Radiator tails

[Brigadier]

Hello all,

a seemingly simple question, to which I have struggled to find a simple answer.


Is it good practice to cut a radiator tail to correct length?

If it is acceptable, is it a hacksaw-and-deburr job? I guess a pipe cutter might struggle, as tails are harder than copper......


I don't fancy altering pipework, to accommodate the new rads.


TIA


Finally,
jointing compound on the tail thread?
PTFE on the tail olive?

 

[Terrywookfit]

Crack on.
Tape on thread paste on olive.

 

[Steelmasons]

Industry gone to the dogs.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Industry gone to the dogs.

With the help of DIYnot its ****ed up,big time.

Why give info here and do time served trades people out of work,ffs.

DIYwank is always diywork.

please edit my post.

 

[aptsys]

With the help of DIYnot its ****ed up,big time.

Why give info here and do time served trades people out of work,ffs.

DIYwank is always diywork.

please edit my post.

Do you honestly get a tradie in for every job in your house? Replacement light switches, putting up shelves etc?

 

[Brigadier]

With the help of DIYnot its ****ed up,big time.

Why give info here and do time served trades people out of work,ffs.

DIYwank is always diywork.

please edit my post.

If someone knows everything (some on here do), there's some short term logic in what you say.

Just think of it as polishing your halo

 

[Dan Robinson]

Whenever a DIYer mentions PTFE I get an attack of the vapours.

Don't think I have a single roll of the stuff on the van.

 

[Brigadier]

That's why I asked on here

Which then begs the question, if the trade feel that way about it, why has it not died out by now?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Because of all the DIY'ers slathering it over compression fittings and the like

 

[Lower]

Hello all,

a seemingly simple question, to which I have struggled to find a simple answer.


Is it good practice to cut a radiator tail to correct length?

If it is acceptable, is it a hacksaw-and-deburr job? I guess a pipe cutter might struggle, as tails are harder than copper......


I don't fancy altering pipework, to accommodate the new rads.


TIA


Finally,
jointing compound on the tail thread?
PTFE on the tail olive?

You can cut a rad tail if you need to. Make sure you deburr the end. You'll need to use a hacksaw. A pipe slice will only cut copper, not steel.

Ptfe on the tail thread where it goes into the rad. Nothing needed on the olive.

And tell the critics to go forth and multiply. If you don't ask you will never learn.

 

[Steelmasons]

You can cut a rad tail if you need to. Make sure you deburr the end. You'll need to use a hacksaw. A pipe slice will only cut copper, not steel.

How would you propose to join the steel pipe to the radiator valve when shortened?
Who mentioned it was a steel pipe?

 

[Brigadier]

How would you propose to join the steel pipe to the radiator valve when shortened?

I'd guess at nut and olive (no ptfe!), but is it a trick question?

Who mentioned it was a steel pipe?

I'd presumed that, as one part is threaded, that would definitely not be copper.
Are you saying that the pipe part is copper, with a chrome finish?

 

[Nige F]

a rad tail is brass chromed - you can cut a bit off so the valve sits closer to the rad. I use hemp+paste on the threads and paste on the olive, cuz I've got a load left.

 

[durhamplumber]

use hemp+paste on the threads and paste on the olive, cuz I've got a load left.

.....Never

 

[Hot&Cold]

Brigadar.please remember the tails need a defined length so the olive can compress to provide a watertight seal also consider the tail popping out of the radiator valve when the supply pipe is bashed with a vacuum cleaner.