Quick copper question

[Fnord]

Is it possible to put 1/2" copper pipe completely through a 1/2" copper tee (with modification)?

I've never worked with copper before, but after studying several cannons it looks like the tee design might vary depending on the manufacturer. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, it looks like the reducing tees people use in piston valves might work, provided the reducer part was cut off. Anyone?

[sniper hero]

I guess when you han a 1/2" drill bit you can just drill out the T so the pipe can pass through

there are differences in T-pieces

[john bunsenburner]

Perhaps you can heat the tea or cool the copper if either one if it is too small or too big to fit...

[Fnord]

I guess when you han a 1/2" drill bit you can just drill out the T so the pipe can pass through

That's what I was considering, but from what I've seen it looks like tees get too thin near the middle to do it.

Perhaps you can heat the tea or cool the copper if either one is too small or too big to fit...

Well, both of them will be heated when I apply solder. I can't have any dents or distortions in the 1/2" pipe, either. It'll have o-rings in it later.

[john bunsenburner]

And getting soem sanding paper and sanding down the pipe?

[sniper hero]

can you tell why you want this? there might be an other solution.

[Gippeto]

I drilled and sanded (used a dremel) a couple of 1/2" tees to make a barrel support and the transfer port piece for a copper gun I'm working on. (Chamber sealer with a bolt action breech.)

Will you be able to see whether the solder makes it all the way through the tee?

Or could you possibly apply the solder from the branch? You'll want to join/seal any thin sections of the tee to the pipe to keep the pressure away from them.

If so, the area of concern will be the amount of material left in the branch to take any tension stresses.

How much pressure are you planning in the branch?

You'll need a 5/8" drill for 1/2" copper.

[Fnord]

Thanks Gippeto.

This will be used at a maximum of 140 psi in very low volumes, as it's part of a custom propane meter I'm working on.

You'll see everything when some warmer weather shows up here.
(Then, if everything goes ok I'll turn it into a How-to).

[Gippeto]

140 psi should not pose any problems.

Now that you've piqued my curiosity, I look forward to it.

[Velocity]

If you have a lathe, you could probably bore it out pretty easily...I have a few extra 1/2" copper tees on hand, so once I get my lathe setup again (removed parts for maintenance) I'll give it a shot.

[Fnord]

I just bought a couple and they turned out quite good after dremeling them with a sanding drum bit.

Now that you've piqued my curiosity, I look forward to it.

Well it's just a simple "one touch" meter, but built in a way that anyone with a drill and dremel can make.