Low rates and easiest to calculate/understand shipping/handling for stainless steel flex connectors
"I'd like longer stainless flexes than you show. Are they available?" You can easily connect these stainless steel flexes together with couplings. With the o.d. models you need to use a compression coupling. It has compression male fittings on both sides and you simply put your flex on both sides. These
couplings also work well for adapting sizes such as going from 1/4" flex to 3/8" flexes and 3/8" flex to 1/2" flexes.
1/4" compression couplings = $1.24 ;
3/8"x1/4" reducing compression coupling = $1.80 ;
3/8" compression coupling = $1.59 ;
1/2"x3/8" reducing compression coupling = $3.18 ;
1/2" compression coupling = $2.71 . For the s.j. flexes and water heater flexes you can use brass or stainless steel regular "close" nipples:
1/2" = $1.89 ;
3/4" = $3.39 ;
1" x close = $4.79 ;
1 1/2" x close = $9.48 ; or you can use stainless steel close nipples:
1/2" x close stainless nipple = $2.33 ;
3/4" x close stainless nipple = $3.23 ;
1" x close = $4.22 . Be sure not to use any PTFE thread sealing tape or pipe dope when connecting two flexes using these fittings.
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"What does S.J. stand for?" S.J. is known as "slip joint" to some. It is the same size as 1/2" female thread that comes with many faucets and is standard 1/2" pipe thread. It is non-tapered. (Be aware, though, that the SJ flexes might not work well on threaded PVC fittings, as the wall of the PVC fittings might be too thick.)
"What type of threads do the flexes with FHT have?" FHT is Female Hose Thread commonly used for washing machines and garden hoses.
"I'm not clear what the difference is between standard washing machine hose connectors and S.J.?" The standard washing machine hose connectors are 3/4" female hose threads, exactly like what is used outside for garden hose threads..
S.J. is simply 1/2" standard pipe thread - female threaded that fits onto most standard 1/2" male pipe threads. (SJ connectors might not work well on threaded PVC fittings, which may sometimes be too thick.) The only difference is that, unlike standard
fittings that screw onto 1/2" male pipe threads, s.j. isn't tapered. There's no need to use pipe compound or Teflontm (PTFE) tape to help make the seal on the threads, because the
rubber/neoprene cone will make the seal instead against the inside rim of the threads that you are attaching the connector onto.
"I'm used to using copper connectors on my water heater. Are the top left 3/4" Fips as good and will they fit?" Most water heaters are steel. Stainless steel is a far better metal to use between copper, galvanized or non-metal piping and a steel tank.
Yes, the above 3/4" are designed for water heaters and, we think that once you have used our deluxe flexible stainless water heater connectors
you'll never go back to using copper ones. Easy to install, durable and the prices aren't much different than the old type of copper flexes.
"Do you offer volume discounts on these?" On an order of 50 or more of the same item we offer an discount pricing. Volume pricing will appear in your shopping cart.
"I need 100 of one size, how is your inventory on these stainless flexes?" On all but the commercial flexes it is rare that we can't fill orders 100%. If you need 100 of
a 1 1/2" commercial stainless flex we might not be able to fill the entire order immediately.
"What about electrolysis and stainless steel?" Using stainless steel connectors sometimes helps somewhat. Stainless (like brass) is an alloy metal.
The electrical characteristics of alloys seem to make them a bit less prone to dielectric action than pure metals such as copper or iron. The more non-corrosive the alloy components (stainless for example has nickel - a very non corrosive metal) and the wider the electrical potentials of the components of the alloy, the less dielectric problem there seems to be.
The alloy materials don't prevent the results of dielectric action, they just spread it over a greater area. There is less corrosion build up at the point of connection as we see when a copper adapter fitting is attached to a galvanized nipple.
"What are the pressure ratings on these?" Everyone has a different rating but all will take at least the maximum allowed by most codes, which is 80psi at 140 degrees.
These are all top quality flexible connectors.
"What does it mean to have ANSI Certification for lead free plumbing products?" Laws requiring plumbing products that come in to contact with drinking water to be essentially lead-free (0.25% weighted average) have been passed in California and Vermont. In order for companies to ship these plumbing products to locations in CA and VT, they must be ANSI certified lead free.
"What is CA AB 1953 and VT S.152?" CA AB 1953 is a California Assembly Bill that defines "lead free" to mean not more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead content in pipe and fittings. VT S.152 is a Vermont Senate Bill that mimics the California AB 1953 and regulates the amount of lead to a weighted average of 0.25% or less.
We hope that we have helped you on this page with stainless steel flexible connectors,
and thank you for helping to make PlumbingSupply.com the most famous Internet plumbing supplier.
"I'd like longer stainless flexes than you show. Are they available?"
You can easily connect these stainless steel flexes together with couplings. With the o.d. models you need to use a compression coupling. It has compression male fittings on both sides and you simply put your flex on both sides. These
couplings also work well for adapting sizes such as going from 1/4" flex to 3/8" flexes and 3/8" flex to 1/2" flexes.
1/4" compression couplings = $1.24 ;
3/8"x1/4" reducing compression coupling = $1.80 ;
3/8" compression coupling = $1.59 ;
1/2"x3/8" reducing compression coupling = $3.18 ;
1/2" compression coupling = $2.71 . For the s.j. flexes and water heater flexes you can use brass or stainless steel regular "close" nipples:
1/2" = $1.89 ;
3/4" = $3.39 ;
1" x close = $4.79 ;
1 1/2" x close = $9.48 ; or you can use stainless steel close nipples:
1/2" x close stainless nipple = $2.33 ;
3/4" x close stainless nipple = $3.23 ;
1" x close = $4.22 . Be sure not to use any PTFE thread sealing tape or pipe dope when connecting two flexes using these fittings.
