-90]

But PTFE doesn't seal the threads whereas hemp/boss white does.

 

[Whitespirit66]

But PTFE doesn't seal the threads whereas hemp/boss white does.

How sealed do you want your threads? I don't know about you, but I call a thread sealed when it doesn't let fluids or gas in or out. PTFE has been carrying out this function for quite a while now.

Thanks for your input Joe. You assume that all plumbers are modern-day highwaymen who rip old dears off on boiler changes. Now PTFE doesn't seal threads.

 

[Whitespirit66]

But PTFE doesn't seal the threads whereas hemp/boss white does.

How sealed do you want your threads? I don't know about you, but I call a thread sealed when it doesn't let fluids or gas in or out. PTFE has been carrying out this function for quite a while now.

Thanks for your input Joe. You assume that all plumbers are modern-day highwaymen who rip old dears off on boiler changes. Now PTFE doesn't seal threads.

 

[Whitespirit66]

But PTFE doesn't seal the threads whereas hemp/boss white does.

How sealed do you want your threads? I don't know about you, but I call a thread sealed when it doesn't let fluids or gas in or out. PTFE has been carrying out this function for quite a while now.

Thanks for your input Joe. You assume that all plumbers are modern-day highwaymen who rip old dears off on boiler changes. Now PTFE doesn't seal threads.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Sorry for multiple posts.

This forum is knackered tonight!

 

[muggles]

You want modern-day hemp? It's called Loctite 55, and it's great stuff

 

[PRS1]

He really is a gem, probably best not to give any advise though eh joe!
best stick to window lickin. :

 

[Biggles..]

Totally agree with LT55.

Hemp and paste used to be the way for barrel, but even up/2 doesnt allow its use on gas pipework any more

 

[Gasop]

Totally agree with LT55.

Hemp and paste used to be the way for barrel, but even up/2 doesnt allow its use on gas pipework any more

Is the long screw and backnut not exempt or have the regs changed?