15m copper tails

[leslie50]

Need to cut down 15m copper tails, it is a mono tap for a small corner basin, and the tails are too long, as the copper is soft and flexible is it best to use a small hacksaw rather then a pipe cutter.Regards

 

[GQuigley67]

pipe slices are fine just watch you don't damage the threads that go into the tap, or if you can remove it from tap then cut and put it back in

 

[Paulus]

Manufacturers usually advise not to cut tails although I have with a pipe slice in the past, alternative is to replace with flexi's.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

I would sat try flexis in this instance

 

[stevetheplumber]

some have rolled ends for strength cutting them will cause the tails to collapse id use flexis

 

[tamz]

If you need to cut them use a junior hacksaw but best to use flexi's

 

[AWheating]

its also best not to use compression fittings onto the tails, the soft copper can cause problems with olive bite. as others have said flexi's would be best.

 

[pobsdad]

I never thought I'd hear a bunch of professional plumbobs recommend flexi's!Whatever happened to real plumbing?And where can I get lead pipe?

 

[Gray0689]

I never thought I'd hear a bunch of professional plumbobs recommend flexi's!Whatever happened to real plumbing?And where can I get lead pipe?

Well as most top end taps now come with flexi tails don't see a problem

 

[WaterTight]

I had no idea you might not be adsvised to cut or compress onto mono tails. I've done both a hundred times. No probs yet but maybe they're all about to go..............................NOW

 

[WaterTight]

p.s. perhaps if i ever read instructions...

 

[tackleburger]

Some tails are soft others are the same as table x pipe. The soft stuff you simply can't cut with a pipe slice unless it's a manual one. me I'd use a hacksaw. Of course you can cut them never heard or read anything that says you can't. Any experienced plumber can tell decent tails from flimsy rubbish. It doesn't matter where you get them either I fitted a b&q tap the other week and the tails were solid. As for flexis they are for short course boys and DIYers and are usually rubbish.

 

[GQuigley67]

I've not had any problems cutting or using compression fittings with them

 

[Gray0689]

I've not had any problems cutting or using compression fittings with them

Me neither lol

 

[GQuigley67]

the copper tails are not that soft, sure you can bend them because of the small diameter copper at the top which is just the same as 10mm you can bend that aswell, doesn't mean you can't cut it. Never had the impression that they were any different from normal copper imho.....well the ones I have fitted anyway

 

[tackleburger]

I've not had any problems cutting or using compression fittings with them

Nor me some guys on here talk complete nonsense honestly, can't cut tap tails dear dear...

 

[GQuigley67]

when I worked on site flexis were forbidden on most sites, so it was all rigid tails either soldered on or compression.

 

[AWheating]

last lot of bristan tap tails i had where so poor, copper was so soft it took a while to reshape them to get a fitting on. that was on all 64 basin mixer taps i fitted on the site, there was no way i would have put a compression fitting on them.

 

[AWheating]

when I worked on site flexis were forbidden on most sites, so it was all rigid tails either soldered on or compression.

personally you fit the tail that come with the tap, if somebody wants different then they pay!

 

[tackleburger]

last lot of bristan tap tails i had where so poor, copper was so soft it took a while to reshape them to get a fitting on. that was on all 64 basin mixer taps i fitted on the site, there was no way i would have put a compression fitting on them.

Could believe it mate but a compression fitting will work no probs.

 

[Dannypipe]

last lot of bristan tap tails i had where so poor, copper was so soft it took a while to reshape them to get a fitting on. that was on all 64 basin mixer taps i fitted on the site, there was no way i would have put a compression fitting on them.

Yeah they were crap. Last year, I had a simple morning job to change a basin mono tap (as above) the tails were rubbish. Ended up binning them and buying flexi's. Not a cop out, they were awful. I'm a big Bristan fan too.

Anyway, I have used compression joints on copper tails, no problem. I've also soldered them in the past....a loooooong time ago. Not sure if I'd do that now!!

 

[GQuigley67]

personally you fit the tail that come with the tap, if somebody wants different then they pay!

no they came with flexis we had to order rigid tails, was either something to do with bacteria or they were not guaranteed for very long. I've yet to come across those type of tails so can't say for myself

 

[AWheating]

Yeah they were crap. Last year, I had a simple morning job to change a basin mono tap (as above) the tails were rubbish. Ended up binning them and buying flexi's. Not a cop out, they were awful. I'm a big Bristan fan too.

Anyway, I have used compression joints on copper tails, no problem. I've also soldered them in the past....a loooooong time ago. Not sure if I'd do that now!!

one of the things that puts me off compression is that many fit iso valves straight on and dont leave any room to access them if they drip, you atleast need to seperate the fittings apart or stagger them in height..... I guess the cowboys who leaks i have had to repair have put me completely off compression for this.

 

[AWheating]

no they came with flexis we had to order rigid tails, was either something to do with bacteria or they were not guaranteed for very long. I've yet to come across those type of tails so can't say for myself

it would depend if the client specd the tap, if so i would make them pay for the change.

i do disagree with people saying flexi's are only for diyers tho, you fit what comes with the tap! I have had taps costing over 400 squids come with flexi tails.

 

[Gray0689]

it would depend if the client specd the tap, if so i would make them pay for the change.

i do disagree with people saying flexi's are only for diyers tho, you fit what comes with the tap! I have had taps costing over 400 squids come with flexi tails.

I agree flexis are fine I have never saw a flexi fail if fitted correctly

 

[WaterTight]

Actually now that it's been mentioned I do seem to recall cutting a tail with my pipe slice and it just getting chewed. I think I remember blaming my slice.

 

[GQuigley67]

they would of payed for it no doubt, it was NHS so was all stainless steel pipe maybe that was something to do with the material and bacteria or it was that they werent guaranteed as long as rigid pipework.

Flexi's are great I'm not knocking them

 

[WaterTight]

I have seen at least 2 or 3 flexis that have split. And they weren't twisted or under duress. They start to go black in an area, that's the first sign. And then it's a matter of time. Might only be cheap imports though.

 

[WaterTight]

This thread is moving so fast it's like a chatroom

 

[AWheating]

wras approved should be min standard, alot of cheap tat about thats for sure.

 

[tackleburger]

they would of payed for it no doubt, it was NHS so was all stainless steel pipe maybe that was something to do with the material and bacteria or it was that they werent guaranteed as long as rigid pipework.

Flexi's are great I'm not knocking them

Your right about that quigs. i've done a good few hospital washrooms and on every occasion I have had to order rigid tails seperately from armitage Shanks because flexis aren't a wipeable surface. Joke is this is the shanks hospital range yet they supply flexis which are not allowed.

As for flexis in general if supplied I'l fit them but won't go and buy thenm to use instead of the rigid tails.