Darn Teflon

[cvhsrobotics]

This year I was the only team member that setup the Pnuematics, I just still have not gotten the trick of teflon, It grids of when you screw it in and that caused us a piston that got jammed.

Tips?

[sanddrag]

Hrrmm. Never had that happen. Are you wrapping it in the correct direction?

[FizMan]

Try and try again; had to try a couple times every now and again when the teflon wouldn't screw in right.

[greencactus3]

are you layering the teflon too much? that or you're wrapping in the wrong direction. i think... i used to have that problem, and i just ignored it...luckly it didnt jam anything, and eventually i think learned how to do it now.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by cvhsrobotics

This year I was the only team member that setup the Pnuematics, I just still have not gotten the trick of teflon, It grids of when you screw it in and that caused us a piston that got jammed.

Tips?

Generally you don't need more than two or three wraps of teflon tape to get a good seal. If you do then the threads are bad and you need to junk the fitting. DO NOT wrap all the way to the end of the threads. Leave a little gap uncovered and you will prevent pieces getting lose and jamming things up

[dez250]

I would suggest you taking a look in the FIRST Pneumatics Manual for in it the proper use if the teflon tape on the parts is shown, it shows you about how much to put on and where not to put the tape. I know that has helped out many people this past year.

[RudimentaryPeni]

There is a like paste stuff that you can put on it too, i dont know what it is called or if its legal or not but all i know is i have seen it used for fixing older pipe. You may want to check out the local Home Depot or Lowe's and ask them about it! (thought i would throw in an ad)

[Tristan Lall]

You might find it called "pipe dope" or "pipe thread sealant" or some such thing. Depending on the type of fitting, and on how often it is removed and replaced, that may be a viable option. It goes on messy, and doesn't really dry (like a glue would), but forms a airtight seal between the threads. As always, apply it sparingly, and don't let any get inside of the fitting (just on the thread surface).

Note that neither pipe dope nor teflon tape are appropriate for some high pressure fluid lines (like hydraulics)--that shouldn't be a problem for FIRST, but in the "real world" you may encounter dry compression threads (e.g. tapered plugs on hydraulic systems).

[cvhsrobotics]

I see I put teflon on the first ring or the screw and the First Pneumatics Manual said not to

[Jay H 237]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

You might find it called "pipe dope" or "pipe thread sealant" or some such thing. Depending on the type of fitting, and on how often it is removed and replaced, that may be a viable option.

I also would like to add that Loctite makes a thread sealant also. It's more liquid (not as thick) as the typical brush on gray pipe sealant you get at hardware/home improvement stores. For the small 1/8" or so threads we use on the pnuematics in our kit it would be a better option. It is also removable (not permanent) so if you need to replace fittings or cylinders all is not lost. The gray stuff will work but it's more designed for larger fittings like the pipes in your house.

I also want to say it should be one or the other. You should never us pipe sealant and teflon on the same joint.

And a little hint. For most threads (right hand) if you hold the fitting with the threads facing you and wrap the teflon tape clockwise you will wrap it in the correct direction and not have to worry about the tape "bunchin up" or trying to unwrap when you install the fitting.

[Rickertsen2]

If you find teflon difficult then use loctite 545 or a similar product. We use it at work and its much easier.

[cvhsrobotics]

never heard of it but thanks

[Pat Roche]

When I normally do pnuematics dealing with teflon i usually only wrap the teflon once to twice around and make sure i really rub it in so the threads are outlined in teflon...if you use to much it bungs the threads and it will rip/tear or wont stay on.

-Pat

[cvhsrobotics]

hmm, good tip to rub it in so it doesnt shread

[UCGL_Guy]

After making thousands of fittings up in my 25 years here are some tips.
Don't use tape on pneumatics - eventually you will have pieces that find thier way to plug up a valve. We Never use tape on our process air for that reason. Can you imagine shutting down a huge chemical process plant becase of a piece of tape debris, it happens. There are a lot of good thread sealants you can use. Contrary to popular belief in this area less is better. Again you don't want your thread sealant in your process. Don't over tighten - Brass seals fairly easily. Cross threading - every year we get a least one fitting that is cross threaded and then someone tries to keep it from leaking by using more tape or over tightening, throw away the fitting and get a new one. Remember tape is not the only debris - keep your pneumatics clean.
Have a great weekend
Ken