Removing glued fittings
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:45 pm
So, apparently it can be done.
Recently, I made a little 1" porting pvc plinker since I was bored. After some tweaking I was ready to assemble it for good. Since I was using pvc and I wanted the piston serviceable, I used a re-inforced cleanout cap(nsf-pw plugs apparently don't exist here).
After applying a goodly coating of PTFE, I proceeded to crank 'er down nice and tight.
*crack*
(insert FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU guy)
Well, that didn't work. The female adaptor split, taking a bit of the piston housing with it (did not affect the tee).
I did not want to start over, so I decided to see how well pvc glue really does bond fittings...
After about 20 minutes of slowly heating with a pencil torch and peeling it away with vice grips, I removed the cracked fitting with no damage to the valve. At this point I am certain of my solvent welding ability and that the cans of primer and cement were fresh. PVC glue simply does not join as well as the prophecy foretold.
You may have noticed the paint. To answer a question posed a while back by JSR,
this is why I dont make nice things!
I plan on trying to remove the inner pipe as well, then redoing it with a layer of fiberglass around the new threaded adaptor. I doubt it will break again.
Recently, I made a little 1" porting pvc plinker since I was bored. After some tweaking I was ready to assemble it for good. Since I was using pvc and I wanted the piston serviceable, I used a re-inforced cleanout cap(nsf-pw plugs apparently don't exist here).
After applying a goodly coating of PTFE, I proceeded to crank 'er down nice and tight.
*crack*
(insert FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU guy)
Well, that didn't work. The female adaptor split, taking a bit of the piston housing with it (did not affect the tee).
I did not want to start over, so I decided to see how well pvc glue really does bond fittings...
After about 20 minutes of slowly heating with a pencil torch and peeling it away with vice grips, I removed the cracked fitting with no damage to the valve. At this point I am certain of my solvent welding ability and that the cans of primer and cement were fresh. PVC glue simply does not join as well as the prophecy foretold.
You may have noticed the paint. To answer a question posed a while back by JSR,
this is why I dont make nice things!
I plan on trying to remove the inner pipe as well, then redoing it with a layer of fiberglass around the new threaded adaptor. I doubt it will break again.
Glad to see it worked for you.
