Black Iron Fitting Quality, Supply House vs Box Store

[teamextreme]

I've seen many mentions of the poor quality of iron fittings these days.
1. Is this really an issue?
2. If it is, if I buy from a supply house is there a better chance to get USA made fittings versus buying from HD or Lowes?

I'm getting ready to run some 1" gas line in my house to feed a BBQ, fire pit and shop heater.

 

[dogdog]

I have no issue from both, just find the Chinese Chinese fittings are a little thinner wall on the fitting.... and the older US made 90degs elbows etc are a little beefier in wall thickness etc. but otherwise haven't had issue with the threads / fittings etc.

Some ppl here did complain about the fitting leaking though....

 

[bp460]

Your best bet for USA fittings will be a local supply house. If you can't find them locally, McMaster-Carr carries Ward fittings which are made in the US.

I have actually had more problems with imported pipe... very poor threading and often out of round.

-Brad

 

[Mr onetwo]

The import fitting at Lowes/HD are absolutely junk. I only buy USA made J.P. Ward fittings from a local wholesaler. You can also get great pricing from here....http://www.supplyhouse.com/Black-Fittings-173000 There is no comparison in quality.

 

[BD1]

If you plan on using them on natural gas or propane, I would go for the USA ones.
At work we always use the USA, but the sprinkler fitters have made in China shlt. It works or they would not be using them.

 

[brewchief]

None of our suppliers carry USA made fittings anymore, all offshore made, some are decent and some are junk, depends on the batch.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Ward is the standard. We avoid ChiCom fittings.

You should likely be running much smaller 2# gas to these appliances.

 

[Cougar]

I've seen some imports fittings with pretty gnarly threads, wouldn't use for gas.

 

[CNGsaves]

Ward is the standard. We avoid ChiCom fittings.

You should likely be running much smaller 2# gas to these appliances.

^ ^ Your suggestion likely NOT possible for OP as his natural gas provider likely only supplying approx. 1/2 lb psi NG pressure. OP can't magically jack up pressure to 2 lb psi when his meter and regulator limits him to 1/2 lb psi. His approach to use large line with his low pressure is appropriate.

OP . . . you may have a Win-Nelson plumbing supplier in your area which is a wholesaler that also will sell to general public along with plumbers.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Actually, I lived and worked as a licensed plumber and mechanical contractor in Lakewood, CO for 5 years and still design the occasional radiant job there.

Though it may be beyond the skill set of the OP to up the gas pressure, or fit gas pipe for that matter, it would surprise me if 2# gas is not available where he lives. In any case, I suspect the OP is guessing on the appropriate gas pipe size, as you are about the availability of 2# gas.

It could save much time and money. Maybe even pay for a little knowledgeable help...

 

[patrickoneal]

The import fitting at Lowes/HD are absolutely junk. I only buy USA made J.P. Ward fittings from a local wholesaler. You can also get great pricing from here....http://www.supplyhouse.com/Black-Fittings-173000 There is no comparison in quality.

I've read the same thing everywhere else in regard to the Chinese fitting quality. Some say they require teflon tape and pipe dope to keep from leaking. I added an indirect fired water heater tank to my boiler a few months ago, and got all the black fittings I needed from supplyhouse.com. I think the pricing for USA made fittings there was better than the Chinese stuff from Lowes, and they ship quickly. It was just inconvenient to have to plan it out and make absolutely sure I ordered every fitting I needed and wait a couple days for them to show up.

 

[jacks2000]

I'm a plumbing wholesaler. We sell only Ward fittings. We sell 100,000 + fittings a year and maybe 2 or 3 defectives. The defectives we do get are almost always "no threads" very, very rare to get a leaker. Supposedly they air test every fitting (which will not detect a "no-thread"). If you're running gas use the best, your home, shop or life is not worth the 10-30% savings.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

^ ^ Your suggestion likely NOT possible for OP as his natural gas provider likely only supplying approx. 1/2 lb psi NG pressure. OP can't magically jack up pressure to 2 lb psi when his meter and regulator limits him to 1/2 lb psi. His approach to use large line with his low pressure is appropriate.

OP . . . you may have a Win-Nelson plumbing supplier in your area which is a wholesaler that also will sell to general public along with plumbers.

Good luck buying from winnelson if youre not a contractor,Im a licensed master plumber and I don't even like dealing with them or winair or winnlectric.

 

[Scott r c]

^ ^ Your suggestion likely NOT possible for OP as his natural gas provider likely only supplying approx. 1/2 lb psi NG pressure. OP can't magically jack up pressure to 2 lb psi when his meter and regulator limits him to 1/2 lb psi. His approach to use large line with his low pressure is appropriate.

OP . . . you may have a Win-Nelson plumbing supplier in your area which is a wholesaler that also will sell to general public along with plumbers.

Its not difficult to get it bumped up to a 2lb system, but I think its a waste in this particular situation.

 

[Scott r c]

Good luck buying from winnelson if youre not a contractor,Im a licensed master plumber and I don't even like dealing with them or winair or winnlectric.

I guess it all depends on your location. I much prefer winnelson to the other big suppliers like Ferguson or Locke.

 

[CNGsaves]

My local Win-Nelson is great exception then. They do ask "if you're a plumber" and I just say I'm buying parts for mom & pop plumber who will install.

Prices were affordable and service was excellent. Guess the employees at my Win-Nelson are going above and beyond.

Now the local electric wholesaler . . . Locke Supply . . . is whole different story. They won't even tell what products they carry if they "get a sniff" that you aren't a licensed electrician.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I guess it all depends on your location. I much prefer winnelson to the other big suppliers like Ferguson or Locke.

Damn Im sitting here on the couch right now wearing a yellow ferguson t shirt!
Winnelson is a bunch of neo Nazis around here anyway.
I deal mostly with ferguson,but sometimes I still switch things up and go to briggs/hd supply or primary for stuff I cant get at menards.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

My local Win-Nelson is great exception then. They do ask "if you're a plumber" and I just say I'm buying parts for mom & pop plumber who will install.

Prices were affordable and service was excellent. Guess the employees at my Win-Nelson are going above and beyond.

Now the local electric wholesaler . . . Locke Supply . . . is whole different story. They won't even tell what products they carry if they "get a sniff" that you aren't a licensed electrician.

Ive bought stuff from interstate electric supply who changed their name to echoe electric supply a few years ago for many many years.
Ive also bought stuff from electric fixture and supply who changed their name to 3E a few years ago for 20 plus years,Theyve always been my go to for SQ-D commercial stuff.
As far as hvac stuff theres several I still deal with also,One of the advantages of being licensed in multiple trades all these years even after retiring.

 

[BD1]

Its not difficult to get it bumped up to a 2lb system, but I think its a waste in this particular situation.

If he gets it bumped up he will still only get a 1/2 pound, [ 14 inches or so ] in the house. My estimate is he only has 8 inches of gas pressure in the house. Some areas my have a little more but unusual.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

If he gets in "bumped up" he will have 2# in the house and step it down where it is necessary.

Seriously, some professional help.

 

[Scott r c]

If he gets it bumped up he will still only get a 1/2 pound, [ 14 inches or so ] in the house. My estimate is he only has 8 inches of gas pressure in the house. Some areas my have a little more but unusual.

Its not that difficult to get 2lbs to each appliance, with a regulator taking it back down to working pressure right before each fixture. Basically a bunch of 1/2" regulators everywhere.

 

[Champ128]

Its not that difficult to get 2lbs to each appliance, with a regulator taking it back down to working pressure right before each fixture. Basically a bunch of 1/2" regulators everywhere.

While you are correct you would then have the hassle of having to vent the regulators to the outdoors.