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How to sweat Oatey valve without destroying it

6303 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  TheEplumber
I have the Oatey 38530 washing machine box that I like to install this weekend. The valves are designed for sweat connections but they have a plastic hub on them - I would think the hub would be removed for sweating but applying some force to it did not unscrew it from the hub. I have sent an e-mail to Oatey tech support but have not received a reply, so any help from the forum would be welcomed.

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They do come apart, or just pre sweat a female adapter to the pipe at least six inches or more then screw it on to the nipple, now your next solder joint should be fare enough from the plastic to avoid melting it.
Ayuh,.... Either slide/ unscrew the plastic piece outa the way, or use the Threads, insteada sweatin' it...
Thanks for the reply. I took a closer look at the valve and it does look like it is a press fit - is this correct and would I* have to push the plastic part off as suppose to try to unscrew it.

The wall will be finished with tiles so I want to sweat the connection and avoid possible leaks in the future - as well I plan to turn the valves off when not in use so I like them to be well seated in the plastic hubs and not have any play.
The faucet or valve should be in the open position before soldering/sweating.

If possible, wrap a few layers of cloth or absorbent paper around the metal between where you are soldering and the plastic components and soak this with water.

Electronic solder (60/40 or 62/38) has a lower melting point compared with plumbing solder (50/50 or 40/60) and this reduces the chance of damage from soldering heat.
It also has a rosin core that can pinhole and cause leaks, as far as I know. Ive never used it for plumbing for that reason. He should just use the drop eared threaded Shower L's
Wrap the brass nipple in a wet rag, use a fine flame on your torch. Heat the pipe first then move the torch to the fitting and solder quickly. Apply no more heat then necessary. You can also Clamp it in a vice- it will serve as a heat sink
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