Pipe Confusion

klal

This is likely a simple question, but I'm confused nonetheless. I'm looking to repipe a section of a steam riser (1-1/4) from the radiator to the main. Sites like supplyhouse.com clearly label some (but not all) fittings as "Black Cast Iron Steam" for instance, but Home Depot and Lowes have "Black Iron", "Black Steel" and "Black Malleable Iron." I'm sure there is a difference, but I'm clearly not aware of it.

Jamie Hall

Not really much difference in material, perhaps, although malleable iron is not the same thing as cast at all. But... usually a significant difference in quality of the fitting, particularly the threads.

klal

What should I steer clear of then, which is the best option? Or are you referring more to the manufacturer? Supplyhouse.com carries mostly Ward for their domestic fittings.

Jamie Hall

Go with Supply House

klal

I'll likely get the fittings from Supplyhouse.com and the longer run (10 ft) of pipe from Home Depot. The black steel piping from Home Depot is rated for natural gas and air supply lines and has a max PSI of 1200, that would work well enough then?

pecmsg

klal said:

I'll likely get the fittings from Supplyhouse.com and the longer run (10 ft) of pipe from Home Depot. The black steel piping from Home Depot is rated for natural gas and air supply lines and has a max PSI of 1200, that would work well enough then?

Are you threading this pipe? Might want to consider American made. Blackman, Ferguson. More $ much better quality when threading!

retiredguy

What ever you do do not buy the foreign made "crap", buy only the "made in the USA" brands. Most of the foreign stuff is garbage. I can tell you about the horror stories from using foreign fittings.

klal

Two questions, first would this fitting work for steam (it does not say steam specifically anywhere). I am using it for the above referenced return to the main:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ward-FBUN1-1-4-1-1-4-Black-Union

And is there any real difference between the following reducers:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ward-FBCO1-1-4X1-1-1-4-x-1-Black-Coupling

and

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ward-FCIRE1-1-4x1-1-1-4-x-1-Black-Cast-Iron-Steam-Reducer-459000-p

ethicalpaul

Answer #1: Yes
Answer #2: One is malleable iron and one is cast iron. I'd buy the cheaper (malleable) one.