Certain fittings...Why so expensive??

[/pine]

I am getting an online order together for some hoses and fittings...I usually like to order a few extra relative fitting to have on hand...

I am fond of ordering hoses with just straight male pipe ends and use mechanical (swivel) fittings where they connect to a cylinder, valve etc...

I was shocked to see the price difference between a 1/2" male pipe to 1/2" female swivel ($2.27) and a 1/2" female swivel to 1/2" female swivel ($27.62)...

MP - FMS: Male Pipe (NPTF) x Female Pipe Swivel (NPSM)

FMS- FMS: NPSM Female Pipe Swivel Union

 

[oldnslo]

the dual swivel is more difficult to manufacture & would require extra handling and machining time.

Curious: Why are you so fond of pipe threads VS JIC 37 degree flare?

 

[/pine]

the dual swivel is more difficult to manufacture & would require extra handling and machining time.

Curious: Why are you so fond of pipe threads VS JIC 37 degree flare?

I'm not opposed to JIC connections...but for instance for one (3/8" crimped) 90 degree JIC hose end fitting is over $6.00 alone...a straight male pipe end fitting is about $2.50 and a 90 degree swivel fitting is about the same...
For myself it makes things more versatile...most of the application hoses I use have QD's on at least one end and with pipe it is easy to change both the sizes and end fittings...i.e., easy to add a JIC end if needed to use/pirate a hose from one application to another in a pinch...

 

[Steave]

I do most of my work in heavy brush and tree areas and am replacing hoses more often than some. A JIC fitting will last for years even with repeated changes. So will the NPT last too but are more prong to leaking after the initial installation. I've seen the price difference as you stated and try if at all possible to stay away from the expensive type.

I've been following your other thread about your DW aux. and am not surprised to see this thread. I know you've been buying a lot of fittings.

 

[/pine]

I do most of my work in heavy brush and tree areas and am replacing hoses more often than some. A JIC fitting will last for years even with repeated changes. So will the NPT last too but are more prong to leaking after the initial installation. I've seen the price difference as you stated and try if at all possible to stay away from the expensive type.

I've been following your other thread about your DW aux. and am not surprised to see this thread. I know you've been buying a lot of fittings.

In most instances I try to use the NPSM swivel fittings wherever possible...they use a machined 30 degree camfer seat...male ends have the camfer and the female (swivel nut) ends have a (male) bevel inside...no sealant, tape etc. is required...all the ease of JIC flares but a little stouter IMO...

Actually I have not bought any fittings in a few years...other than an item or two at TSC when I did not have what I needed on hand...
...Even before I bought my first tractor I started acquiring (in assorted lots) all the (tractor applicable) hydraulic paraphernalia I could find on e-bay for cheap...I bought (many times in lots) fittings, QDs, valves, cylinders, hoses etc., etc...

When I first got the DW I did buy (retail) a variety of ORFS to pipe adapters (and extra o-rings)...mainly so I could connect my pressure gauge manifold to different DW circuits (all of which are ORFS)...they also came in handy to rig a temporary hose on a skid steer (also ORFS) for a friend in a pinch...

I will be adding a few extras with the order I'm working on...I almost had enough stuff on hand to rig all three of the valves mentioned in the other thread...

 

[/pine]

...the dual swivel is more difficult to manufacture & would require extra handling and machining time.

I get that...but c'mon...is it really over 10 times more costly to manufacture etc...?

 

[RickB]

I get that...but c'mon...is it really over 10 times more costly to manufacture etc...?

The M/F swivel probably outsells the F/F double swivel by 1000 to one or more. Low numbers = higher unit cost.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

How about one of these? Not a double female swivel, but a singe swivel with a fixed female and less than $3.

 

[wdchyd]

The M/F swivel probably outsells the F/F double swivel by 1000 to one or more. Low numbers = higher unit cost.

Yep, supply vs demand

 

[/pine]

How about one of these? Not a double female swivel, but a singe swivel with a fixed female and less than $3.

Honestly I have no current need for the double female swivel...thought a couple of them in 3/8" and 1/2" would be handy to have on hand but not at that price...!...I am opting for something similar to what you cited as well as just a couple of standard (steel) female pipe couplings and nipples etc...

I do have a little invested but I also have a better selection of assorted (tractor applicable) hydraulic fittings etc. than any place within 50+ miles including a couple of TSC stores...don't always have exactly what I need (without pirating something else) but a majority of the time I can improvise with what I do have on hand...my latest endeavor exposed a lack of a few type/sizes of fittings/adapters that I'll be adding...