Can I use a 3/8 BSPT (taper) male fitting in a 3/8 BSPP (parallel) female? It seems the most widely available 3/8 BSP to 3/8 compression converter (Chris', McMaster) all have taper fitting, where I believe my water valve/line is 3/8 BSPP parallel.

Also if anyone knows a local source for these in Toronto (or a online seller that will ship USPS) it would be appreciated. Shipping from Chris' and Esspressoparts to Canada via UPS + duty + brokerage is outragous.

To answer your question - yes - as long as you seal the threads with a couple of wraps of teflon tape or other suitable sealant.

Here is a link to a well written paper on fittings and threads originally posted by Dave Stephens (Cannonfodder) a while ago: http://www.colder.com/Portals/0/pdfs/NPT.pdf

I ASSUME your machine has a 3/8" BSPP female fitting. In that case, this fitting, available from your nearby Swagelok dealer, will convert it to a 3/8" NPT male: SS-6-HN-6RS. This fitting. SS-6-A-6RS, will convert it to 3/8" NPT female. A local hardware store will likely have SS braided dishwasher supply hoses that mate well with 3/8" male NPT threads.

Thanks Eric that answers my question... interesting article as well. I should be able to find a Swagelok dealer locally. The local commercial espresso dealers I've visited all seem to look at me funny when I ask how they plumb in machines for their commercial customers. I thought this would be a very common issue and any dealer that installs european equipment would have a ready solution.

yes you are right they should know
however another solution from the one suggested my Eric
( by the way Hello Eric how are you???)
is a JG fitting from the machine hose or directly to the machine inlet to JG tubing to anything you like to ( NPT)

Stefano is correct and that may very well be a less expensive way to go. I'm a fan of John Guest fittings and their look-a-likes from Watts and other suppliers but I'm not a big fan of their tubing on a "direct connect" basis.

All installations should include a nearby shut-off valve (preferably 1/4-turn ball valve), pressure regulator, and softening/filtration system (as required). The connection to the machine should be flexible and of sufficient length to allow movement for necessary maintenance or tinkering as the case may be.

I think I will take the JG route when I get the rest of the softener and filtration system. For now I'm using the onboard softener in my machine. I stopped in at a 3rd commercial dealer today (elektra, gaggia, pasquini, NS). Apparantly they use a 3/8 npt male to 3/8 compression male nipple and force the threads on the npt side into the supply line. I brought one home and it is a very tight fit and will require significant force and some lube to make a good seal with the compression barb. I'm going to hold out and get the correct fitting, but I thought it intersting that this was common practice for commercial installations.

McMaster-Carr does have what you're asking for, but it's not easy to find on their site. Look at the stainless pipe adapters here, and you will find both BSPT to BSPP and BSPP to NPT.

Best,
David

James,
Can you explain a bit more what you are trying to do, or do you have picture? I have a ton of fittings here and might just have something. If not I have BSPP taps and can modify something.


Bill C

I would like to test out a commercial machine using mainline pressure without too much effort. ie plumb into my garage before I move it to the kitchen. So this leaves me a 3/8 NPT compression male on the supply side and and a 3/8 BSPP female on the machine side... and I need something in the middle.

OK got it. Here is a simple solution if you need something right away. You can purchase a Female 3/8 Npt to3/8 Compression fitting


This is not exactly perfect but if you put several layers of teflon tape on the fitting and then tighten only 1/2-1 turn it will work. The thread pitch is different by 1 thread per inch. So this fitting will go on a couple of turns easy and the bind up. But it should seal.

Then a male fitting of the same type on the other end (Water supply). The compression end of these fittings accepts the standard 3/8" hoses sold at the local hardware store. I think I remember this being the case in Toronto. Otherwise I can always get one of these for you and retap it for BSPP.

Bill