I picked up 3x 1/2" stainless 3-piece ball valves on the auction site. They were sold as threaded. Of course, when they arrives, they are not. Knowing my luck, the seller won't refund. If this is this case, does anybody have any suggestions on what to do with them? Would it make sense to have somebody weld on some sort of coupler?
What should I do with non-threaded ball valves?
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Dwain
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More than likely, it would be cheaper to just buy threaded valves off of eBay. You can always sell those also. - Dwain
Definitely dispute it but if you had to, you could have them welded right to your vessels.
Yeah, I plan on disputing. Knowing how the eBay / PayPal conglomerate work, though, I'm definitely not counting on getting anything back.
Looks like I may need to find a welder.
Looks like I may need to find a welder.
Actually, the buyer is always right when Paypal is concerned.
Did not realize that. May have to file a claim, after all. Does PayPal also handle the shipping in a dispute like this?
JetSmooth
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Make sure you print out or take a screenshot of the listing, to show they were misrepresented.
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Yeah, shouldn't be a problem getting your money back through paypal. They are good about that. Or you could get them threaded.
OK - dumb question: I can buy a tap & die set to get them threaded, but I've never done that before. On a level of 1 - 10, how difficult is this? If I wanted to get them threaded, what sort of profession would handle that?
Thanks for the responses, everybody.
Thanks for the responses, everybody.
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A machine shop could do it super quick and probably cheaper than the price of the tap set.
To do it yourself, it's easy, just clamp the part good, and make sure you're going in straight with the die. turn slowly and use some sort of oil since they're stainless.
To do it yourself, it's easy, just clamp the part good, and make sure you're going in straight with the die. turn slowly and use some sort of oil since they're stainless.
Cool. I think I'll see how much a 1/2" tap is at Northern Tools today. Thanks!
Thirteen
Well-Known Member
You'd normally drill to 23/32 to tap for NPT. If you're off by too much I'd be worried about what kind of sealing you get from your threads.
Ouch. Didn't think of that part. Crap.
Well, that's no good. I may as well get new valves. Here's hoping I get my money back.
Dwain
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Fuzzybee,
Not only all of the above, but those valves will be harder than Superman's kneecaps. You would have to buy really expensive bits/taps/dies, as well as a drill press to drill straight. - Dwain
Not only all of the above, but those valves will be harder than Superman's kneecaps. You would have to buy really expensive bits/taps/dies, as well as a drill press to drill straight. - Dwain
Datchew
Well-Known Member
suggest you go to a machine shop or buy new valves instead of having your first tapping experience on stainless. especially if it's potentially cast material.
alot can be difficult.
alot can be difficult.
WPStrassburg
Well-Known Member
how much did you pay for them? Might be able to sell them if you can't get the $$ back and save the frustration of dealing with the moron seller.
They were 30-some odd bucks + shipping for the three. I may just put them up for sale here. My loss is someone else's gain 
Update -
The seller has agreed to give me some of the money back, and I'll keep the valves.
I figured I could take off the flanges and have one of the types of quick connects welded on. What's the current recommendation - tri-clovers, quick-disconnects, camlocks, or something else? Do all of these come in a form that would allow me to have them welded onto these flanges?
The seller has agreed to give me some of the money back, and I'll keep the valves.
I figured I could take off the flanges and have one of the types of quick connects welded on. What's the current recommendation - tri-clovers, quick-disconnects, camlocks, or something else? Do all of these come in a form that would allow me to have them welded onto these flanges?
Any suggestions on what to put on these socket-weld flanges?
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All three of your suggestions above are common around here. Cam locks seem to be relatively new, but so far it looks like people are happy with them. I personally think the TriClovers look cool if you have the money for them. Seem simple for cleaning and what not too. No ball bearings to worry about like on a standard QD. Plus I tihnk they just give the brewery that extra "commercial" look
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