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US vs. Chinese CI fittings for new boiler + piping

stormbytes
stormbytes Member Posts: 36
in Plumbing

Installing a new steam boiler + steam lines in an old 2-fam. Considering US made fittings (Ward) but supply is spotty and cost is 2x the China made stuff (Bluefin). Would appreciate pro's + con's, along with any experience-based insights.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,599
    edited October 7

    The threads are less consistent on the chinese stuff but that can be fixed with tape and dope. The threads sometimes are not square to each other which can be more of an issue. I think I have ended up replacing almost all of the larger chinese black unions with us made unions because the joint leaked in the chinese ones.

    So, if you have some wiggle room the chinese fittings are probably fine, on more critical things the us fitigns might make more sense.

    stormbytesoffdutytech
  • stormbytes
    stormbytes Member Posts: 36

    Apparently Ward isn't shipping parts anymore. Foundry's been shut down. Company is going to be dissolved soon. Spoke with an employee. They're basically skeleton crew at this point. Backorders will likely still ship, but nothing after that. Guess its Anvil for domestic from here on out.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,828

    Yes, Ward sold out to Anvil.

    Just use malleable fittings if the CI is hard to get

    SlamDunkethicalpaulIntplm.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,498

    Only did 3 new steam installs and some replacement piping on others.

    It seemed logical to use china fittings above water line where piping drains dry and US below the water line because of thickness, quality of material etc.

    Always malleable, no cast iron around in the Midwest.

    offdutytech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,874

    In my limited experience I've never seen a fitting that rusted out, it's always a nipple anyway. Run what you brung

    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

    Grallert
  • CTETeach
    CTETeach Member Posts: 33

    If I can help it, I always buy American even if it's a few bucks more. I'm a firm believer in the old saying

    Buy American The Job You Save May Be Your Own!

    Mad Dog_2

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