Are pipes made different now?

RayWohlfarth

It seems like some of the new black iron pipes are not made like the old pipes. Perhaps I am getting old and crotchety but it seems that the newer pipes are not made as well as the older ones. We have replaced some leaking nipples on old steam systems with new ones from the big box stores and they do not last nearly as long as the older pipes. I am also noticing they do not thread as well as some of the older pipes. We were threading some pipes and it looked like the threader was actually peeling the pipe rather than threading it. We even bought new teeth and still found the same result. Not sure if you are seeing this or is it just the Pittsburgh pipes doing this. Thanks for your input.
Ray

hot_rod

Make me wonder if there is any testing done on the quality of the steel used in basic steel pipe manufacturing? Especially import stuff

Abracadabra

RayWohlfarth said:

It seems like some of the new black iron pipes are not made like the old pipes. Perhaps I am getting old and crotchety but it seems that the newer pipes are not made as well as the older ones. We have replaced some leaking nipples on old steam systems with new ones from the big box stores and they do not last nearly as long as the older pipes. I am also noticing they do not thread as well as some of the older pipes. We were threading some pipes and it looked like the threader was actually peeling the pipe rather than threading it. We even bought new teeth and still found the same result. Not sure if you are seeing this or is it just the Pittsburgh pipes doing this. Thanks for your input.
Ray

I agree. I've also seen "newish" (~20 year old) galvanized pipes developing leaks where the original (90+ year old) pipes right next to them keep chugging along.

RayWohlfarth

Hot Rod I wonder that myself. It seems like the domestic pipe is different than the imported stuff. Perhaps the salt water affects it on the boat over.
Abracadabra, exactly what I mean
Thanks for not thinking I was crazy

Brewbeer

It's probably not salt water that is causing the problems described. More likely, the quality of the steel used in foreign manufacturing is not as tightly controlled as the steel used for pipe manufacturing here in the US. Shipping pipe 1/2 way around the world is expensive, so they need to cut costs somewhere - namely, the cost of the steel. If the steel manufacturer isn't taking samples for metallurgical analysis during steel production, the steel may not end up with the kind of properties needed to accept being threaded.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I have seen some junk. Went to the supply house and bought a "job Pak" of 1" nipples came in a nice cardboard box. Made in China.

Didn't open the box till I got back to the job...big mistake.

of the 10 or so nipples in the box about 4 were useable... the threads were terrible..un useable.

I have no doubt some of the foreign pipe is NG, who's liable if it blows apart and the stuff is supposed to meet ASTM standards??

Sometimes the cutting oil used can make a difference. I always like the old Hercules black stuff

Mad Dog_2

Absolutely, can't even get a die on some batches. Mad Dog

Henry

Turkish black pipe is fine. We will not use imported unions only Ward.

Leon82

This is why most foreign materials can't be used on aircraft. The cert isnt worth the paper its written on.

RayWohlfarth

Thanks for the feedback all. I kept thinking I was losing my touch It does frighten me to think if this could used inside a boiler for either a water or fire tube.

Charlie from wmass

My father and I used to fight over how terrible the Canadian fight was and how he could never get it to thread well. Turned out the old guy from Long Island that was working for him was dumping crankcase oil used of course into the threading bucket to save having to buy threading oil. I emptied and cleaned the bucket and have only used dark sulfurized lard cutting oil ever since. Dies last longer and the pipe thread better. As for pre cut threads we're definitely taking your life in your own hands with the closed boxes. I learned the hard way to always check them at the counter.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Charlie from wmass
Yeah. I learne d the hard way that time. A long time ago I learned to check all the fittings in the box before heading back to the job. Broke my own rule because I was in a hurry.

I agree about the dark oil, my first choice but our shop is buying clear and it seems to be working well I was suprised

Mad Dog_2

I worked on a job they used vegetable oil...it was disgusting and smelled worse than old, rancid Mc Donalds fryolator. Mad Dog

Charlie from wmass

Was it because they were kosher or because they were vegan?

Mad Dog_2

Funny you say that...it was a yeshiva! M.D.

Charlie from wmass

I was once working at a Hindu retreat running gas pipe and they were a little bit bothered when they saw my gallon jug of cutting oil I was pouring into the oiler bucket.

jumper

When I can't sleep I sometimes think about joining pipe and tubing. I wonder why shrink fitting isn't used?

Harvey Ramer

You would have to turn the pipe ends on a lathe to get a precision fit.

adamfre

I did notice a difference between the pipe I used that was from Taiwan, vs pipe made by Ward. The Ward pipe was much heavier in weight compared to the import stuff, and (oddly enough) seemed to thread better. at the start of my project I didn't realize there was that big a difference in pipe, if I had I would paid more attention to the manufacturer.

Bob Bona_4

Yep, no field thread result is guaranteed these days. Nips come thru with ripped threads, etc. Disappointment.