A controversial topic

nicholas bonham-carter

So many building/home owners posting here have problems getting large threaded nipples, that I wonder if there could be a way of using..........................Copper!

Maybe an extreme drop header would relieve the stresses of the different coefficients of expansion between cast iron, and copper.

This might provide a workable solution for people, and their contractors who are far from a supplier of 3in. threaded pipe in the dead of winter. Any thoughts, or only horror?--NBC

JStar

Pipe

It's funny...I never have a problem finding large pipe sizes.



Hopefully, some time this winter, I'll have the equipment to thread everything up to 4" and will make custom nipples for customers and contractors. Special discounts for Heating Help users

gerry gill

I find it hard to believe

that its difficult to get large nipples. Any supply house can get them.

Steamhead

Right

not all supply houses stock them though. Fortunately, in the Baltimore area we can usually get what we need, and we maintain a stock for emergencies.

nicholas bonham-carter

Factory supplied parts

I am thinking of people far from large towns faced with the necessity of emergency boiler replacement, done by someone (even themselves), without the 3 inch threading machine.

Some manufacturers may supply a complete header in pieces, but do all?

The main problem with copper is the different coefficient of expansion of the horizontal header forcing the sections apart, and maybe a certain piping layout would prevent this from happening.

I am only thinking about extreme situations, however maybe large copper pipes are also hard to find in the countryside!--NBC

Hap_Hazzard

I didn't have any trouble

I ordered them online. The ones they had in stock arrived the next day; the others took two or three days. The only problem I had was having to return some 3" close nipples they sent me instead of the 3" x 3" I ordered.



I haven't noticed that much 3" copper in any local hardware stores. Not that I've been looking for it, but I think I would have noticed. Besides, I somehow can't picture myself soldering 3" pipe and fittings together. Seems like you'd have to build a pretty big fire under it.

icesailor

Heating Copper Fittings:

A number 4 tip and a "B: tank will solder anything you need. A #3 tip takes more care and a longer time. A turbo torch with a "B" tank and a small tip also.

clammy

just above 4

Even though i am a one man company i have had my own 2. 5 to 4 inch die set for years while my buddies who have more then a one man shop barely have  a decent set of standard 1/2 to 2 dies or a decent threading machine  and always seem to use csst for gas lines and usualy only do 2 inch headers when it comes to steamers and they hate doing it in steel but there prices get them the jobs. As for pre cut nipples i am usually able to get them from 2 non chain supply houses they stock up to 4  inch nipples and fittings in either CI or mal   and when i need 6 or 8 inch i can usually get them in a day or i go pick it up if in a hurry but i seledon do steamers that require more then a 4 header and on the rare occasion maybe a 6 or 8 but they are far and few between espically when competing with other contractors and the price is the main concern my propasal is usually out of the question but i am very cool with that cause you can.t win them all and some times you are better off letting some one else inheriet a head ache .But when you have done enough of them you usually have a good list of fitting and nipples that are needed so it is really no big deal if you have to run n grab a extra couple of pre cuts .Having the abaility to cut and thread bigger pipe is a plus but it is a hassle to set up the 400 a extra vise and the drive shaft espically at about 15 minutes a thread on 4 inch .i do have a 300 but i really like the super slow rpms of that ole 1952 rigid 400 for using a drive shaft and larger die it is much easier for one guy . I find that non chain supply house in my area are the ones who have in stock 2.5 and up nipples and fittings because they support what they sell and have the correct materals to get the job done correcly you do pay more price wise but i love one stop shopping and if a supply house carries steam boiler s but do not carry the correct american made fittings they will only see my licensce plate as i leave i refuse to deal w some place that do not stock or support the products they sell that my friend is not a supply house just a dist who.s making mucho mark up and paying the share holder and usually screwing the working man , sorry for the rant but its a tough price war these days but who don,t know that    Peace and good luck clammy