Thanks, Paul and Tabby!
I DID buy one of those brass 4-way manifold with valves, and set it aside until I coujld find cheap ways to cutg up my hoses and still have enoguh overall length. Now where did I PUT it?!?
Unfortunately, my spigots are very badly placed, so that the first task olf the mainline will be to relocate the often-used manual valves from "way over there" to a usefull part of the yard. I hope that the "mainline" tubing and fittings can take constant 45 psi!
This convinces me to lay out the basic "network" with mainline "black" tubing. I can run relatively short pieces of garden hose from valved hose fittings on that mainline.
The dripworks "1/2" mainline had 0.600 ID (closer5 to 5/8ths than 1/2). But if Home Depot 3/4" poly mainline is cheaper, I'll certainly get that.
My plan was to use non-restricting "compression" Cross and Tee fittings as much as possible so as to give the 0.600" mainline plenty of flow without excess pressure drop (I have 45 psi, they tell me). It is not a large yard, but I do want enough pressure left at the end of the runs that I can use a hand sprayhead or breaker wand for spot-watering.
Maybe I will use 3/4" mainline, depending on price.
