"I have 1/2" copper fittings, can I use 1/2" o.d. copper tubing with those fittings?"
Probably not. In the plumbing trade when we say 1/2" fittings we mean fittings that use
1/2" nominal pipe. To figure what size pipe to use with standard plumbing fittings, you must add 1/8" to your measurements to know the o.d. (outside diameter) of the pipe.
1/2" nominal fittings use 5/8" od pipe; 3/4" fittings uses 7/8" pipe and so on.
"I need a piece of copper tubing cut exactly 3 feet long.
How accurate are your length cuts? What are your specification tolerances when you send/cut a piece of copper tubing?"
We guarantee that we will send you refrigeration grade soft copper tubing as we show/list.
We also guarantee that if you order a length (such as 3') that you will receive a minimum of what you ordered (3 feet in this example but we might even ship you 3' 2" or 3' 1/2" or as much as 4').
Our length cuts are not accurate (we do guarantee to send at least as long a length as you ordered). We never
send shorter than you order but if you do not have a copper cutter and require an exact
length, then please do not order our copper pipe, as we do not guarantee length accuracy. Please recognize that our copper tubing comes from 50' round rolls.
That means the longest length that we offer is 50' and it also means that the pipe will come slightly bowed (rounded) and not straight.
"I need 15ea. 2' lengths of 1/8"od copper tube, but when I try to enter 2' more
than once, the amount in the shopping cart increases/adds up (ie 2' then 4' then 6' etc)...How can I order 15ea. 2' lengths of copper tubing?"
Because we don't guarantee an exact length of copper tubing, we will send you 30' and
let you cut the copper to the lengths you desire. We only offer one cut piece per tubing size per order.
"Does soft copper have less copper content? In other words, is it less or more pure than straight lengths?"
Hard and soft copper (unless utility grade) are very pure in copper content (99.9% pure copper with no other metals mixed in).
The only difference is the way they are made. There are differences in thickness in copper grades of pipe.
We like refrigeration grade because when we get it, it is "sealed dehydrated" (cleaner than most other grades).
Many codes insist on certain "types" (K, L, or M) of copper and so, if you are plumbing a house, etc. please do not assume that the copper tubing that we offer is code in your area. Check with your local code authorities before ordering.
Generally it is "best" to purchase your copper fittings from us and to purchase your copper pipe and tubing locally. The main reason that we offer the
copper tubing above is for people that only need a small amount or short lengths as well as we offer sizes not found
in many local hardware stores and home centers.
"Why don't you offer pipe for all of the fittings that you sell?"
We wish we could. The "problem" is shipping costs and damage.
Straight 10 or 20 feet lengths simply costs too much to ship. Soft rolls of large diameter copper pipe (tubing)
simply can't fit in small diameter boxes and so, it also costs a tremendous amount for shipping.
Buying on the Internet is a great idea for items where shipping costs make it practical. We ship most plumbing products
but we do limit very fragile products as well as not cost feasible products.
"I have 'refrigeration grade' copper tubing. How do I determine which size copper sweat fittings to use?"
Refrigeration grade copper tubing is sized according to the outside diameter of the copper pipe. The plumbing industry uses the inside diameter (nominal) size of the pipe for their measurement of sweat fittings. To figure what size sweat fittings to use on refrigeration grade tubing you must subtract 1/8" from the outside diameter of the pipe measurements. If you have 1/4" outside diameter refrigeration grade tubing then you will need to order 1/8" (nominal) sweat fittings. Click here to see our conversion table.
"What does 'Nominal' mean?"
Nominal is the term used to describe copper pipe and fittings in plumbing. Nominal refers to the inside diameter of the pipe which varies by thickness of the pipe. The outside is a constant size and is always 1/8" larger than the nominal size. Example: 1/2" nominal is always 5/8" O.D.
"What does it mean to have ANSI Certification for lead free plumbing products?"
Laws requiring plumbing products that come in to contact with drinking water to be essentially lead-free (0.25% weighted average) have been passed in California and Vermont. In order for companies to ship these plumbing products to locations in CA and VT, they must be ANSI certified lead free.
"What is CA AB 1953 and VT S.152?"
CA AB 1953 is a California Assembly Bill that defines "lead free" to mean not more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead content in pipe and fittings. VT S.152 is a Vermont Senate Bill that mimics the California AB 1953 and regulates the amount of lead to a weighted average of 0.25% or less.
We hope that we have helped you on this page with copper tubing,
and thank you for helping to make PlumbingSupply.com the most famous Internet plumbing supplier.
