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KC

On 2/24/2014 8:02 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 2/24/2014 7:43 PM, KC wrote:
On 2/24/2014 6:05 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 2/24/2014 5:06 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:46:48 -0500, wrote:

I am starting to prefer the teflon paste.

===

Yes. I just finished a fairly complex plumbing job on the boat (new
distribution manifold for 4 zones of A/C cooling water). It has more
than 15 individual pipe joints and is driven by a 1 hp pool pump so
there is lots of pressure and lots of opportunity for leaks. Knock
on wood, everything worked fine with no leaks first time it was
powered up. I've always used teflon tape previously but I've had my
share of failed joints with that.

Teflon tape is tricky to use properly. It is often used in the high
vacuum industry for all the feedthrough fittings that need to seal
against a vacuum equivalent to 200 miles in space to atmospheric
pressure. Too little tape, it leaks. To much it leaks. One secret is
to wrap it in the direction of the thread, so when you are tightening
the connection fitting, the tape is not being stretched back against
itself.

We couldn't use Teflon paste because it never completely cures and would
outgas into the vacuum.

So, is the end of the tape facing the direction of twist, or away from
the direction of twist... I am confused.

The end of the tape wrap will be *away* from the direction of twist to
install the fitting.

Good.. Cause that's the way I been doing it all my life