jake00
Well-known member
I found these, while the price is attractive, I'm guessing the quality is sub par?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FYE87U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FYE87U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
ball valves for air drops
- Thread starter jake00
- Start date
bayou985
Well-known member
Ball valves work good for air lines, especially for blowdown...If you think price is too cheap spend more money
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Here's American Valve's website (that particular valve is an M100): http://www.americanvalve.com/bronze/ballvalves.html#m100
nate379
Banned
They are $6-7 at Lowe's.
The valve is $5 something but with the $7 shipping that isn't a cheap vavle.
The valve is $5 something but with the $7 shipping that isn't a cheap vavle.
nate379
Banned
Ok so it will cost you $140 at Lowe's or $240 through Amazon... They are $13 each with shipping correct?
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
You only need a 1/4" valve for drains.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Even a standard $1-2 petcock drain valve will work if you don't want to pipe the condensate away somewhere. They are available in a number of sizes.
If you want to drain the whole system a ball valve will work, -but so will a spare male air coupler fitting stuck in a Q-disconnect. No need to get fancy for something used once a year for maintenance...
If you want to drain the whole system a ball valve will work, -but so will a spare male air coupler fitting stuck in a Q-disconnect. No need to get fancy for something used once a year for maintenance...
nate379
Banned
They may combine shipping if you order more from them, I don't know this for sure but it's just a thought.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Your local hardware or automotive parts store can supply you with all the petcocks you want for a whole lot less. Spend the money saved on tools.
I found four used 1/4"(green handle) ones at a friends salvage sale. I don't remember if their threaded or not. I can get them for a $1 each I bet.
redsky49
Well-known member
You get what you pay for.
In my profession, I specify valves for projects in substantially larger numbers, such that a sub-standard valve can result in a huge ($$$) problem.
Be aware that many valves being offered by US vendors are off-shore sourced. Many of these in the past have been from Mexico or India. Now they seem to be Chinese as well.
One "go-to" vendor that still maintains reliable quality, is US manufactured, and offers a huge assortment of valves, is Continental Brass Co., Conbraco, who provide the "Apollo" brand of ball valves.
Highly recommended.
http://www.apollovalves.com/products/products.asp?sub=16
As always, offered only as opinion
In my profession, I specify valves for projects in substantially larger numbers, such that a sub-standard valve can result in a huge ($$$) problem.
Be aware that many valves being offered by US vendors are off-shore sourced. Many of these in the past have been from Mexico or India. Now they seem to be Chinese as well.
One "go-to" vendor that still maintains reliable quality, is US manufactured, and offers a huge assortment of valves, is Continental Brass Co., Conbraco, who provide the "Apollo" brand of ball valves.
Highly recommended.
http://www.apollovalves.com/products/products.asp?sub=16
As always, offered only as opinion
Re: You get what you pay for.
You make it sound like they are the only game in town.
Elroy fixed it for ya
http://www.nibco.com/cms.do?id=124
Watch out for that Elroy clown. He might be a Polack.
You make it sound like they are the only game in town.
Elroy fixed it for ya
http://www.nibco.com/cms.do?id=124
Watch out for that Elroy clown. He might be a Polack.
redsky49
Well-known member
Please don't fix it for me!!
Replaced something like 260 valves for the isolation valves for class room unit ventilators where N**** had originally been substituted by the Mech. Contr. for the valves originally specified. Middle school project in Northern Virginia in the late 90's. Very few lasted the warranty period. Major FU. Problem seemed to extend into the early 2000's. This is just one of the instances where N**** was dropped from the list of acceptable vendors.
I have had several instances where N**** globe/butterfly valves were supplied, in lieu of the specified valve, and have had problems. Poor operation, incomplete shut-off, vane wear, leakage at gland, etc. All seem to stem from poor quality control.
N**** factory reps spent a lot of time at my office to convince me to allow them to bid additional jobs. They brought samples of the proposed valves for me to examine. Only when US manufactured, and not sourced from India, were N***** accepted as bidder. Proceed at your own risk.
In endorsing Apollo, I put my reputation on the line. I would never do that for N****, Red W****, etc.
Install whatever you are comfortable with. As far as my recommending a particular vendor, I will only suggest those manufacturers with whom I have complete confidence, based on a long term working experience. I have specified more than a few valves in my lifetime, and make every effort to get it right the first time.
As always, offered only as opinion
Replaced something like 260 valves for the isolation valves for class room unit ventilators where N**** had originally been substituted by the Mech. Contr. for the valves originally specified. Middle school project in Northern Virginia in the late 90's. Very few lasted the warranty period. Major FU. Problem seemed to extend into the early 2000's. This is just one of the instances where N**** was dropped from the list of acceptable vendors.
I have had several instances where N**** globe/butterfly valves were supplied, in lieu of the specified valve, and have had problems. Poor operation, incomplete shut-off, vane wear, leakage at gland, etc. All seem to stem from poor quality control.
N**** factory reps spent a lot of time at my office to convince me to allow them to bid additional jobs. They brought samples of the proposed valves for me to examine. Only when US manufactured, and not sourced from India, were N***** accepted as bidder. Proceed at your own risk.
In endorsing Apollo, I put my reputation on the line. I would never do that for N****, Red W****, etc.
Install whatever you are comfortable with. As far as my recommending a particular vendor, I will only suggest those manufacturers with whom I have complete confidence, based on a long term working experience. I have specified more than a few valves in my lifetime, and make every effort to get it right the first time.
As always, offered only as opinion
Vinko
Well-known member
Re: above. Not an expert, but:
I just put Conbraco on several of my drops and am doing the rest soon. I posted some pics somewhere here. Got to find them. I was really, really impressed with the quality. Nibco seemed okay to me. But the equiv. Conbraco models seemed to have much more substantial castings and the just the general workmanship seemed to have the edge.
Next, a few shut off valves in various places along the line.
Have a Saylor Beall 750/120 tank.
PS. I found McMaster-Carr to have reasonable prices for Conbraco.
I just put Conbraco on several of my drops and am doing the rest soon. I posted some pics somewhere here. Got to find them. I was really, really impressed with the quality. Nibco seemed okay to me. But the equiv. Conbraco models seemed to have much more substantial castings and the just the general workmanship seemed to have the edge.
Next, a few shut off valves in various places along the line.
Have a Saylor Beall 750/120 tank.
PS. I found McMaster-Carr to have reasonable prices for Conbraco.
Sounds like the valve was misapplied both in application and installation. You have a contractor problem not a valve problem as correct installation is paramount to proper operation.
You can say Nibco, it's not a dirty word.
Last edited:
Industrial Concepts
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 97
We had success with Nibco. Our local supplier was providing us with Pro Channel (made in China) half the price. We had handle falling off & the threads on the stems stripping off. NO More China made valves.
We acciendently recieved some valves from Prevost in a shippment of supplies for airline project that we just installed. They looked good, price was'nt bad.
I would like to try the Appolo brand.
We acciendently recieved some valves from Prevost in a shippment of supplies for airline project that we just installed. They looked good, price was'nt bad.
I would like to try the Appolo brand.
nate379
Banned
http://www.watts.com/pages/support/buy_america.asp
There you go. The Watts valves are fairly easy to find, least around here. Looking at $10-20 for a valve though.
I bought a couple a while back, WOG ones that where my by Bugatti
There you go. The Watts valves are fairly easy to find, least around here. Looking at $10-20 for a valve though.
I bought a couple a while back, WOG ones that where my by Bugatti