Question on copper tube OD vs ID , parts etc

miserkris

New member
For connecting a bigger outlet compared to a vampire tap now for rodi....I am trying to add a copper" Tee" to a cold water copper tube in my basement.

When I measured the diameter it's exactly 7/8"....used a calipers to measure.(pic 1,2)

What size Tee should I get? I guess ID should be little less than 7/8"?

Reason for my confusion is...
I bought the wrong sizes today and realised the 1/2" PEX is actually 5/8"OD.(pic 3)
so unsure what size to buy for copper tube that's exactly 7/8"OD.

pls advice thx
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I would get a fitting that has an internal diameter of 7/8" (sorry, couldn't resist!!!). That is 3/4" copper pipe, use a 3/4" fitting.
 
I would get a fitting that has an internal diameter of 7/8" (sorry, couldn't resist!!!). That is 3/4" copper pipe, use a 3/4" fitting.
Thanks that was my guess initially...

So how much should I cut the pipe and remove a piece for inserting the 3/4" Tee?

I'm guessing till half inch can be pushed into both sides into the copper push connect Tee?

Is it easy to cut pipe using this(what the HD guy gave):

Thanks...never cut copper pipe before!
[emoji3] [emoji106]
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That will cut the pipe pretty easy just go slow. Snug it down, spin a couple times, snug again, spin again, etc. If you try to tighten too much at once it will dent the pipe and not work.
 
That will cut the pipe pretty easy just go slow. Snug it down, spin a couple times, snug again, spin again, etc. If you try to tighten too much at once it will dent the pipe and not work.
Worked THANKS

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BTW if you have never cut copper before you also have to sweat the copper fittings - which is not a trivial skill.
 
BTW if you have never cut copper before you also have to sweat the copper fittings - which is not a trivial skill.

sweat = solder for you layman..

Or just stick it in a corner.. Get all up in its face and go drill Sargent on it... Thats how to make copper sweat..
 
BTW if you have never cut copper before you also have to sweat the copper fittings - which is not a trivial skill.

I would STRONGLY suggest that you buy a few extra fittings and a length of tubing to practice with. It is not hard once you learn how, but it is nowhere near as forgiving as PVC. If done wrong it WILL leak - either as soon as you turn the water back on or sometime down the road, usually right after you've left for a 2 week vacation. It won't be a small flood if it does. A neighbor filled his basement because he thought he knew what he was doing.

sweat = solder for you layman..

Or just stick it in a corner.. Get all up in its face and go drill Sargent on it... Thats how to make copper sweat..

Or go this route:hmm4:
 
Missed the comment about 'push connect T' - something like a sharkbite T? Never used one myself, but avoids the need for soldering.
 
Missed the comment about 'push connect T' - something like a sharkbite T? Never used one myself, but avoids the need for soldering.

Well that's just cheating...........


I have used them a couple times in the past in places where I wasn't comfortable using a propane torch, but I'm still not convinced as to their long term viability. They also cost about 15x more than a standard fitting.
 
And in the future...
Google "copper tube dimensions" and voila...
Do this google nominal pipe diameters for whatever pipe material you are working with, pipe sizes are rather non-intuitive. As you see below a *5/8"* nominal pipe size actually has an OD of 3/4", fittings are often named for nominal pipe size they are meant to work with not their ID or OD
For Copper pipes:
Nominal
Pipe Size
(inches) O.D. I.D.
1/4 0.375 0.305
3/8 0.500 0.402
1/2 0.625 0.527
5/8 0.750 0.652
 
Well that's just cheating...........


I have used them a couple times in the past in places where I wasn't comfortable using a propane torch, but I'm still not convinced as to their long term viability. They also cost about 15x more than a standard fitting.

Of course if you don't do copper plumbing you would need a torch head/propane tank/flux/solder,etc... so the cost difference is minimal..

FYI.. I've used a sharkbite on all PEX 10+ years ago and its been 100% fine.. No leaks at all.. They are reliable..

But yes.... cheater :p
 
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