Threadolet vs. weld boss vs. ?

[BigTank]

I have a question about terminology/naming of some branch connections I'm sure are very familiar to all of us. I'm also guessing that my company is not the only having experienced this problem.

The problem: receiving what Penn Machine (

http://www.pennusa.com)

calls a 'weld boss' in place of a 'threadolet' (

http://www.bonneyforge.com).

The 'weld boss' appears in real-life to have been machined from a forged coupling as the O.D.'s match for both fittings, and both coupling and 'weld boss' are made of the same materials, typically. The 'threadolet' (or sockolet) is made to the MSS-SP-97 standard.

An advantage of the 'weld boss' is a smaller required thru-hole in the run piping, and this is the advantage that we are after. (We have enough reinforcement in the wall of the 'weld boss'.)

My question: It appears that these 'weld bosses' have quite a few names. Is there a 'proper' name associated with an ASME, ANSI, or MSS-XX code for this beast? I am fighting a battle on a couple of fronts: our vendors are obviously confused, our shipping/receiving dept. needs some training on the differences, and we need to requisition them with some sort of standard methodology to consistently receive one or the other.

There are many different names for threadolets and the like as can be seen by comparing what McMaster, Grainger, and the other vendors/manufacturers mentioned above call the same item.

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Fitter, happier, more productive

 

[rmw]

If you will go back to the Bonney Forge site and look at their section on trade names, you will find that about anything that you can put in front of the (rest of the) word "olet" has been trademarked by them. If you were going to manufacture a competitive branch connection product to theirs, what would you call them?

rmw

 

[BigTank]

Golly. What's a boy to do? Do I owe Bonney Forge some royalties just for mentioning their trademarks? Ha.

Still, the problem remains.

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Fitter, happier, more productive

 

[jte]

Call it an "integrally reinforced branch connection". No trademark issues.

jt

 

[DraftingMan]

BigTank,

I do not understand your issue.

A Bonney Forge Thredolet and a Penn Machine Weld Boss look nothing alike.

Thredolet example :

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...564dc9c8570&file=Bonney_Forge_-_Thredolet.png

Weld Boss example :

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...654c2e56ec7&file=Penn_Machine_-_Weld_Boss.png

Are these the correct items??

A Penn Machine Threaded Outlet does look like a Bonney Forge Thredolet.

Threaded Outlet example :

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...f716a&file=Penn_Machine_-_Threaded_Outlet.png

John H. Dunten, CD
Certified Drafter

 

[BigTank]

The issue is we're ordering threadolets and sometimes getting weld bosses (by the Penn Machine definition). I know they are very different beasts.

To find a solution to the problem it would be helpful to know to what part of the ASME code the weld bosses are manufactured and what that part of the code calls the weld boss. Our vendors obviously aren't guiding those workers that pull the stock off the shelves, and that is part of the problem. Either that, or the management at these vendors don't realize that these items are very different in reality and intention. In addition we need to do more policing on our end in receiving.

All of the solutions begin by calling the weld boss by the most appropriate name...and that is what I do not know. Aside I'm thinking of giving an O.D. of the fitting to deliniate one type from the other, and let the vendor figure out the best way for their stock pickers to obtain this information.

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Fitter, happier, more productive

 

[vesselfab]

you could call them

Bonney Threadolet or equal

keep sending them back or use a different vendor

 

[BigTank]

Well the real issue is that I WANT the 'weld boss'. It's easy to pick a name for the threadolet.

Has NOBODY experienced this?!

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Fitter, happier, more productive

 

[vpl]

Couldn't you do the same thing that vesselfab's recommending only in reverse:

"Penn Machine Weld Boss or Equivalent"

You could even throw in a part number to make sure you're getting what you want. Then if someone wants to supply something different it's up to them to show you that their part is equivalent to the one specified.

Patricia Lougheed

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[BigTank]

I could, vpl. What I'm encountering with vendors, and perhaps others could speak to this, is what seems to be a stuanch unwillingness to acommodate. I will spec. a material grade or specific item, and if the vendor cannot find that specific item, they will not take any extra effort to offer something similar or implied. An example: recently when spec.'ing 304H material in tube form, I received a 'no quote' vs. an offering of 304/304H in the same form which I believe is available. Another example: more general, if the vendor does not stock 3/4" thick SA-171 C44300, but they do stock 1", they 'no quote' vs. offering the thicker plate as a substitute.

Vendors seem to be getting harder to work with in several respects. I'm afraid that if I tie them to a brand name they won't see the forest for the trees so-to-speak.

I may try vpl's suggestion and see what happens.

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Fitter, happier, more productive

 

[rmw]

Your vendors aren't hungry enough. You need to find some that are willing to work with you.

rmw

 

[rmw]

I thought more about my response after posting. I should have added "unless your company has a reputation for being a horses a## and rejecting alternate bids out of hand."

rmw