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Since this thread has been brought up, I want to mention that if you are going to use CSST, get the black kind. It costs a little more than the yellow, but it's supposed to be slightly better stuff, and it's way less ugly once installed.

I mostly avoid CSST, but have gotten on board with "Megapress gas" fittings for use with steel pipe. The Propress machine and extra set of jaws that you'll need are insanely expensive, but the amount of time and effort it saves is quite impressive, and not having an oil bucket to tip over inside of your van ever again is a beautiful thing indeed.

We use both. Which one we use depends on which is going to get the job done faster and easier.

Having worked on steam systems through my whole professional career, Black is beautiful. We all invest in tools to save time, doesn't mean we should lower ourselves by cutting corners.

Originally Posted by BobNH

Plain and simple,

If Black Iron is installed correctly, it's allot safer.

and when it’s Not?

Originally Posted by doc havoc

Wow! An 18 year old thread? Necro-threads are illegal around here.

I wish that were true.

Originally Posted by BobNH

Plain and simple,

If Black Iron is installed correctly, it's allot safer.

Wow! An 18 year old thread? Necro-threads are illegal around here.

Plain and simple,

If Black Iron is installed correctly, it's allot safer.

Black Pipe

I work on boiler for a living and black pipe is all I use. I hve threaded by hand an with a auto pipe threader. I perfer the auto threader. Besides as on of the other gentleman stated, IT OLAIN LOOKS BETTER and more professional and after al that is what you looking for, correct?

Just wondering how lightning could hit the csst piping. All the mfrs info i've read states it cant be run outside. Its supposed to be terminated at the pipe penetration and hard piped to the meter. Also, the gas piping is required to be bonded to the electrical system per Code.
Like anything else if its installed right in the first place per mfr's specs csst is no different than black pipe.

There is an article in this months Journal of Light Construction about flexable ss gas pipe and fires. Talks about lightning strikes and the pipe shorting out to the nearest ground, burning a hole in the tube, igniting the gas. Kind of scary.

So far the consensus is Black pipe.

Now, is it because that's what you old timers have used all your lives and don't like change?

I spoke with the guy who wrote the code for the 'new' stuff. He says it's rough and tough and you can't blow it down. But you do need to be certified to use it because if you don't know how to use the fittings you can have leaks.

We do a lot of work for a fire restoration contractor and have seen many homes where the flex was hit by lightning or a shorted wire and blew apart makes for one hell of a fire. I have never seen black iron blew apart even after lightning has hit it. Guess whats in my home.

"My only mistake is that I got old. And if your lucky you'll make the same mistake." -- Andy Rooney.

Bryantman,

I was talking about the guys at the shop. Although it's amazing to me how my definition of "old" keeps changing! :-)

Originally posted by hvac student_4063
use Besides, isn't flex against Code if you use it inside the cabinet of the furnace?

We carry a lot of fittings and nipples, and hardly ever have to worry about threading something.

Right,you can't make the connection to the appliance with wardflex,black pipe it from there.It's the bright yellow that stands out and makes it look kinda goofy.

I am only 24 I would not think of using any thing other then Black pipe. My dad threads by hand. I use my 300 but I make up all my fitting in my pipe vise. Plus you got to love the smell of Ridgid Dark oil. The only thing I like about Flex is that ther all home runs.

LOL, just joking

I hope for your sake that you ae not referring to me as an old timer.Cause if you did ........

The old timers dish out quite the ration of crap if you use flex (ask me how I know)! Besides, isn't flex against Code if you use it inside the cabinet of the furnace?

We carry a lot of fittings and nipples, and hardly ever have to worry about threading something.

Black pipe today,black pipe tommorrow,black pipe forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the smell of pipe dope in the morning,it smells like.......
Quality.
I may be called stupid or set in my ways,but black iron looks better and performs better anyday in my book.I thread my pipe by hand because i'm too poor to afford a power threader,but once i get through installing youll never know the difference.Man i love that black iron...Maybe the best workout a man can get.Threading pipe by hand........
Brang yo ass!And yo lunch......