[Srlance31]

A longer period of workability is a nice thing for the non-professional to have.

Makes sense to me. Been looking at the Oatey Heavy Duty, Weld-On 721 or Christy's Clear Medium Cement.

 

[Wet_Boots]

Look at the pipe sizes the cement will work for, and for the setting speed. The Weld-On 721 looks like the same thing as the 705, but with blue coloring, and is recommended for up to 6-inch pipe (I'm not sure what good blue-colored glue is, if it isn't the extra-fast-setting formula) - the operative word for your application might be "Medium" - the larger the pipe sizes a glue will work with, the heavier the viscosity, so Oatey "Heavy-Duty" might be overkill for your 4-inch-maximum systems, even though it was okay for me, even for 3/4-inch repairs.

 

[Srlance31]

Yeah I'm seeing your meaning. Looking at the medium bodies cements now, medium to fast dry times. I used an 8oz can of heavy cement and stuff dried on me pretty quick, does a heavier body cement tend to do that? I'm looking at the 8oz containers since I don't think myself or the grounds people we have would be doing anymore than a 4 joints a day.
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[Wet_Boots]

Stick to fast drying time. One thing about 8-ounce cans is that the applicator is smaller, which is actually useful for small-pipe repairs, but maybe a nuisance for a 4-inch pipe joint. Oatey sells "Handy Pack" combos of cement and primer, and their #302443 has 8-ouncers with the medium-bodied fast-set PVC cement.

 

[Srlance31]

Hey thanks Wet Boots, the Primer/Cement combo would be nice for people at the communities that are doing these repairs. Cure time is pretty good too for Oatey, 2 hours. Weld On list's theirs at 24 hours! Our company has an Oatey licensed dealer so we can get whatever product they make quick and easily. The Weld On and Christy brands are a little more difficult to find, least in the West Michigan area.

 

[extremecutter]

What part of west Michigan are you in?

 

[Srlance31]

Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids. I should correct myself, is it possible to get Christy's and Weld on? Yes, just little more work. Plus when managing multi-state operations I need to consider ease of finding items for staff throughout. We are not installing new systems ourselves (contractors doing that) but just repair work and the rare relocating of lines as needed, so we don't need the 16oz+ of primer and cement cans.

 

[Wet_Boots]

Cure times will be longer than the time you must wait before re-pressurizing a connection.

 

[Stillwater]

Why do you buy your glue at a big box store?...or is that where you buy all your parts.

Are you one of the guys that thinks the parts at the home depot is of lower quality than the more expensive special stores.... special stores for special people...
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[Wet_Boots]

Some plumbing fixtures are supposed to exist in big-box-store versions.

 

[Srlance31]

I dont think the extra wait time is significant enough to sacrifice work time (cure time is 2 hours or less for Oatey for the pipe size we use). I havent heard anyone say that Oatey is an interior product. I just think you need product that best suits your needs.
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[irritation]

Are you one of the guys that thinks the parts at the home depot is of lower quality than the more expensive special stores.... special stores for special people.

It most certainty use to be that way. I just don't understand why he doesn't get his glue where he gets parts, one stop, less hassle.

 

[Wet_Boots]

I think there is some upping of quality at big box stores. I saw one that had Woodford brand antisyphon frostproof sillcocks, and none of any cheaper models. For sprinkler stuff, though, plenty of crapola.

 

[irritation]

the more expensive special stores.... special stores for special people.

If you're referring to local irrigation supply houses than an account should give you pricing on whole goods that is far less than a big box store. My experience has been that items like glue or teflon tape etc are priced similar or even lower than big box stores.

 

[Srlance31]

We have plenty accounts with supply houses and plumbing companies and get a nice discount, and getting something from a big box store doesn't mean it's instantly inferior or bad quality. Would argue that items you get from supply houses and plumbing stores can and usually are of higher quality. That being said, do you find different ingredients or directions for Christy's Red Hot Blue, Oatey Medium PVC Clear, Weld-On 711, etc? I haven't. Percentage of certain chemicals may change to make the chemical dry faster or be more heavily bodied, etc and the size of pipe it's approved for cementing.

The point of my question from the start was guys that do this all day and for years use and why.

 

[Stillwater]

If you're referring to local irrigation supply houses than an account should give you pricing on whole goods that is far less than a big box store. My experience has been that items like glue or teflon tape etc are priced similar or even lower than big box stores.

i agree
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[action1]

We have plenty accounts with supply houses and plumbing companies and get a nice discount, and getting something from a big box store doesn't mean it's instantly inferior or bad quality. Would argue that items you get from supply houses and plumbing stores can and usually are of higher quality. That being said, do you find different ingredients or directions for Christy's Red Hot Blue, Oatey Medium PVC Clear, Weld-On 711, etc? I haven't. Percentage of certain chemicals may change to make the chemical dry faster or be more heavily bodied, etc and the size of pipe it's approved for cementing.

The point of my question from the start was guys that do this all day and for years use and why.

Christys Red Hot Blue Glue and Primer. I have been using for over 15 years every work day. No matter what the instructions say, I can pressure test within 5 min and on a regular basis, leave pipe under constant pressure after a 15 min cure time. I use it because it is very reliable and saves me time.

 

[Irrigation Contractor]

Christys Red Hot Blue Glue and Primer. I have been using for over 15 years every work day. No matter what the instructions say, I can pressure test within 5 min and on a regular basis, leave pipe under constant pressure after a 15 min cure time. I use it because it is very reliable and saves me time.

^^^^ YUP

We tried to do some testing last year, but the crews and techs got pissed

They all said why mess with a good thing......

I will admit, I think there are a lot of smart irrigators on this board and when they recommend other brands it is when I felt the need to test.

 

[Wet_Boots]

I think the various labels can be checked to get the story. Medium body, regular body, fast set, very fast set, etc. Since I'm mostly doing repair work trying to make mismatched PVC connections line up, I prefer a bit more workability time. Straight assembly might just as soon go with the fastest set times. About the worst knock I ever read on an Oatey cement I once used was that their Red Label all-materials-cement was nasty to work with indoors with poor ventilation. I used it outdoors, trusting its combination of fast set time and longer workability.

 

[1idejim]

Tips on hot weather gluing from Weld-on;

1. Store solvent cements and primers in a cool or shaded area prior to use.

2. If possible, store pipe and fittings, or at least the ends to be solvent welded, in a shady area before solvent welding.

3. Cool surfaces to be joined by wiping with a damp rag. Be sure that the surface is dry prior to applying the solvent cement.

4. Try solvent welding the joints during the cooler morning hours.

5. Make sure that both surfaces to be joined are still wet with the solvent cement when putting them together. With larger size pipe, more people on the crew may be necessary.

6. Using a primer and heavier, high viscosity solvent cement will provide a little more working time. Vigorously shake or stir the solvent cement before use.

7. There can be a greater expansion-contraction factor affecting the pipe in hot weather. We suggest you follow the advice of the pipe manufacturer regarding this condition. Anchored and final connections should be made during the cooler hours of the day.
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