3/8" Black Pipe Availability?

aswright · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2019 2:47 pm

Kelly Anderson wrote:

As many of us do, we always keep a 20' length or two of 3/8" Sch. 80 black pipe on the stock rack for misc. plumbing jobs.

Imagine our surprise to find that we had to call three different suppliers to find one that even offered it, and all they had was seamless at $10 per foot! (Reduced to $6 per foot if we buy five lengths.)

Apparently lack of demand is causing 3/8" Sch. 80 to fall by the wayside.

Does anyone know of a supplier that has this once common item in stock at reasonable prices, or is this a nation wide trend?

Kelly,
I just spoke with Leon at Federal Pipe in Detroit.
The will sell 20 foot lengths of WELDED 3/8" Sch. 80 pipe for $73.00 for a quantity of 1-3 and $65.10 for 4+. Call him for your quote.

http://federalpipe.com/
(313) 366-3000

Adam Wright

whodom · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2019 3:12 pm

^ That looks like a deal.

I checked the normal industrial suppliers which are known for selection if not low prices. McMaster-Carr has 3/8" SCH 80 for ~$119 for a 6 foot length! Zoro.com has no listings for 3/8" pipe. Grainger has 6 foot lengths for $34.20 each.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:27 pm

When does one choose seamless pipe and when does one choose welded pipe?

Pegasuspinto · **Joined:** Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:43 am **Posts:** 783

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/465136

Mike Tillger · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:05 am

Yeager Supply-Warehouse is in Reading PA-
http://www.yeagersupply.com/

whodom · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:15 pm

softwerkslex wrote:

When does one choose seamless pipe and when does one choose welded pipe?

Steven- I believe seamless pipe is mandated in certain industries and certain applications. For a given schedule number, seamless pipe will withstand more pressure than a seamed pipe. This article provides more info:

http://www.stlpipesupply.com/blog/benef ... cial-pipe/

For instance, the US Navy uses ONLY seamless pipe; this requirement stems from the loss of the submarine USS Thresher. The Navy mandates that all pipe purchased be seamless to eliminate issues if pipe ordered for another purpose unintentionally winds up on a submarine.