I'm installing a pedestal sink that will have exposed water supply feeds and shut off valves. Since the valves and supply pipe will be visible I want to make things pretty and planned to use 3/8" chrome plated nipples (brass or iron pipe) going to 90 degree 1/4 turn chrome (3/8 pipe - 3/8 compression ) supply shut off valves. I have gutted the room so everything is accessible. Previously the shut off valves were compression fit onto copper pipes, but that's not very pretty. All of my plumbing is 1/2" copper pipe. I located a 1/2 copper to 3/8" FIPS female reducing adapter. The adapter has a hex on the female pipe thread end. Should I position it so the hex protrudes just slightly away from the finished wallboard/tile so that a wrench can hold it in position while tightening the chrome nipple and then cover it with a chrome flange cover? What is the preferred method to go from 1/2 copper pipe to a female pipe thread for chrome water supply feeds?
The adapter I found is solid copper. I have not been able to locate this size in cast brass. Would a cast brass adapter would be a little softer and less likely to crack? I can find 1/2 copper to 1/2 FIPS female reducing adapters in cast brass. Would using 1/2 nipples threaded into cast brass be a more reliable joint? I know brass has a little lead in it, but if I let the water run for a few seconds before brushing my teeth I'm not real concerned.
The adapter I found is solid copper. I have not been able to locate this size in cast brass. Would a cast brass adapter would be a little softer and less likely to crack? I can find 1/2 copper to 1/2 FIPS female reducing adapters in cast brass. Would using 1/2 nipples threaded into cast brass be a more reliable joint? I know brass has a little lead in it, but if I let the water run for a few seconds before brushing my teeth I'm not real concerned.
