Joining 4 inch PVC alone

[EEC]

Any methods you can think of too couple 2 pieces of 4 inch PVC conduit and doing it by yourself?

 

[coulter]

Any methods you can think of too couple 2 pieces of 4 inch PVC conduit and doing it by yourself?

I need some more information - cause an answer of: "Use a coupling and the right glue" seems a bit simplistic.

carl

 

[bradleyelectric]

prop the end of 1 against something, stick the 2 together, push on the free end? Might be easier to just get a helper for the day?

 

[barbeer]

I have used a pinch bar jammed down in the ground as a lever to force and hold the pipe into a coupling or belled end until the glue sets.

 

[celtic]

If you are in the ground....the above methods work just fine....pinch bar/2x4, whatever you got.

If you are in the "air"...you could use a choker and a come-along....PITA, but most things seem to be a PITA when flying solo.

 

[iwire]

Carlon sells a 'slow set' cement for this type of work.

You may want to order some, I doubt it is a shelf item in many supply houses.

 

[quogueelectric]

assuming one peice is stationary

assuming one peice is stationary

use lots of glue start the 2nd piece on and bang it tight with a short 2x4 and a lumphammer. Trick of the day throw a little glue on the tip of the pipe and it will fly in almost by itself. use a short piece of 2x4 under the pipe to keep it out of the dirt until the glue sets.

 

[stickboy1375]

What ever you do, don't try it with 20 ft long pieces of pvc...:smile:

 

[macmikeman]

When I try to do this alone, I always feel sorry for the poco guy who hand pulls in behind me. Gap, gap.:grin:

 

[quogueelectric]

20 foot pvc

20 foot pvc

just get 1 20 ft piece and you wont have to glue it together!!!

 

[JohnConnolly]

Get two strap wrenchs and lots of gray glue.

 

[LarryFine]

Get two strap wrenchs and lots of gray glue.

Am I the only one who thinks the grey glue sucks? I always look for the extra-strength (green label, I think) clear solvent in the plumbing section.

 

[stickboy1375]

I have only seen grey glue at HD, so it must suck...:smile:

 

[e57]

Line them up good and straight, and use two strap wrenches to twist (if needed), and a ratcheting cargo strap to pull together. I use the same method for RMC too, just to get the threads to start.

 

[growler]

Am I the only one who thinks the grey glue sucks? I always look for the extra-strength (green label, I think) clear solvent in the plumbing section.

That's what I use, the heavy duty clear. Never had any pipe come apart.

I tried the gray once but it didn't stick very well.

I may try some of the Gorilla brand. They say they have some that's not toxic and just as strong as regular glue. I really don't like breathing the fumes in tight spaces.

 

[JohnConnolly]

The grey glue is slower setting and I can see where it's been applied.

If your glue is not "sticking" it's because of undersized pipe or oversized fittings. PVC glue doesn't work via adhesive, it just closes the very slight gap between the pipe and fittings. That's why it it easy to chip out broken or mis cut pipe from fittings.

If the specs are off a tiny bit, it won't "stick".

 

[Greg Swartz]

Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirt!

Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirt!

I really like the cumalong ideas!

My past experience has been with 10' and 20' sticks.

I usually lube both sides extremely well, move it as much as possible, then run to the other end and shove it in... usually with a 2x4 and a hammer. Down side on 20' sticks is there is this black line telling you (or the inspector) how far the conduit should be sticking in.

Also, be careful using a hammer. Damage the end, and the next piece won't go in very well...

 

[e57]

The grey glue is slower setting and I can see where it's been applied.

If your glue is not "sticking" it's because of undersized pipe or oversized fittings. PVC glue doesn't work via adhesive, it just closes the very slight gap between the pipe and fittings. That's why it it easy to chip out broken or mis cut pipe from fittings.

If the specs are off a tiny bit, it won't "stick".

If you want the full 'right' way, (So I have been told) you use primer on the joint surfaces, then apply the 'glue' (Solvent) that doesn't some much stick, but melts the PVC. A little movement like a twist or so, mashes this melted PVC together. After that - good luck getting them apart. If you use the primer - (most people dont, as it's not nessesary except for water/plumbing appications) it helps melt the PVC a lot more for some reason. Some chemical reaction I guess. Anyway it helps keep water in the pipe, it also helps keep it out... I haven't been able to 'crack & pop' a primered joint yet.

 

[stickboy1375]

The only time I primer PVC is when doing pool lights, don't want to drain the pool .... :grin:

 

[chevyx92]

Any methods you can think of too couple 2 pieces of 4 inch PVC conduit and doing it by yourself?

As mentioned already a short piece of 2x4 and a hammer is probably the quickest and easiest way, at least for me.