Olives for Imperial

[amfisted]

I've just discovered that modern 15mm olives don't fit the Imperial equivalent copper pipework from the 1960s, and it was a shock ( though perhaps it shouldn't have been). Whilst tidying up my plumbing after fitting a thermostatic shower, I set to work blanking off a dead leg that ambled in the general direction of an old airing cupboard. However, could I heck get an olive for the compression fitting on the old pipe, and because there was still water in there I couldn't solder it either. Well, I did solder it eventually, but I'm not confident in the results.

Is it possible to buy specific olives for Imperial sized pipework?

 

[Scally-Ho]

Do you possess a tube expander? If you want to buy imperial then look on e-bay as there were many last time I looked.

 

[Elkato531]

Were you using copper or brass olives? The copper ones are softer and can usually be persuaded onto 1/2" pipe.

 

[amfisted]

Do you possess a tube expander? If you want to buy imperial then look on e-bay as there were many last time I looked.

Thanks for that. I don't have a tube expander but I'll have a look on Ebay shortly.

 

[amfisted]

Were you using copper or brass olives? The copper ones are softer and can usually be persuaded onto 1/2" pipe.

To my shame yes, I was using brass because I'd run out of copper ones. I'll buy some Imperials and a bunch of copper olives too, for future convenience. And thanks.

 

[kidgreen61]

Copper olives are available from plumber's merchants in imperial sizes.

 

[amfisted]

Copper olives are available from plumber's merchants in imperial sizes.

Thanks once more. Since I overcame my fixation with PTFE tape, olives have become the one feature of DIY plumbing that I thought I could rely on. Having that confidence dented...well, a bitter blow.

 

[Madrab]

You can actually use the compression fitting to persuade the olive onto the pipe, fit the nut then get the olive just on and then leave the nut on the other end and tap the fitting and it’ll persuade the olive onto the pipe just to the depth needed, it will be a tight fit though.

 

[amfisted]

You can actually use the compression fitting to persuade the olive onto the pipe, fit the nut then get the olive just on and then leave the nut on the other end and tap the fitting and it’ll persuade the olive onto the pipe just to the depth needed, it will be a tight fit though.

I’m a bit reluctant to do any “tapping”, to be honest. I had considerable trouble getting some of the pipe connections leak free, and as one of those recalcitrant joints is just inches from this particular source of concern I’d prefer to avoid any unnecessary vibration. To update, I did manage to solder a section of 15mm onto the Imperial pipe yesterday and although the compression blank cap is weeping slightly, I reckon that can be sorted with a big, gentle spanner . But advice noted, thanks.

 

[Madrab]

Yeah I guess it’s more of a feel thing, me as someone that does it all time doesn’t think twice about it now.
It’s a lot less common to come across imperial pipe these days though, used to find it all the time in the past. It’s great when you pull it all out and weight it in as old imperial pipe is a lot heavier than its modern equivalent, has a lot thicker pipe wall

 

[amfisted]

Yeah I guess it’s more of a feel thing, me as someone that does it all time doesn’t think twice about it now.
It’s a lot less common to come across imperial pipe these days though, used to find it all the time in the past. It’s great when you pull it all out and weight it in as old imperial pipe is a lot heavier than its modern equivalent, has a lot thicker pipe wall

Yes, I noticed that right away when I removed some of the Imperial pipes: far more metal in there than the modern stuff. In my case probably not enough to make it worth weighing in, but I might employ my new pipe bending and soldering skills and make a copper-themed work of art :0)

 

[ChrisJP]

I've always found that 15mm olives fit 1/2" imperial copper tube without a problem. Perhaps your 1/2" tube is slightly over size?
The only imperial copper tube that requires a specific "conversion" olive is 3/4" and, if these are used a good joint with a 22mm compression fitting can be made.
3/4" conversion olives are still readily available, but I don't think 1/2" ones are - because 15mm olives normally do the job OK

 

[amfisted]

I've always found that 15mm olives fit 1/2" imperial copper tube without a problem. Perhaps your 1/2" tube is slightly over size?
The only imperial copper tube that requires a specific "conversion" olive is 3/4" and, if these are used a good joint with a 22mm compression fitting can be made.
3/4" conversion olives are still readily available, but I don't think 1/2" ones are - because 15mm olives normally do the job OK

Must admit that the thickness of the tubing and the sheer weight of the metal compared to the modern 15mm pipes did surprise me. So as you suggest, maybe they’re not standard Imperial size. I think I’ve sorted the problem now but I’ll be buying in copper and Imperial olives, because I’ll also be changing the sink and WC, both of which are connected to original 1960s pipework.