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Purchase fittings for stainless steel pipes

Stainless steel pipe fittings are designed to connect the pipe to another pipe or item. These fittings are also made from stainless steel so the entire piped area remains corrosion-resistant. This protects the contents of the pipe and lengthens the life of the pipe.

I recommend: Visit MegaMex for fittings and fasteners of stainless steel pipe pricing. Visit Neelcon Steel Industries for fittings and steel exhaust piping fasteners. Browse the stainless steel pipe fittings and fasteners available at buyfittingsonline.com.

Find wrenches, benders and crimpers for stainless steel piping

Special tools are often needed to work with stainless steel. These tools are items such as wrenches, pipe benders and crimpers. Stainless steel tools are calibrated and designed to work with stainless steel and should not be used on other types of pipe.

I recommend: Visit DirectIndustry for a wide selection of stainless steel tools. Faucet Depot carries a variety of tools for working with stainless steel pipes. Find out exactly what tools for stainless steel pipe cost at Toolz Unlimited.

Buy stainless steel pipe cutters and threaders

Stainless steel pipe cutters and threaders are equipped to cut through or thread stainless steel exhaust piping without damaging the pipe. Heavy wall equipment is also available to work with harder stainless steel.

I recommend: Find cutters for stainless steel pipe prices at Applied Robotics. Buy cutter wheels for heavy wall stainless steel pipe and metric stainless steel pipe at Reed Manufacturing Company. Conmaco provides new and used machinery for cutting large industrial stainless steel gas piping and heavy wall stainless steel pipe.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The cost of supplies for stainless steel pipe vary depending on the product's specifications. Industrial machines used with heavy wall stainless steel pipe is considerably more expensive than cutters for thin pipe.

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Compile a list of stainless steel piping suppliers

Finding manufacturers is easy. There's a variety of suppliers to choose from, and there are several ways to find them. The important thing is to start with a wide search; that way, you can narrow your choices later to find the one that works best.

I recommend: Thomasnet.com, Process Register and IQS can get you started on finding pipe companies. It's a good idea to start by looking for companies in your region.

Match your needs to a stainless steel pipes company

Consider all the aspects of your business and find the supplier that will meet your needs. Whether you require stainless steel exhaust piping, stainless steel gas piping or something else entirely, locate the supplier that has exactly what you're looking for. Keep stainless steel pipe prices in mind as well at this point and consider your budget when finding a manufacturer.

I recommend: Many manufacturers specialize in certain types of piping, while others, like Texas Pipe and Supply, have a variety to choose from. Stainless & Alloy Piping has a chart where you can input your specifications and search for availability.

Determine the stainless steel pipe cost that your business can afford

Stainless steel pipe prices depend on the supplier and the product; you must decide what you can afford. Once you have determined what you need and which companies can provide the right services, figure out the stainless steel pipe cost option that will be the most economical solution.

I recommend: OnlineMetals.com includes stainless steel pipe pricing information with their category charts (Schedule 10 Stainless Pipe 304 is an example). PlumbingWorld.com has a handy chart for pipe fitting prices as well.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stainless steel pipe price isn't usually negotiable, but if your business has long-term stainless steel piping needs, inquire about bulk discounts with the supplier you've chosen. They might be open to the idea if they know you'll be giving them steady business for an extended period of time.

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Learn how to cut or drill through stainless steel piping

Stainless steel is different from other metals when it comes to cutting and drilling it. If you do not have the knowledge or experience, things could go terribly wrong. Since stainless steel pipe prices are comparatively high, it's important to reduce the amount of errors made with the steel. This helps keep the stainless steel pipe cost at a minimum.

I recommend: Expert Village provides instructional videos that show you how to safely drill through stainless steel pipes. Visit T-Drill Industries to find videos and manuals about using stainless steel pipe cutters. Learn how to drill and cut stainless steel pipes at eHow.com.

Become an expert at threading and sealing stainless steel pipes

Threading the end of stainless steel pipes makes it much easier to attach the pipes to fittings and other pipes. Sealing the thread ensures that none of the substances in the pipe leak out through the thread.

I recommend: Visit RIDGID for helpful tips about threading heavy wall stainless steel pipe. Learn how to use liquid sealant on stainless steel exhaust piping at SAF-T-LOK. Find information about using stainless steel pipe tape on metric stainless steel pipe at Hugh Courtright & Company.

Use fittings and adapters for stainless steel pipes

Fittings and adapters connect stainless steel piping to other objects such as machines, sinks and toilets. Using the correct adapter or fitting for the job makes the process run smoothly. Equally important is knowing how to properly connect the fittings and adapters. The fewer mistakes on the job, the less replacement parts are needed and the less you need to worry about the cost of stainless steel pipes driving your overall cost up.

I recommend: Learn how connectors and fittings are used with water features and find a list of stainless steel pipe pricing at Big Brand Water Filter. Visit Sealexcel to learn how to use push-in fittings for stainless steel gas piping and stainless steel exhaust piping.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using stainless steel pipes requires special tools that are specifically designed for stainless steel. Using non-stainless steel tools on stainless steel piping damages the pipes.

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Brazing

Brazing is the process of joining two or more solids by heating them and melting them into one piece. Some stainless steel pipes are made by brazing two or more steel pieces together.

I recommend: Read the brazing definition on the Stainless Steel Technical Glossary. The glossary includes several useful stainless steel piping terms.

Casing

A casing is a pipe used to create the walls in a hole that has been drilled. The pipes are put in place as structural retainers.

I recommend: Casing is defined in the glossary of terms at the Steel Pipes and Tubes website.

Modulus of elasticity

Modulus of elasticity is the measurement of stress to strain. Stainless steel piping is measured by its rigidity and how well it can carry a load. The higher the measurement, usually in pounds per square inch (psi), the more rigid the pipe is.

I recommend: Review the definition of modulus of elasticity at Rath Gibson. Their website includes a glossary of tubing and pipes.

Aluminized steel

Aluminized steel is steel that has been coated with aluminum as a way to prevent corrosion.

I recommend: Schelber Chimney Systems defines aluminized steel in their glossary of terms. They also provide definitions for many other useful stainless steel piping terms.

Conditioning

Conditioning is defined as the process of removing defects on the surface of a steel pipe. The defects can include pits, laps or seams.

I recommend: Read the definition of conditioning at Plymouth Tube Company. The piping manufacturer provides a glossary of many other stainless steel pipe terms.

Annealing

Annealing, also called solution annealing, is a heating process that creates a soft structure. The process helps relieve stress on the stainless steel and creates a corrosion resistant surface.

I recommend: Read the complete definition of annealing at the Stainless Steel Information Center. Find out how the process works with stainless steel pipes and read about what additional treatments come after annealing in many instances.