Calling all plumbing experts...

[samnaz]

Please, NO SANDING. The cleaner/primer as well as the cement will soften the pipe/fitting allowing them to slip together very easily....all the way to the stop.

If you haven't purchased the cement yet, the cleaner/primer and cement come as a kit.

Note that this primer is purple, which is required when used in "coded" applications. If you don't wish to see this purple, you still can purchase clear primer.

So to summarize, clean/prime both fitting and pipe. That is, take the little applicator that's attached to the top of the can and brush/apply all the way around the pipe/fitting. Apply cement in a similar manner with that brush in the top of the can.... to both fitting and pipe and slip together until the pipe stops, and now give it a quarter twist and hold for 10-15 seconds until it sets. Done! You're now a plumbing expert!

That's the exact primer/cement I have, great. No sanding, got it! Thanks a lot.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

That's the exact primer/cement I have, great. No sanding, got it! Thanks a lot.

When using primer I always dip the dobber then shake off all the excess then prime the pipe and fittings. That dobber soaks up way more than you need and it drips all over and statys wet for a long time

 

[Mtnbikedan01]

Look up PVC chamfer tool. The correct way to do pvc plumbing is to use the tool to put an angle on the end of the pipe. I straight edge can clean off some of the cement. Make your measurements, chamfer the ends, clean, primer, and cement your fittings and pipe. Fully install and HOLD the pipe into the fittings for 30-60 seconds. I’ve built 80,000 gpd desalination systems this way and never had leaks on the pvc side. Good luck

 

[Mtnbikedan01]

Look up PVC chamfer tool. The correct way to do pvc plumbing is to use the tool to put an angle on the end of the pipe. I straight edge can clean off some of the cement. Make your measurements, chamfer the ends, clean, primer, and cement your fittings and pipe. Fully install and HOLD the pipe into the fittings for 30-60 seconds. I’ve built 80,000 gpd desalination systems this way and never had leaks on the pvc side. Good luck

 

[fijiphil]

One additional tip is to sand the outside edge of your pipe cuts so they have an approx 45 degree shoulder.
This stops the edge of the pipe scrapping the softened surface of the fitting as the pipe is inserted. Like this...

A blunt edge to the pipe can scrape the inside the fitting and make a 'heap' of PVC material that sets and starts blocking flow and collecting rubbish.

 

[fijiphil]

Look up PVC chamfer tool. The correct way to do pvc plumbing is to use the tool to put an angle on the end of the pipe. I straight edge can clean off some of the cement. Make your measurements, chamfer the ends, clean, primer, and cement your fittings and pipe. Fully install and HOLD the pipe into the fittings for 30-60 seconds. I’ve built 80,000 gpd desalination systems this way and never had leaks on the pvc side. Good luck

Exactly on point and beat me by seconds...LOL

 

[Fin]

Beveling tool...

 

[fijiphil]

Beveling tool...

Wish I had had a few of those when plumbing our systems. No one had ever heard of such a thing in Fiji... We did it the hard way!

4 x 3,000 liter display tanks with C to C overflow to Beananimal drains to 4 x 500 liter sumps, 4 x Wave II return pumps, 4 x Wave II closed loop pumps,
8 x Oceans Motion Flow Directors, 4 x 200 watt UV systems, 4 x AquaC EV 2000 Protein Skimmers, 2 x Profilux Controllers, 4 x GHL dosing pumps,
14 x Orphek Atlantik V3+ LED units, 300 GPD RO/DI System, 2 x Storm & Renew auto water change & top off systems.

 

[samnaz]

I got a cheap chamfer / beveling tool but it doesn't work well at all. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it's just not a good one...

Here is the one I have.

It creates a very rough edge and I can't get it to cut smoothly. I then have to file the edges but the grooves the chamfer tool creates are deep so it takes a while. here's an example (chamfered using the tool)...




Bad, eh?

 

[fijiphil]

I'd dump that tool and wrap 80 grit sand paper on a block and while holding the pipe at 45 degrees, rub the pipe on the sand paper while rotating the pipe.

 

[wangspeed]

I use a file to bevel the edge, and take off the “lip” that forms on one side from using pvc cutters.

 

[Fin]

No, shouldn't look like that. Mine comes out nice and smooth. I firmly hold the tool in my hand and rotate the pipe, not the other way around. It works kinda like an old fashioned pencil sharpener, but for PVC pipe. Maybe try using it like that, if you haven't already.

 

[drtrash]

Fin, where did you get tool?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Is rubbing alcohol the best way to clean the pipe beforehand?

The PVC primer will clean the pipe and get it ready for the glue. Many other cleansers can leave behind residue that may interact with the glue keeping it from forming a solid bond. If you use high quality PVC primer and glue such as Weld-On P68 clear primer and Weld-On 711 glue you won't have to worry about leaks or the fittings ever coming apart. More times than I can count I have had glued joints leak or fail when using the cheap hardware store pvc glues, but not once have I ever had a failure or leak with Weld-On. Just be sure to use a de-burring tool or router to clean up the ends of the pipe prior to gluing. No matter how you cut the pipe, it will either leave a raised lip that will push all the glue out when assembling the pipe after gluing, or leave little burs that can leave streaks in the glue when assembling. Another tip is when you assemble the fittings as you glue them, give the pieces a twist as you line up your marks, then hold the parts together for at least 30 seconds. Doing this will spread the glue more evenly in the joint and keep it together as the glue expands a little bit as it cures. If you pay a little extra attention to this, you will never have a leaky fitting causing headaches or frustrations.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I got a cheap chamfer / beveling tool but it doesn't work well at all. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it's just not a good one...

Here is the one I have.

It creates a very rough edge and I can't get it to cut smoothly. I then have to file the edges but the grooves the chamfer tool creates are deep so it takes a while. here's an example (chamfered using the tool)...




Bad, eh?

Turn the pipe not the tool. If you hold the tool in your right hand, rotate the pipe clockwise or away from you. It will create a much cleaner end than this.

 

[afuel]

I got a cheap chamfer / beveling tool but it doesn't work well at all. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it's just not a good one...

Here is the one I have.

It creates a very rough edge and I can't get it to cut smoothly. I then have to file the edges but the grooves the chamfer tool creates are deep so it takes a while. here's an example (chamfered using the tool)...




Bad, eh?

That tool is best used for copper

 

[Porpoise Hork]

That tool is best used for copper

I just finished using this same tool on about 80+ pipe ends and it works fairly well on pvc if you only turn it in the one direction. If you rotate it back and forth or in counter clockwise it will chew the crap out of the end much like samnaz has shown. There are no instructions with it either. Just comes in a box with the tool in it. It took me a few tries to figure out how to use it correctly.

 

[samnaz]

That tool is best used for copper

yeah well the description / package didn't say that, it just said "for use with PVC and copper" so I thought give it a try. thanks for the tip.

Turn the pipe not the tool. If you hold the tool in your right hand, rotate the pipe clockwise or away from you. It will create a much cleaner end than this.

I just finished using this same tool on about 80+ pipe ends and it works fairly well on pvc if you only turn it in the one direction. If you rotate it back and forth or in counter clockwise it will chew the crap out of the end much like samnaz has shown. There are no instructions with it either. Just comes in a box with the tool in it. It took me a few tries to figure out how to use it correctly.

I only chamfered those pipes for the purpose of posting a photo to show how crappy the tool is, I did a quick and sloppy job (obviously). But I assure you, my technique is not the problem... I did not rotate it back and forth or backwards or upside down. When I use the inner chamfering tool it works flawlessly. Yet I can't get a clean outside edge. If you do in fact have the same exact tool, I must have received a partially broken one or something. Maybe you have one that looks similar but is of better quality?

No, shouldn't look like that. Mine comes out nice and smooth. I firmly hold the tool in my hand and rotate the pipe, not the other way around. It works kinda like an old fashioned pencil sharpener, but for PVC pipe. Maybe try using it like that, if you haven't already.

now that's what I'm talkin about... where can I find the same tool you're using? think I need one of those.

 

[cobast]

Samnaz, plumbing primer is just MEK and not all of it is coloured. I was using clear yesterday. The colour is only there so an inspector can confirm the joints have been done correctly. I don't know about using rubbing alcohol though. For the price of the small bottles of primer, you might as well buy it.