Iron pipe for DIY shelving project

[Mikey5492]

I'm using 3/4" schedule 40 pipe for the structure of an industrial looking shelving project installed on a wall in my house. I'm running into a hiccup that I just can't wrap my head around solving and I bet that the plumbing community can easily tell me if it's a hopeless cause or offer some advice.

My plan is to install a grid of 3/4" floor flanges onto the wall and attach 12" nipples as the supports for wooden shelving. This part of the project is straightforward. Where it gets complicated is that I am trying to create a few vertical spans of pipe in front of the shelves, connecting them together using a T joint at the front edge of each of those nipples with a 10" nipple vertically, ultimately terminating to a 3/4" floor flange resting on the floor.

If my wall has 5 levels of shelving, this means 5 horizontal sections of 3/4" floor flange to 12" nipple to T, connected by a vertical 10" nipple. My problem is that I cannot seem to connect the hardware to achieve a consistent measure between shelves: 12". I find that each nipple and T and flange tightens at a different number of turns and it's pretty unpredictable. Ex: 10" nipple + T + flange can equal anywhere between 13.85" and 14.2" hand tightened depending on specific pieces used.

Is there any way I can improve this to be more consistent? Did I just choose shoddy parts? Alternative recommendations? It's my first time working with this kind of pipe and I am not sure what I should expect.

Thanks!

 

[Jadnashua]

What you're seeing, is, I think, fairly common. If you use a pipe wrench, you can often get another turn and maybe more past hand tight.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

Put them all together snug, measure each one, then tighten all of them equal to the shortest one.

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

Imported fittings are the issue. Buy a bunch extra so you can mate up similar thread depth nipples together and be prepared to toss or return a few of the mismatched ones. Use a wrench or pliers to go a bit further than hand tight if needed, but be prepared to repair tool marks with sanding and a bit of paint.

 

[Fitter30]

3/4" tee & 90*(elbow) should have the same measurement from center of fitting to the face. A nipple will screw in about 5/8" this will very a little with how the fittings were taped and nipples threaded. Pipe is usually measured center to center with having to deal with makeup and takeoffs. Since your not dealing with having to get threads leak free as long as the fittings are screwed 2.5-3 turns just measure face to face that should give you some adjustment. If you decide to paint the pipe be sure to degrease it first.

 

[Jeff H Young]

use PVC and paint black, just kidding ! good advice above, I would use pipe dope too because dry they don't screw in too good

 

[Fitter30]

Dope doesn't wash off very well use wd40.

 

[Jeff H Young]

maybe only use the dope if its stubborn and you need another turn