Question about hooking up a propane meter

[MisterSteve124]

when I attach the meter to the chamber with the elbow do I have to use a tap/die or whatever when the elbow goes into the chamber or can I just drill the hole a little smaller and screw it in by hand to have the threads dig into the pvc? So do I need a tap/die? Has anyone ever done it without a tap/die? Please if anyone can answere these questions I would appreciate your help because I am hoping to go to Lowe's tonight.

P.S. Does anyone know if Lowe's carries Pressure rated pvc fittings for 3 inch pipe?

[spudzinger]

From what little I know about plumbing, but more so I know this from just drilling pilot holes. The pilot hole shole be about the size of the pipe without the threads. Along with some plumbers tape it should work, I think. Also, how thick is the pipe, because that could seriously affect how it would work. Hope this helps, although it might not at all.

[MisterSteve124]

Yeah thats what I was thinking but I just want someone to tell me if it will work for sure.

[SpudStuff]

It is HIGHLY reccomended you tap. If not you can very carefully drill a super streight 1/2" hole for 1/4" pipe. Use no tape the first time threading it in, then remove it and use tape. this will cut very shallow threads.

[MisterSteve124]

yeah I don't have a tap though and I don't feel like buying one. I will do that and use extra teflon and epoxy.

[Pete Zaria]

I drilled a hole about 1/8th" smaller than the threads on the elbow, and threaded it in with a monkey wrench, carefully, with 3-4 wraps of Teflon tape. Then I put some epoxy on both sides where the elbow meets the chamber to be safe. That gun has probably 500+ shots fired on it, no problems.

Just my experience.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[MisterSteve124]

What do you mean you threaded it with a monkey wrench? You used the monkey wrench to tighten the elbow?

[Pete Zaria]

Yep. Started it by hand for the first 1-2 turns, then used a big wrench (probably not actually a monkey wrench, more like a crescent wrench) to screw it in until the elbow part met the chamber.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[MisterSteve124]

Yeah thanks for the advice that's probably what I'll end up doing once I get all the parts. It is pretty confusing looking for all those peices on a huge wall filled with hundreds of different fittings.

[mark.f]

I used a 7/16" bit for my first cannon, tapping a 1/4" MNPT x 1/4" hose barb adapter into a sprinkler valve. I figured since that's the drill size they use for 1/4" NPT taps, it would work with the adapter. It was a little difficult to get started, but eventually I got it threaded good.

If you want to try just drilling a hole, go ahead. If you screw up, just redrill for the next size pipe up and use a tap.

[MisterSteve124]

yeah I'll give it a shot once I get the rest of the stuff I need. Thanks for your help guys.