Installing Compression Fittings on PEX and Copper Tubing
Why Home Improvement Stack Exchange recommends it
DIY Stack Exchange answerers point people to it when someone needs to join, tee into or repair small copper or plastic water lines such as ice maker and refrigerator supply lines.
Recommended by 3 people across 3 different months, 2012 to 2016.
What it is
A short 3-minute how-to showing how to install compression fittings on plastic (PEX) and copper tubing. It covers the nut, ferrule and fitting assembly, with the copper tubing portion starting around 1:45. It is uploaded by the channel heliatosSolar.
What people said
Recommends pdd · 2012-07 · Home Improvement Stack Exchange · on “How can I add an ice maker water line?”
The easiest way to achieve what you are looking for with what you already have is to: Shut off the water at the angle stop shown in your first photo (confirm that the valve is closed by opening the cold on you sink) Cut the copper tubing in half (the tubing between the angle stop and the second valve) Install the valve tee shown in your second photo (this will reconnect the cut tube) Test (by opening the angle valve) Slowly tighten the compression fittings if they are leaking Here's a video on how to install compression fittings: [this video] .
Recommends mike · 2013-05 · Home Improvement Stack Exchange · on “How can I join two lengths of flexible 1/4" copper pipe?”
I'd use a small tubing cutter to cut tidy/clean ends on both ends of the 1/4" copper pipe ... ... cutting off whatever portions of the 1/4" copper pipe are kinked or deformed. I'd then slip on a compression fitting called a 'union' ... ... which requires tightening with a pair of wrenches. Wikipedia has a general article on compression fittings here. [LINK] You-tube hosts a concise 3 minute how-to video regarding installing compression fittings on plastic or copper pipe. The copper tubing portion of the demo starts at 1:45 ... [this video] Small tubing cutters such as the one pictured above will cut diameters 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" and anything in between. The small size of that cutter design makes
Recommends Jimmy Fix-it · 2016-05 · Home Improvement Stack Exchange · on “How do I fix the compression fitting connection on my refrigerator water line?”
This video [this video] shows basic assembly of small compression fittings. The only things I would add: the ferrule (whether plastic or brass) is indeed a "single use" item, as mentioned by @Tyson and @Ed Beal you can use a brass ferrule on plastic tubing, but not a plastic ferrule on copper tubing the video says to tighten a single turn past hand tight. I say tighten well, regardless of turns needed; you need to actually squeeze that ferrule onto the tubing.