Reply #2: That's funny, 'cause

[HamdenRice]

Since I posted the OP, I found a few plumbing forums. I was googling the wrong search terms. "Plumbers tape" and "compound" returns more relevant sites that "teflon tape" and "pro-dope".

Anyway, one poster confidently said use both, another few said, whatever you do, don't use both.

I gathered from the more analytical posts that they are pretty much both effective, but that dope is more messy, and that the harder the pipe the more appropriate dope is (because dope is so slippery that if you use it on something soft, like pvc, you are likely to over-tighten.

Also, if you use tape incorrectly, you will get tape fragments in your water which can clog filters, but if you use dope you may get a dopey taste/smell.

Decisions, decisions!

Since I'm using copper pipe with sweated male and female threaded adapters, I've decided to use tape.

Thanks for the site and input.