My house is 125 years old & has the original undersink fancy plumbing (visible). I'm taking out the galv. pipe probably installed in the 1940's.

The lower portion of the visible sink plumbing are fancy cast bronze valves. They are one piece construction with pipe extending about 3-4" on inlet and outlet. The outlet uses a gasketed flange. Under the floor, I found that the inlet is attached to a special steel coupling. The cast bronze pipe is sleeved into a black iron coupling...no threads. There is no evidence of brazing. It must have been a press fit.

The inlet end of the steel coupling is threaded. The original black iron nipples are still attached to the couplings. The nipples are welded to galv 90's probably because the plumber couldn't remove them intact.

They weren't dumb back then...there had to be a reason why neither the inlet nor the outlet of the valves were not threaded. Possibly the casting material would not handle a tapered thread. Maybe it's not a standard diameter pipe.

So, if I cut off the steel coupling, and remove the nickel plating, can cast bronze be soldered to a brass or copper fitting, assuming I can find one with the right ID? Also, I don't know if cast bronze can be brazed to copper or brass??

I hoping someone has some expertise, or knows someone that does. Thanks.

I have no idea what you are trying to describe, but i can almost guarantee it was NOT "pressed" together.

Posting a picture would be very helpful.

bronze can be soldered to copper.
use a good grade of solder such as silvabrite
[www.lucasmilhaupt.com]

I have no idea how to post a photo.

Don't know which of these is correct.



Edited 2 times.

Any chance of getting a clearer photo of the underfloor connection?

Hope one of the above is the image...it's a clear close-up. You can see the steel coupling and the steel sleeve that protrudes at the top of it. I'm surprised to see that it does look like something was done to the bronze nipple where it enters the steel sleeve.
I miked the bronze nipple and it is a standard 3/8" pipe (0.67" OD). Thanks



Edited 1 times.

you have a 'Rube Goldberg' of cobbled together soldered & threaded fittings

get the entire assembly out by unscrewing at a convenient fitting and take same to an actual plumbing shop for evaluation / repair

HOWEVER

it will be MUCH more cost effective to simply replace with a modern 'equivalent'


eg. of modern available 'stuff':



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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638