Pipework

Today I purchased a digital level that can produce an audible tone when level or matching a programmed slope. I found it convenient enough to simply read the digital screen for the slope. The display can be configured to read in degrees, inches/ft, or percentage. I also procured some velcro tape from my mom, and used that to affix the level to the pipe. Then I was free to adjust the height of the pipe until just right, and nail the hanger in place.

Hanging pipe
I'm using plastic strapping, also known as plastic plumber's tape. It's a perforated strapping with holes for driving nails or screws through. I found that the pipes don't fully stretch out the strapping loop, and so they will move down some if you press down on the pipe. I've been attaching the strapping in a "U" shape, with the pipe resting in the center - perhaps changing that to a "d" shape would keep the vertical portion taught? Then again, as the pipework is welded together, it acquires a preferred position which tends not to align with where it needs to go, and I suppose this contributes to the lack of stretched strapping. I plan to supplement the straps with a few well-placed 2x4s braced against the pipe to direct it into proper position.

Pipe orientation
After cutting a section of pipe, I lay it on a nice and flat area of the floor. Two hubbed fittings are temporarily attached to the ends, which helps keep the pipe from rotating. I took a scrap block and placed a pen on top, with its point protruding from the block's edge. Then i slide the block/pen along the pipe at each end, on the same side, creating a longitudinal reference line at the same angle on both ends.

Then I pop off the fittings and bring the pipe to the pipework being assembled. The existing hub and the pipe end are primed and cemented. Then, when inserting them together, I am sure to align the pen mark with a reference mark on the fitting. Some fittings have reference ticks on the hubs at every 45 degrees. Others only have two lines where the piece was welded together during manufacture I think. In either case, the lines are at specific orientations of the fitting - pointing straight down, up, left, right.. Using these lines & the lines on the pipe when connecting fittings, I am assured the fittings are aligned exactly as they should be relative to each other. Sometimes I have to add a reference mark on a hub that only has weld lines - this is easy, just place it against a hub with reference marks.

Play
I have found the pipework once glued together has quite a bit of play in that it can be moved quite a ways from where it wants to sit. I know any undue stress is more likely to cause a leak, so we'll see eventually when I test the system if I was too rough with any sections. For now I'm just moving along.