Teflon Tape Question

[nlinaz]

Ok, so I have everything ready and hooked up. I check for leaks and find 2. At both ends of regulator. So I put teflon tape on the threads and put back together and the soap I use dissolves the teflon tape that was sticking out of the threads! (palmolive liquid soap w/water in a squit bottle)
ETA: I just looked at the teflon and its still there, it didn't dissolve. I will try again!!
Do you use a lot of the teflon?
Should I buy the sealant-dope for threads? Is the cure time really 2 days?
Do both?

Nancy

[Dale M.]

Ok, so I have everything ready and hooked up. I check for leaks and find 2. At both ends of regulator. So I put teflon tape on the threads and put back together and the soap I use dissolves the teflon tape that was sticking out of the threads! (palmolive liquid soap w/water in a squit bottle)
ETA: I just looked at the teflon and its still there, it didn't dissolve. I will try again!!
Do you use a lot of the teflon?
Should I buy the sealant-dope for threads? Is the cure time really 2 days?
Do both?

Nancy

You should have 2-3 layers of tape on threads, and if it still leaks it probably needs to be a smidge tighter... Those are tapered threads and some time it takes some effort to get them to seal...

Dale

[nlinaz]

Awesome!! Once again Thanks Dale!!:grin:
Nancy

[boroburner]

Also always make sure you put the tape on in the direction of the thread.
B

[boroburner]

And dont forget teflon tape contains oils and should not be used on Oxy lines, as it could cause an explosion, and also will most likely void your insurance.
B

[Dale M.]

And dont forget teflon tape contains oils and should not be used on Oxy lines, as it could cause an explosion, and also will most likely void your insurance.
B

I think you may be mistaken about this..... Teflon tape is approved for oxygen use!...It does not contain any oils. It is "pipe dope" that contains oils and should not be used on oxygen fittings.

Dale

[boroburner]

huh.... The gas co said i had to use special Oxy tape, as the teflon did contain oil. I bought some at my local weld suply and its yellow not white like the teflon. Any idea what it would be?
B

[Dale M.]

There was a discussion on that some time back ( maybe a 6 months ago) and I dont member exactly what the correct answer is... Maybe If you do a search it will turn up... I have not got time now, but will look into it as soon as I can...

Edit!....

See this thread in ISGB forum....

http://www.isgb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7153&highlight=teflon+tape

Seems that YELLOW Teflon may be more proper for GAS connections and White Teflon is the proper tape for OXYGEN connections.

EDIT- MORE Information!

Here is some more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape


Dale

[fishtrapper]

The tech at my welding shop told me the brass to brass of threaded fittings is the tightest you can get, that adding tape is actually less secure. This contradicts what has be voiced here, but I've been using brass to brass for four years and only found a leak once, which was solved with more tightening. Also, if you have a spray bottle of glass cleaner (Windex, etc.) in your studio, it works well for spraying to check for leaks, it will bubble nicely, and eliminates the extra bottle for soapy water.

Terri Budrow-Nelson

[boroburner]

K im gonna call the gas guys an get to the bottom of it! This is buggin me.
B

[boroburner]

OK time to eat crow.........
I was wrong, i just called my gas guy and he says that teflon is safe to use. I dunno where i heard it wasnt, but im sure i didnt just make it up? Sorry for passing on misinformation.
B