ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area STEEL OR DIECAST

web site says diecast is better? do we have any thoughts on this? reason for asking-- job was speced steel and it is not, do you forget about price difference? THANKS GEO

What web site says die cast are better?

I prefer steel fittings and almost never use any die cast. Most projects that have written specifications for things like fittings will require steel fittings. Public works projects often require steel compression fittings. In my area they don't seem to be requiring the compression type now.
Steel does cost a little more but you need to work with you supplier on pricing.

caselec
engineering dept @ www.bptfittings.com

I would go with what caselec said, I looked at the site (look at contractor corner)
and they say,


But they do not seem to back this up, they tell you that steel and diecast fittings pass the same test at UL.

Do your own test, couple two 10' EMTs together first with diecast and then with steel.

Hold this straight out from the end and shake well.

Diecast will split, the steel will hold out.

A few years ago I had occasion to use-up a box full of 3/4" old ( 10 to 15 years old ) diecast couplings and some connectors. They were never used before, new but just old.

Almost every one cracked open when tightening the set-screw.

That cured me from using die-cast fittings.

Had installed many-many fresh-off-the-shelf of the same brand, in years gone by, and do not recall having that cracking problem.

I like the "feel" of steel.
I like the cost of "cast."

One place where the die-cast shine: when you need to remove that inside lip from a coupling, so you can slide it over the pipe.
Sometimes, the plumber cuts through conduit whith his concrete saw. Of course, you need to pull new wire- but how do you repair the pipe? Slide couplings over either end, insert a replacement section of pipe, slide coulpings into place, and tighten. Try removing the lip from a steel coupling, and you'll understand why zinc is preferred.