[montroller]

Holy shit those are cheap! found some for $40... It doesn't seem like Ladish still makes tri clamp valves and the ones I did find looked pretty beat. Not sure I would put that on my system without rebuilding cleaning and testing first. But at $40-60 you aren't losing too much in trying and potentially saving a lot if it works.

[FishmanK]

well generic triclamp ball valves in 304 are about that too if you make offer or see an auction through.
This "ebay valet" service had listings though for 316 SS Valves from china, generic, I hadn't seen before with prices only a few dollars over their 304 counterparts
Everything Ive seen online including BHOgart and GW's first pix use these chinese generic 304 valves and Ive read very little about problems with them...

I guess if we were Harley riders we would have a motorcyle 1/2 built in our living rooms instead... ?

heh

[FishmanK]

Montroller if you like instrument grade fittings, as I do, I assume you have looked at Parker Fittings from the clearance/surplus wholesalers on ebay?

I have some extra 1/4" npt Parker branch tees (316 instrument grade 1/4 MxFxF tee)
and some extra 1/2 male x 3/8 female elbows (316 instrument grade) im up for trading for other parker fittings

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by montroller

Yah when I spoke with the sales rep he told me that everything was imported. Honestly though I'm fine with that, my only concern is the tri clamp ball valve. I have heard about the knock offs being low quality and leaking, anyone have experience with that?

No one using their solvent tank? I am really interested in seeing some reviews of how well the inner coil chills with the jacket vacuumed. The idea seems much more efficient than the competition.

The first ball valve I got was from KST Kingstone and it lasted a over a year, but I did take it apart a one point and had problems with it ever after. The second and most recent one I'm using now came from Glacier.

The one from Glacier is definitely nicer but the 4 bolts were loose, however they did find out for me that the torque specs are supposed to be 36ft/lbs which seems insanely tight me as the valve is hard enough to move when they tight to 15ft/lbs.

In BOTH cases the handles be came loose/warped and would hit the stop just slightly before the ball was finished closing leaving a gap about 1/32", just enough for butane to leak through internally causing problems with achieving a full flood, and almost overfilling the collection pot.

I've had to remedy this by using an adjustable wrench as a handle.

[FishmanK]

I had an issue with some parts from Glacier. The speed of fixing the issue and very personable assistance made it worth dealing with them, ime.
They have had a sale price on a few sizes of triclamp filter plates for awhile now that was cheapest I found on-line.

[FishmanK]

Received KACE 1/2" NPT 3-piece valves today
Taiwanese but 316 and very nice quality
$12 surplus clearance on auction

[FishmanK]

Oh and Extractor Depot has some great jic to ntp fitting deals
I was all over ebay just finding a few sizes in 316 and they have them for less...

[BigJohnny]

I just ordered a 4" packing hopper from them, I can't believe that didn't exist before..... that will greatly enhance my life lol.

[Old Gold]

They do have really nice prices and a good inventory.
Where's my 6" packing hopper?!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Old Gold

They do have really nice prices and a good inventory.
Where's my 6" packing hopper?!

I could use a 3" and 2" hopper, but I haven't even used those columns for like a year now.

How much material does a 6"x36" column hold?