Nipping up Conex vs the rest

[niftyprose]

Hello guys, first post here.

While I prefer copper-and-solder, I've used compression fittings successfully in the past, and I opted for compression throughout the present job because I'm tight for space.

I got most of the fittings from the local Toolstation. They're standard 15mm equal tees and 90degree elbows, the type that the chain brands as "Made4Trade". (I've seen them sold by other vendors under various different brands.)

To get pipework into a very narrow channel, I also special-ordered some Conex "obtuse elbows", 135degree bends. It's my first experience of Conex components, which cost about four times as much as the Toolstation stuff.

Here's the thing. When I opened up the stopcock this morning, the Made4Trade stuff was fine, but I got some dribbles off the Conex. They were fine after I went back and nipped them up again, but I had to apply about twice as much torque as I'd normally have done.

Are Conex designed for extra grunt?

Best, NP

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What olives where in each fitting bet you had brass in the conex and copper in the tool station ones

Brass olives require a bit more force than copper olives

 

[niftyprose]

Got it in one, Shaun! All the fittings ship with olives, but the Toolstation ones are copper while the Conex ones are brass. Is there any reason to prefer brass to copper? It's not that I'm wimpy, but I worry about overtightening...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

More likely to remove brass olives and better for compression onto harder materials eg brass drain off / valve etc

 

[niftyprose]

Gotcha Shaun. Appreciate the advice. I'll grit my teeth and get a longer wrench... Best, NP.