Water Heaters - Quick Solder ?

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CaryMan
10-19-09, 04:11 PM
Hey Guys,

Is Brass Ball valves sweatable to brass nipple?

lefty
10-19-09, 08:38 PM
Yes.

One of the nuances about this website is that I can't submit an answer that short, therefore, I added this.
CaryMan
10-20-09, 11:50 AM
Thank you Lefty. I realize now that my question was/is cryptic to most members here.

To be specific, I want to solder (copper sweat) a 3/4" brass close nipple (all threads or male) to a 3/4" threaded brass ball valve (all female both ends) to make a permanent assembly.

I only have a propane torch. Will this sweat together just like copper pipe?

Any special considerations to watch out for?

Thanx.

lefty
10-20-09, 11:57 AM
Threaded?? In that case it probably won't work because you have no way to clean the brass well enough for the solder to stick to either piece because of the ridges of the threads.

Simply wrap teflon tape on the male threads and assemble it. As long as you don't take it apart, that's permanent.

The alternative would be to use unthreaded parts.
CaryMan
10-20-09, 12:06 PM
That's what I thought... Threads are not sweatable.

A better question: How to make sure that the close nipple stays with the ball valve if/when this assembly comes out of the appliance? This is an upgraded WH drain valve assembly.

That's what I really want to achieve.
lefty
10-20-09, 12:18 PM
Use pipe dope (Rector seal) on the end going into the tank and teflon tape on the end in the ball valve.
CaryMan
10-20-09, 12:42 PM
That seems counter intuitive. Wouldn't the dope be stronger than the tape over time?
lefty
10-20-09, 02:47 PM
You're right. I misread the last post -- thought you wanted the nipple to stay in the tank. My bad. Use the dope on the end that you want the nipple to stay attached to.