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UPDATE Hoffman 1A vs. Bluefin

Wcurtis
Wcurtis Member Posts: 89
edited December 24 in Strictly Steam
IMG_3005.png

Has anyone used Bluefin radiator air vents, they are not as pretty and don’t have the big name but maybe have a better product?

In my investigative process I came across Bluefin on Supply House when looking for something else and noticed the cost comparison was half the Hoffman 1A.

My house came with a few older 1A’s, I liked the adjustability feature so I purchased more but realized the newer models are extremely sloppy to adjust and seem to hiss more than the older models.

I plan on staying with these type of vents now that 9 of my 11 are of this style and found valuable to assist in heat balancing.

Just looking for ANY feedback from Bluefin.

Thanks

Comments

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,544

    Half as good. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    Long Beach Ed
  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89
    edited December 22

    if the newer 1A were as good as the older one’s it would be a no brainer, however Hoffman has slipped in the quality (yes they’re pretty to look at but it appears they spent the extra time making it pretty instead of making it functionally better or maintain the same quality)

    Side by side comparison shows the new models are shiny in color but harder to see the side adjustment points, also the cap assembly is loose allowing the adjustment to move rendering it less effective (it could move more or less than desired unless it’s held down while screwing cap on)

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,544

    I exclusively use Gortons (all) Hoffman 40. That's it...The best $ can buy. This business has enough headaches, don't need material failures and call backs. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    offdutytechLong Beach EdDan Foley
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 648

    If the Bluefin is less sloppy then it might be worth a try. I have mostly 1a's which are very durable but if you need to adjust to the slowest settings the setting is just not reliable enough. We have been complaining about this for years and Hoffman certainly hasn't fixed the issue so I have only so much loyalty. I would try a couple in my own house but not knowing anything about their reliability wouldn't fill someone else's home with them.

    Good video discussing the adjustable Hoffman vents:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7NiIyvDLbU

    BobC
  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89

    This is exactly what I am referring to, sloppy adjustment, I will try the Bluefin..maybe they see the same thing customers are complaining about and fixing it to drive business their way which if I had a business and saw a customer need I would try to solve it and I do it in America.

    Without knowing I bet Hoffman has these made outside the US for more profit which drives my crazy, more US business care about profit over quality and willing to lose sales because of it.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,323

    I found the only way to adjust the modern 1A is to take it off and blow through it while moving the cap around. The numbers mean absolutely nothing at all as there's nothing to hold the cap in place as you turn it. It'll vent the same at 1 as 6.

    Somewhere along the line they changed something and made it garbage.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 648

    I will be interested to hear your report on the Bluefin and whether or not the sloppiness is fixed or if it is just a cheapened 100% copy. I would like to understand better where they come from. Bluefin Industries appears to be a 2012 filing at a couples home in Clearwater, FL… Maybe Supply House could provide some sourcing information.

  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89

    It arrives Tuesday from Supply House, I will provide feedback (good or bad)

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,421

    I think pretty much everything Bluefin comes from China- just sayin'……………

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Long Beach Ed
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,323
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1828728#Comment_1828728

    Where do the impossible to adjust Hoffman 1As come from?

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,421
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1828735#Comment_1828735

    They were making Hoffman vents in Taiwan for a while- not sure where they come from now.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ethicalpaul
  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89

    Tiawan, wouldnt surprise me at all, why can’t American products stay 100% American not American assembled, guess those extra pennie’s are really worth losing market share and reputation, to me reputation is more valuable than anything else.

  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89
    edited December 22

    Reminds me of Dans episode below

    https://heatinghelp.com/dead-men-tales/the-foundry

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,421

    Gorton vents are still American-made.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Long Beach Ed
  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89

    Purchased a Gorton #2, appears robust, well made and working as I hoped,

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,815
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1828774#Comment_1828774

    And supplyhouse will accept returns of faulty ones so that's good.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,590

    Gortons are the best. Bluefin is junk

    Long Beach Ed
  • Wcurtis
    Wcurtis Member Posts: 89

    Bluefin arrived today and identical to the newer 1A-package says “made in Taiwan” shocking-seems like a copyright issue unless Hoffman owns Bluefin

    photo 2 is an older1A in the #1 (closed) position and it aligns with the #1 on the body with little movement of the cap, very good quality and numbers are easy to read.

    photo 3 is the same closed position, I had to maneuver the rotating cap slightly to install the cap screw and it too has excessive side-to-side play, the unit is chromed and combined with light makes the numbers difficult to read

    Overall it’s as bad as the newer 1A at a fraction of the price. I have it installed in the radiator awaiting a call for heat so I’ll know shortly how well it really works.

    IMG_3023.jpeg
    IMG_3024.jpeg
    IMG_3026.jpeg

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,323

    They're probably made by the same exact place.

    People will pay for the name alone.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    ethicalpaul
  • Waher
    Waher Member Posts: 303

    Hoffman may have contracted BlueFin to manufacture their product and gave permission to them to sell a generic version to certain distributors for a license fee. Similar to some generic grocery store brands. One wonders how much of a steam fittings market exists globally.

    ethicalpaul
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,323
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1829294#Comment_1829294

    At least their cheap with a cheap price.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,331

    It's terrible watching our trade go down the tubes with junk like this…

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,323
    edited 12:41AM
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1829350#Comment_1829350

    When did the revised Hoffman 1A with the useless cap come out? I tried them in 2011 but I'm sure it happened long before that.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 1,765

    Funny, at least to me.

    image.png

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    Long Beach Ed
  • Waher
    Waher Member Posts: 303
    edited 2:18AM
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1829350#Comment_1829350

    In general quality has been excised from the formula for calculating productivity to the detriment of all. Boeing being the post child of the consequences.

    delcrossvLong Beach Ed

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