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Comment by SaintGhurka | Hacker News Reader

"combination of Hessian/burlap jute-type rope (of which there is always some lying around in my workshop) and linseed oil based paint."

Could you explain that? How do you seal pipe fittings with rope?

Edit: found an explanation. TIL that you can use the fibers just like tape and wrap the threads.

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Perhaps if I'd used the proper name what I said may have been clearer. The correct name is hemp rope or plumber's rope but I don't often have that around (not being a plumber) so I use the next best thing available Hessian fabric or its rope equivalent).

Here are some photos: https://www.bunnings.com.au/enduraseal-1m-plumbers-hemp_p012...

https://waropes.com.au/twines/plumbers-hemp/

You wrap the hemp fibers around the threads that have been brushed with linseed oil paint then apply a little more paint to the hemp and then mate the couplings together. This sealing technique has been around at least for several hundred years if not longer.

>> [...] has been specifically designed and manufactured to suit the Australian market and conditions.

That's some hearty stuff, then!

First class BS if you ask me. Hardly anything could be more generic than hemp rope methinks.

That seems hella useful, I'm going to grab some next time I'm down picking up a snag sanga.

You don't need oil, just rope works as well. Every DIY store (at least over here) has loose manila fibre for that purpose. Wrap into the thread, screw it together, done. The not-so-nice problem: It might leak at first. The nice feature: The fibres will soak up water (thats why oil is actually counterproductive), swell up and make a tight fit after half an hour or so. You can even readjust the angle (other than with PTFE tape), it'll just drip for another half hour.

Right, there are multiple variations but they generally work in skilled hands although I learned from plumbers who always used oil (although using oil was always an imperative with gas pipes). Using oil usually negates the initial leaking whilst waiting for the hemp to dampen and swell.

Edit: I agree that using oil is counterproductive with water pipes—initially at least. I was taught by both plumbers and my father (who wasn't a plumber but a mechanical engineer who worked on power station boilers) that using oil is better in the long run as it prevents the hemp from rotting and thus premature failure of the seal. Moreover, using one oil-based method means that a plumber cannot get confused and leave oil off gas connections where it's essential.

(I'd add that when referring to oil I'm specifically referring to linseed oil (even though I've seen some plumbers inappropriately use engine oil) because it slowly polymerizes and hardens even in the absence of air. This adds to the seal's effectiveness and further protects the hemp.)

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