Ward Weasal Wank

Gordo

We have ordered over the years through our favorite wholesaler custom pre-cut steel nipples of various lengths and pipe sizes up to 4".

They, in turn, went to Ward Mfg., an erstwhile American fitting and nipple supplier.

And that was just fine with us.

The nipples and pipe were domestic and it made a difference with fewer gas leaks and easier-to-get-the-slope-right steam piping.

We paid a pretty penny for this quality, that's for sure.

We called it our "inch-a-facation" project. We inchified up to 24" from 1/2" to 3" pipe. And went in 6" increments from there up to 60".

We paid full price.

Our last order last month, the pipe arrived marked "Made in Korea". Please see my YouTube on this for yourself.

We were not happy.

This is what we were emailed when we complained: (I have hidden the names and direct numbers)

"Talked to (name redacted) and he said that the nipples are manufactured in Wisconsin using globally sourced welded pipe (no Chinese pipemills) and therefore considered domestic and future orders will be the same way. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
Thank you.
(name redacted)
Ward Mfg
Customer Service
1-888-515-2763
(direct number redacted)
(email redacted)

ChrisJ

Great.

So Ward is buying imported pipe and threading it.

Not impressed.

I'll be honest, I think 90% of my boiler was piped using Boshart brand nipples and I don't know where they were made but the threads were always fantastic. To be honest, I've never found any other pipe threaded as nice.


https://www.boshart.com/product.php?id=jtqcSNjb8yHm2tJKDN99DZlbksxCOVt5RKUZX01lWqk_



It looks like Supplyhouse.com, where my Boshart nipples came from is now carrying Anvil. I've used Anvil cast iron fittings and would say they were on par with Ward and were US made. I suspect Boshart is either US or Canadian made.

Gordo

@ChrisJ : But at least its not from China. Or so they say.

Hmmm. I see on the map that China and Korea are kinda close.

Just who is checking that Mr. K isn't buying from Mr. C and not telling anyone?

So, simply working on "globally sourced" pipe magically makes it "domestic".

A lie,
told a million times,

is still a lie.

New England SteamWorks

Gordo said:

We called it our "inch-a-facation" project. We inchified up to 24" from 1/2" to 3" pipe. And went in 6" increments from there up to 60".

Inquiring minds would love to know more about this project, such as:

1. How do you organize, store, and transport the nipples
2. For pipe sizes < 2-1/2" how did you come to the conclusion that it's better to order in all the sizes rather than cut on site for lengths > 6"?

Danny Scully

I'm a believer in pre-cut nipples. Obviously, it's a major time saver, so you have a bit more control of your labor costs. Also, I've found pre-cut nipples to be very clean, having hardly any visible oil. This makes skimming a little easier. In 2" I stock 8, 10, 12, 18, 24. Occasionally get 14 and 22 as well (if available).

j a_2

Me, I got pissed when my major supply house changed pipe brands....The pipe would chip with perfect teeth on my cutters....They got a lot of complaints and reverted back to good old USA pipe, I think.....I installed and maintained a many of steam boilers and systems.....in my days.....I did have at least 4 kits made up for my most common steam boilers,peerless...assembly was easy...I did get upset when the tappings on the block or the bushings made it impossible for my 24 inch risers to come up perfectly perpendicular.....

Gordo

@RI_SteamWorks : The short answer is the project is on-going and under constant development (i.e. we're making it up as we go along!)

Inventory is a bit of a challenge for a small shop, that's for sure!

We have asked our pipe vendors in some cases to provide pipe racks for storage of the 1/2" to 2" by 24" to 60" in the 6" increments. We have one rack set up (and filled) and another waiting for the time to set it up.

We are in the process of custom welding up transport racks out of stock steel for the 7" by 12" sizes. Jumbo bunny boxes, if you will. In the 1" pipe sizes, for example, we have created transport racks for 7" to 12", then 12" to 18" and 18" to 24". They are held in by bungee cords.

Out in our shed, we have 1" x 7ft, 8ft, 9ft and 10ft ready go.

Say, if we have a project for re-piping a screwed up single pipe steam radiator run-out, one inch pipe is a common size. We can show up with our section of pre-cut pipe, and with the use of only one coupling or union, the job goes in quicker and neater.

The pre-cut nipples are more oil-free than field-cut, one doesn't need to resort to "Frankin-piping" (the use of multiple couplings), and the likelihood of losing control of critical pitch is lessened.

As to threading the 2-1/2" sizes, the answer lies in the time. Almost anyone can thread up to 2" no prob., but the labor is the killer.

It is even more of an issue with the larger sizes. We can thread up to 4", but it just doesn't pay. At least not for us. For you, it may be different.

On a boiler job with a 3" header, say, usually one only needs one odd-ball size like a 3 x 14". We have on hand three sets of close by 6", Two sets of 7" to 12" ( all factory sizes) and one each of 13" to 18". Grab what you need and go. Done.

hot_rod

Manufacturing jobs have been and will continue to come back to the US. It has more to do with economics than politics, actually.

Consumer Reports claims.




Here is the full report


http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/made-in-america/index.htm

It is also quite possible to get top quality products and materials from other countries, including PRC. LG out of Korea builds some of the finest appliances you can buy, Japan, Taiwan and Germany build some of the best machine tools, you see them in US manufacturing facilities, for that reason

If you want state of the art brass components, Italy is world renowned for that skill. Name a hydronics company and they probably include Italian brass components in their assemblies.

We need to have a global economy, we still export something like 1.6 trillion dollars worth of product, it goes both ways.

Gordo

@hot rod : All very true... However,

I don't mind Korean pipe per se, it just that I minded paying for domestic and getting import.

Bait and switch.

hot_rod

Gordo said:

@hot rod : All very true... However,

I don't mind Korean pipe per se, it just that I minded paying for domestic and getting import.

Bait and switch.

That's not right, and possibly illegal.

There are some weird rulings on what assemblies and product can be called domestic, or Made in America. It can be based on the % of parts or materials that are domestic, or the labor added, or even the labeling on the product.

Just wading through the explanation "legal speak", is enough to make your eyes water.

https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1997/12/enforcement-policy-statement-us-origin-claims

New England SteamWorks

Bump---

@Gordo , I am inspired by your large and/or long nipple inventory project. Trying to organize myself, in such a way that they can be transported, and easily inventoried for restocking. Any more help or photos from your set up much appreciated!

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Gordo I Guess what your doing is labor saving, I just look at things a little different.

I ran a job installing 90 steam unit ventilators in 3 schools with 4-5 pipefitters.. When I made the material list the amount of nipples I was going to buy would have filled a semi-trailer.

So, I rethought things and bought some nipples basing the choice on what we were most likely to use, then used Ridgid's nipple chuck to make what we didn't have.

it was a pretty good compromise and worked out well.

Buying all the nipples is a lot of stock , takes a lot of room and a lot of weight to haul around.

But If your set up for it and it works for you by all means stick with the plan