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Author:
Lee (NJ)
Hello:
Last night in a trench and I was dry fitting a 45 degree elbow.I was standing over pipe, looking down at fitting on 4 inch schedule 40 pipe. . For some reason I could not get the 45 degree pvc fitting(elbow) to go level??
I had even tried to place fitting on the pipe and then insert a pipe into the other side of fitting and placed a level on the pipe to see if pipe was level. I spent an hour moving fitting left then right, left then right to try and get fitting level. I could not do it.
I was using a torpedo level holding level vertical on face of fitting where the pipe would go in. I could not get fitting level(plumb).
Possibly because I had the pipe coming from behind me between my legs? Maybe I should have been squatting facing the front face of the 45 degree elbow when placing the torpedo level on the fitting?
I do not know what else to try? Please help!
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Author:
packy (MA)
depending on how much you are off and what it will take to correct it, a 22 and a street 22 will give you a 45 and you'll have a little more play...
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Author:
Lee (NJ)
Packy:
You are saying use two 22's. But shouldn't I be able to level the 45? This is bothering me. Do you think I am going about it the correct way with a torpedo level on vertical face of the 45. Maybe I need to purchase a better torpedo level?
Thanks,
Lee
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
The pipe entering the fitting would have to be on a 45* pitch to get a 45* el plumb.
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Author:
packy (MA)
happens alot. whether the pipe is in a ditch, below a floor or above a ceiling. if the pipe runs at 49 degrees there is no way you can put on a 45 and come out level. but using two 22 deg's you can play around and make it work.
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Author:
steve (CA)
Lee, is the pipe in the trench level?
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Author:
Lee (NJ)
Steve, yes the pipe in the trench is level. I am just having a difficult time getting the 45 degree elbow level. It seems you move the fitting just a fraction and it is off from level. I am working at night with a head lamp on. Possibly it would be easier if I squat in front of the fitting and move the fitting left/right.
Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
steve (CA)
Is the pipe in the trench a drain pipe? If yes, why is it level?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
quote; Do you think I am going about it the correct way
NO! you can rotate a 45 to any angle between 45 degrees down to 45 degrees up, depending on how the pipe you are connecting to is oriented, and your TORPEDO level will find a spot where it is the way you want it by rotating the fitting.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Two 22 1/2 ells can ONLY duplicate a 45 at the most, NOT 46 degrees or more.
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Author:
packy (MA)
but my post mentions greater than 45 deg. so if you roll one 22 and straighten out with a second you will get less than 45 deg. this would get my suggested 49 deg added to a 41 deg would get you a 90. nes pas?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
I guess it would if you used the math taught in Mass. schools, but by my calculations two 22 1/2 will rotate from 45 degrees one way, past 0 degrees in the middle to 45 degrees the other way and NEVER get to 49 degrees.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
How about a photo of what you are trying to do, because we are just guessing, and the actual situation COULD change what we are telling you.
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Author:
Lee (NJ)
Steve:
Pipe in trench is for downspout water from roof. I am running out of ground above the pipe; so I figure that I will place pipe level because it is the best I can do. I do have slope further down the pipe.
HJ: Thank you for your response.
Update: I was successful! I was able to get 45 degree fitting level. I squatted down in front of the fitting placed 45 degree elbow on 4 inch PVC schedule 40 pipe, and placed my torpedo level vertical on face of bell(pipe)and I got fitting level!
Conclusion: I believe that possibly standing over the pipe, with pipe and fitting situated between my legs(coming from the back) was not the proper way to position fitting on the pipe. In this position, I believe that I was not able to get the 45 degree elbow square on pipe. When I squatted down in front of the fitting(fitting and pipe directly in front of me) I was better able to "see" the position of the fitting on the pipe. Better able to square the fitting on the pipe. Better able to move fitting left and right on pipe, possibly better able to see torpedo level. I do not know if my conclusion is absolutely correct.
HJ: All I have is a pipe with a 45 degree elbow at the end. I was unable last night to get the fitting level. I needed fitting absolutely level so it would not send pipe either up in the air or down toward the bottom of the trench.
Edited 2 times.
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