Cheap Copper at Home Depot

[Schumed]

I was told the same thing, was also told the 1/2" refrigerant tube they have on sale is not for drinking water use and is intended for chemical refrigerant gas. The guy was not 100%sure, but he thought it did not have to conform to the lead standards so it may have more lead in it.

This is all I could find on the laws and it is a bit hard to fully understand so if anyone else knows more about it and can translate it to "layman's" terms Please feel free to let us all know.

Old Law:
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/lead_nsfstandard.cfm

New law:
https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/piping-systems/new-rules-for-new-copper-alloys

hmmm...my plumbing guy said this sizes are no longer standard and thats why its been phased out...didn't know anything about the lead

 

[smagic14]

Home depot employee: I dont even have to look I can tell you right now we don't have it for that price
Me: well can you at least get it for me
HD: ill get it but I guarantee it isnt that cheap

Follows me to Checkout $15.03 1/2 inch 50 foot

Thanks OP

 

[MindenMan]

Sometimes the world of retail is amazing. Years ago I worked at the Contractor desk of "Supply One", a early version of HD. The department guys didn't like me, as when I would ask a customer did you find everything, they'd say no, the plumbing guy said you were out of such and such. I would then tell or take them to the exact spot where what they wanted was, and the department guys would look, well, stupid. You can't fix stupid.

 

[Mdsutton]

OK, chilling difference between the 1/2" and 3/8"? My Home Depot has both, the 1/2" is $35 and the 3/8" is 27. Do I need the 1/2" is there that big a difference between these sizes in cooling efficiency?

Thanks

 

[stpug]

This is the copper tubing being sold by HD (Mueller Streamline Dehydrated Refrigeration Coil):
http://www.muellerindustries.com/products/hvac-refrigeration/hvac-tube-and-pipe/hvac_copper_tube

On that page you can see that it is "NSF Approved" and meets ASTM standards: B-88, B-306 & B-280, but what exactly does that mean? Read here to find out:
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techref/nsf/pip_cert.html

ASTM B 88: Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube
This specification covers Copper UNS No. C12200 seamless copper water tube suitable for general plumbing, and similar applications for the conveyance of fluids, and commonly used with solder, flared or compression type fittings. The type of copper water tube suitable for any particular application is determined by the internal or external fluid pressure, by the installation and service conditions and by local requirements. Means of joining or bending are also factors that affect the type of tube to be used.

Just because we are buying "refrigeration" tubing doesn't take away from the fact that it meets ASTM B-88; it's just not sized correctly for general plumbing purposes.



While this company (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/coppertubing.html#faq) is not an authority on copper, they ARE a retailer with their companies reputation on-the-line regarding the products they sell and here's what they say:

Q. "Does soft copper have less copper content? In other words, is it less or more pure than straight lengths?"
A. Hard and soft copper (unless utility grade) are very pure in copper content (99.9% pure copper with no other metals mixed in). The only difference is the way they are made. There are differences in thickness in copper grades of pipe. We like refrigeration grade because when we get it, it is "sealed dehydrated" (cleaner than most other grades). Many codes insist on certain "types" (K, L, or M) of copper and so, if you are plumbing a house, etc. please do not assume that the copper tubing that we offer is code in your area. Check with your local code authorities before ordering. Generally it is "best" to purchase your copper fittings from us and to purchase your copper pipe and tubing locally. The main reason that we offer the copper tubing above is for people that only need a small amount or short lengths as well as we offer sizes not found in many local hardware stores and home centers.

Q."I have 'refrigeration grade' copper tubing. How do I determine which size copper sweat fittings to use?"
A. Refrigeration grade soft copper tubing is sized according to the outside diameter of the copper pipe. The plumbing industry uses the inside diameter (nominal) size of the pipe for their measurement of sweat/solder fittings. To determine what size sweat fittings to use on refrigeration grade tubing you must subtract 1/8" from the outside diameter of the copper pipe measurements. If you have 1/4" outside diameter refrigeration grade tubing then you will need to order 1/8" (nominal) sweat/solder fittings. Copper sweat fittings are not available for 1/8" or 3/16" O.D. copper tubing.

Let's see what Mueller has to say about this.....

 

[CUrchin]

I Google the the ACR (refrigerant)tubing standard ASTMB280- ACR tubing is required to be 99.9% copper per that standard.

As I understand it the only difference between plumbing and refrigerant tubing is that the refrigerate tubing has been cleaned and dehydrated to a higher standard so as not to contaminate a refrigerant system. Also, the refrigerant guys use O.D. as opposed to I.D. like the plumbing guys. Keep this in mind when buying fittings.

99.9% is as pure as it gets in my world. I probably am getting more chem exposure typing on this keyboard....

 

[FLBrew]

Home depot employee: I dont even have to look I can tell you right now we don't have it for that price Me: well can you at least get it for me HD: ill get it but I guarantee it isnt that cheap Follows me to Checkout $15.03 1/2 inch 50 foot Thanks OP

Take that pessimistic HD guy!

 

[501irishred]

hmmm...my plumbing guy said this sizes are no longer standard and thats why its been phased out...didn't know anything about the lead

Refrigeration pipe is sized for OD, where plumbing pipe is sized for ID. ie 1/2" Ref. = 3/8" plumbing. Makes it confusing, but it is (and was) standard

 

[Matteo57]

Are these HDs all over the US or only certain parts? Anyone in SoCal find luck on these things?

 

[atjsparty]

No huge savings in Northern VA. Both Arlington and Annandale are $57 for 1/2" x 50'. Springfield store didn't have any. Damn!

 

[petrostar]

Crazy they're selling it this cheap. Its scrap cost is much much higher than their sale price. Time to make some money!

 

[FLBrew]

Crazy they're selling it this cheap. Its scrap cost is much much higher than their sale price. Time to make some money!

Yeah, if the online calculator is right, you can make $17 on a roll of 60x 1/2 ID.

It's showing $3.10/lb
http://www.scrapmonster.com/scrap-p...Scrap/-1-Copper-Wire-and-Tubing-scraps/18/1/1

 

[timmber]

Just scored a 1/2" ID X 60' last one on shelf for $28.92 out the door.

 

[smagic14]

I would suggest taking the copper to the checkout to see the price

My HD had it for 48ish on the shelf but when it was scanned at checkout it was $15.03 for 1/2 inch 50 ft

 

[atjsparty]

It was $57.70 at checkout at both places.

 

[Rozycki]

Just picked up a 50 footer. This store said they just marked it down today and are getting out of the copper business. They will just stock some common parts. The other stores in my area were all sold out over the weekend.

 

[Matteo57]

I just went to both HDs near me an both said they clearanced those a few months ago..... Hmmmm lame! I looked up on the top shelves anyways, no luck! Garbage!!!! I need a 50ft chiller too!!!

 

[jtratcliff]

Lotta pages here. Haven't been through them all yet.

Any joy at HDs around Pasadena, CA?

 

[iaefebs]

Lotta pages here. Haven't been through them all yet.

Any joy at HDs around Pasadena, CA?

Call Jim at 323 555-1212 he will hand deliver your copper for no charge. How much easier could it be?

 

[Matteo57]

No luck around the few shops I went to in the inland empire in CA. Went to the two in Corona CA. THey said they had been clearanced for a few months.... Sucks!

 

[datman7890]

All the home depots in mn don't have it on clearance yet. Still shows normal price but it's all up high and new brands on the shelf. Hopefully they go on clearance soon.

 

[snackson]

Yeah, no dice here in San Diego.

 

[Winters49441]

Five rolls in Muskegon, Michigan

 

[jtratcliff]

Call Jim at 323 555-1212 he will hand deliver your copper for no charge. How much easier could it be?

Wise guy, eh? Why I outta.....

 

[jtratcliff]

oops double post

 

[lilrokz06]

No luck around the few shops I went to in the inland empire in CA. Went to the two in Corona CA. THey said they had been clearanced for a few months.... Sucks!

HD in Whittier has one left as of yesterday. 50' 1/2" for less than $20.

 

[MindenMan]

I returned to the Carson City HD again, and the same 5/8" x 50' is $28.00, and there are three rolls left. Tomorrow I will venture to the other HD on the North end of town, and see if they have any other size. I did scan some of the other sizes, and no sale.

 

[evandena]

View attachment 160048

Five rolls in Muskegon, Michigan

Want to buy and mail me one? I'd gladly pay you for your service.

 

[Matteo57]

Seriously, anyone eat to send me one? I will pay, thanks!

 

[rdarr40]

My Home Depot only has 5/8" OD x 50' remaining. It is $22. I offered $15 for one that was missing the cap on one end. Now I don't know what I'm going to do with it.