1/2" NTP screw on fitting not screw in all the way...


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Old 08-07-20, 02:56 PM
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Question 1/2" NPT screw on fitting not screw in all the way...

I bought a shower valve and it came with two 1/2" NPT fittings, which they do screws onto the valve all the way, but I bought additional SharkBite 1/2" fittings and they won't fit all the way into the valve. On inspection, the two fittings that came with the valve is little shorter and has slightly loose fitting. The SharkBite fitting is tight, and screws in little more than half of the treads leaving about 1/4" remaining. I've tried the SharkBite fitting without the Teflon tape with same result. Looking at the female side of the valve, it's deep enough.

Is it ok that it doesn't screw in all the way?


 

Last edited by itchibahn; 08-07-20 at 04:02 PM.
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Old 08-07-20, 04:03 PM
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That's the way NPT threads are made... tapered... so that's the way they tighten up.

NPT = national pipe thread.
 
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Old 08-07-20, 04:12 PM
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Sorry for such a dumb question, I feel like a numb nut...
Thank you.
 
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Old 08-07-20, 04:18 PM
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No such thing as a dumb question.
 
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Old 08-08-20, 04:58 AM
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NPT fittings can screw in differing amounts depending on the manufacturer's tolerances. Some fittings are every so slightly bigger or smaller. For example a small male fitting will screw very deep into a largish female hole. The other way around (small female and large male) the fitting will only screw in part way before it gets tight. As long as you have at least five threads/turns of engagement it is good.
 
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Old 08-08-20, 05:42 AM
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The other thing that trips up folks is that certain sizes of NPT threads will fit straight threads but the sealing function is lost and people try stuffing large quantities of sealer/tape to seal a joint that was never intended to be!

Years ago I came across thread gauges similar to this, it's a frigging genius product especially with all my vehicles that have mixed uses (Metric and Imperial).

Not specific to NPT but if helps identify a non straight thread!

https://www.rockler.com/thread-detec...RoCRnIQAvD_BwE
 
 

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