Iron Pipe Shelving System Assembly Woes - Plumber Advice Needed?

deannagone

Bit of an idiot, I ordered https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wooden-Rustic-Industrial-Shelving-Unit-Pipe-Metal-Wall-Floating-Shelf-Storage/133616331450?var=433068027729
I am used to flat pack assembly and thought this would go well in my older son's bedroom.  However finding it very difficult to screw the pipe parts together.  I have one wrench but not two.  Tried soap, WD40 lubricant, pencil lead, wiping the threads to remove debris etc.  I can't screw the pipes in beyond two threads before it all locks and won't screw any further.  

Update : Apologies, it was a lack of technique.  The flanges (things you screw to wall) are a bit difficult) but once you have once stretch of pipe, you can screw the whole thing round so the components are at the angle you need quite easily.  Its the flanges that are the awkward bits.  Would be the thing  that I started with that was awkward lol the elbows etc were a doddle to manipulate.  Oh well I've learned a few things about piping.  Persistence is all!  I've left this up in case anyone else not used to piping has similar problems much as it leaves me looking like a incompetent idiot lol.

tacpot12

Thanks for updating us on your success! Your technique might come in handy for other people. 
Persistence can be very useful, but so can technique, so you were right to ask if anyone had any advice. Well done for getting it done!

deannagone

Thank you.  I want to use this idea in a lot of my house (planning to buy the piping and fittings myself rather than get a kit once I had this one done).  I am a bit obsessive when I can't figure something out (really helps to be autistic sometimes) so could assemble it all fairly easily now.  No need for a wrench at all.  Even managed to take off the 'impossible' to remove flange I'd put on in reverse ha ha. Its good quality, the pipes are well made, I think my newbieness and lack of instructions were my initial downfall.  Youtube and keeping at it helped.

And I definitely know something I didn't prior to last night so all's good.

Swasterix

Yowza! £85 for a 5.5 tier!! I’m off to raid the metal skip at work....

Jeepers_Creepers

Cut all pipes to length. Deburr. Cut threads using a die, ensuring die is kept perpendicular. Deburr. Apply paint to all parts.

Source timber shelves...

Nah - I'd rather hand over £85

Swasterix

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Cut all pipes to length. Deburr. Cut threads using a die, ensuring die is kept perpendicular. Deburr. Apply paint to all parts.

Source timber shelves...

Nah - I'd rather hand over £85

Or just use compression fittings 😀 👍🏼

deannagone

You can buy threaded black malleable steel pipes cut to certain lengths.  But yes, getting the boards without a car is a problem. Not as cheap as the metal skip idea but cheaper than the kit.  I just bought the kit this time to see how it all works. Its still a lot cheaper than buying flat pack mdf furniture from IKEA type retailer (and I haven't found the dimensions I wanted anywhere). It also has the industrial look I wanted that won't overwhelm the space.