Can you cut a manifold and get away with it.

Trapper_Dave

Hi I am a DIY plumber and ordered several Sioux Chief manifolds that are setup differently than I need. Does anyone ever cut off the barbs for the pex crimp in order to just change over to copper? It looks like it could be a little close to cut off the spin-closed end. Does anyone ever try that? It is way to long ago for me to try and return them but would like to use them without having to have too much of a maze.

Thanks,
Dave

SWEI

Those manifolds are tee drilled and brazed. You may be able to remove the PEX spud and braze on a piece of 1/2" copper, but it will be quite a bit of work -- and the end result may not be pretty.

hot_rod

Got a picture? If it has typical pex stubs out those are usually the same OD as copper tube. Just soft solder a coupling, or any copper fitting over the pex barb fitting.

Trapper_Dave

I need to modify the trunk - not the branches. I should have said that. But I think you gave me the answer. Sounds like I should have no problem sweating on copper without damaging the brazing on the nearby branch stub - carefully, no doubt, so as to not damage the packing in the valve.
What about the spin-closed end? The distance to the last branch is quite a bit closer. How easy is it to wreck a valve with heat?

hot_rod

No problem, both the spun end and the branches are formed at much higher temperature than then 4- 500° that your soft solder melts at.

The branches and the pin hole at the end of the"spun" end are brazed or silver soldered.

Wrap a wet rag or a gob of Hot Dam around the valve if you want to be safe.

Cut the trunk carefully, it is usually softened from the nearby braze and distorts easily with a tubing cutter. And don't drop it!

kcopp

I have soldered on to the trunk many times. I usually use Silverbrite as there is not a lot of copper left on the end.