I wish to insert a gate valve (brass) into a length of galvanized iron
(old style pipes) piping which carries hot water.
I cannot get to the unions to unthread etc so I am forced into cutting the galvanized pipe and inserting a gate valve.

Any other solution requires a complete remodel.

You can get a threaded ballvalve and two six inch nipples, and two romac compression couplings and splice in the valve. http://romac.com see the galvenized coupling on this site. Go to products and klick on coupling, #702

Thanks Truck 41.
Question.
The Romac compression coupling will attach to a nipple(piece of pipe with thread on both ends I presume) and to the end of the cut galvanized pipe?

Hi Brit50:

Most likely you can get to some threaded fitting... may need to open a wall or similar, but you should be able to get to some threaded part so you can unscrew the parts and proceed with threaded fittings.

If that is truly impossible then you have the following options:

1) Maybe the Romac compression fitting Zeke mentioned (I am not familiar with these)

2) Cut into the water line and rethread the bare pipe ends using a wrench and a die set (can rent these at a tool rental place). Attach unions and proceed.

3) Install FORD fittings... used at water meters most of the time. These are compression type fit for brass or glavanized bald end pipes. Check them out at he following link:

Ford Meter Box Products Section A Page

A straight coupling would do the job. Better yet, a dielectric ford fitting would even be better... call a representative at the company on this.

4) Finally, you could also go over to your local plumbing supply store and chat with the counter guys... see what they recommend in your area. The ford fittings are most common.

As a plumber I am going to rethread the pipe ends... atually very easy once you are setup with the ratchet die... ;)

Back to you...

Mark