Airline Question - Hardline to Regulator/Filter

[Winmon]

This is going to have a real obvious answer to it, but for some reason it is escaping me.

I am working on getting my airline set up completed and was about to solder on a copper fitting going from 1/2" copper pipe to 1/2" male NPT thread which then will connect to my 1/2" inlet on my inline filter/regulator. Then it dawned on me, how am I going to screw the filter/regulator on with it being up against the wall???

How are you guys getting inline filters/regulators onto the hardline without a swivel fitting ??

Here is a picture of what I have....

And I have basically the same question with getting the hose reel hooked up. I bought a 3' lead in hose to go from the hardline to hose reel. Lead in hose has male 1/4" NPT on both ends.

After screwing in one end of the hose, how do you screw in the other without using some sort of swivel end??

 

[Worsedog]

You want to use a union there.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

It is called a union. They are known to leak (when used for air) so put a dap of pipe dope on the mating surfaces before joining the assembly.

 

[Winmon]

Thanks guys!!

 

[7th Kahuna]

It is called a union. They are known to leak (when used for air) so put a dap of pipe dope on the mating surfaces before joining the assembly.

Pipe dope is a good idea but are there any concerns about it getting loose in the line? I know Teflon paste loose in an irrigation system can be a problem. Are you just being very careful about placement in the joint and quantity used?

 

[Kevin C]

Pipe dope is a good idea but are there any concerns about it getting loose in the line? I know Teflon paste loose in an irrigation system can be a problem. Are you just being very careful about placement in the joint and quantity used?

I just use compressed air to blow the lines out...

 

[akdiesel]

Pipe dope is a good idea but are there any concerns about it getting loose in the line? I know Teflon paste loose in an irrigation system can be a problem. Are you just being very careful about placement in the joint and quantity used?

The small amount used to get a good seal should not be a problem, but the air pressure on your system will keep it from getting into the air stream.

 

[CNGsaves]

If you don't think you'll ever need to take off the Milton coalscing filter housing and regulator (ie do without a union), you could just cut the copper pipe after that first 90 degree elbow. Thus, build your entire filter/regulator "fixture" and solder onto the airline system copper.

This hamstrings future changes, but you'd be awful sure it would not leak.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yep a union will help out. When I replumbed my airlines, I had to buy a few extras as I didn't plan ahead.

 

[csp]

For my hose reel I used a hydraulic hose which is threaded on both ends. Threaded one end into the reel and threaded a sharkbite fitting onto the other end. Then slid the sharkbit fitting onto the 3/4" copper pipe. The sharkbit is pretty easy to remove if needed.

 

[Fixnair]

Why don't you just disassemble the filter housing. The amount of swing required to unscrew it is less than the stand off amount of the unistrut. Same with the regulator. Remove the gauge and release the tension on your pressure adjustment screw and remove the four cap screws holding the spring body on. Careful to note how the prts go back together.