[VAC] Re: Flair-it/Pex

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I recently completed a total building of the interior of a '56, 16" 
Airstream Bubble that was built without an interior.  I put in all new 
equipment, water tank, 3gal wtr heater, sink and ran all new water lines 
from an exterior city water connection and from the water tank.  I used 
Pex and the  Flair-It fittings thru out.  As to longevity  they will   
probably last your life time.  Airstream has used composition tubing at 
least from the mid '70's in place of copper as it was deemed lighter, 
less expensive and was a bit more flexible  then copper and easier to 
install.  The Pex is the latest version of current compostion tubing.  I 
found it easy to cut with plastic pipe cutting tool and  was really 
pleased with the Flair fittings ease of use.  Yes you can tighten up a 
fitting and later loosen it and remove tubing and reuse with no dammage 
to either.    I had to do this a few times when I made some changes in my 
routing plan and when adjusting pipe lengths in some of the tighter 
fitting areas around the hot water tank. You can buy an inexpensive "nut 
wrench" for the flair fittings which I recommend. Nice thing about the 
fittings is that you can loosen and disassemble  a joint if you need to 
in the furture.  Just keep in mind when you install your fittings and 
tubing to locate them so you can get at them at a later time. If you have 
ever had to repair or get to a water line in an Airstream you know what I 
am speaking to.

Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
WBCCI 1610     VAC
rlashway@zianet.com
web site: www.zianet.com/rlashway