Stainless Steel - Fittings - Nipples - Valves

Q. "Do you sell stainless flare, compression fittings or stainless tubing?"
A. We also offer stainless water flexes, stainless gas flexes, and stainless hose clamps. But what we show above is all that we sell in the way of stainless fittings, and we don't sell tubing. We do sell brass flare and compression fittings.

Q. "Are half couplers / couplings threaded all the way through the inside of each fitting?"
A. No, half couplers have tapered female threads, therefore, do not have threads throughout the entire inside portion of each fitting.

Q. "What is the pressure rating for your stainless steel fittings and nipples?"
A. Both type 304 and type 316 fittings and nipples have a normal working pressure rating of 150 psi.

Q. "You show NPT pipe sizes but you don't show the threads per inch for each size. How do I know these NPT threads will match my threads?"
A. We show threads per inch (TPI) for NPT pipe sizes from 1/16" thru 12" pipe thread sizes and other information about determining NPT threads on our NPT thread sizing page.

Q. "I tightened my nipple threads into my female threaded fitting, but it won't thread all the way in. Some of the threads are still showing. What am I doing wrong?"
A. Attempting to thread them all the way in or on is incorrect. Tapered pipe threaded nipples are not designed to thread all the way into the female thread fittings. Tapered pipe threads are designed to get tighter as they are joined, until they are forced to stop because of the taper, or pressing the threads together to form the seal. Pipe threading compounds and PTFE tape are used to lubricate and fill in any imperfections in the threads to help prevent leaks. Once tightened by hand and then with a wrench there should usually still be 2-3 threads showing. If you try to force the threads beyond the normal tightening proceedure, then you could possibly split the female fitting. Generally and ideally speaking, you should be able to hand tighten tapered pipe threads 3 turns and then tighten them with a wrench 3 turns and then there should be 3 threads showing.

Q. "Will IPS-sized fittings work with NPT pipe thread?"
A. Yes. Many companies and individuals use the abbreviation IPS which normally refers to iron pipe size. When we use the term 'IPS-sized', or either male (Mips) or female (Fips), we are referring to pipes with NPT threads. NPT is the abbreviation for National Pipe Thread Tapered which is the thread standard used in the United States for galvanized, black, brass, stainless steel, PVC, ABS or other materials to connect pipes and fittings in plumbing. We offer more detailed information about NPT pipe threads here.

Q. "I'm hearing a lot about lead-free these days. What does that have to do with plumbing products and how does the new lead-free legislation affect me?"
A. Basically, the laws implemented Jan. 1st, 2014 require plumbing products that come in contact with drinking water to be "essentially lead free" (less than 0.25% weighted average). For further information about how the law determines what is "lead free", rules regarding which plumbing products must be "lead free", and who these laws will affect, please view our page.