Unfortunately, my local Lowe's does not carry black iron floor flanges, which I need for my various projects. Therefore, I went out to the internet. Prices vary greatly for some of these items. I have seen ½-inch floor flanges for under $2 and over $10. Some of the decision has to come down to certain non-monetary criteria.
While looking at the flanges available through Home Depot's website, a customer complained that he thought he was ordering a specific brand and was instead given a Chinese knockoff. I have also read some articles on line {so they have to be true, right? :::wink, wink:::} that Chinese flanges have less accurate threads. Also, my brother, the former gang member, would kill me if the parts weren't made in the U.S.A. My search took me to a company called MSC Direct.
MSC Direct isn't the least expensive place to get flanges; they are better than some and worse than others. After shipping costs, however, the price per flange will still be less than what I paid for the galvanized flanges I used in testing. Their flanges are also made in the U.S.A., so that is a plus. Finally, they gave me good customer service via email, and I tend to pay more at a company with good customer service. {That reminds me, I have to switch banks.}
I will be placing a flange order with them later tonight. This means I am pretty much dedicated to making at least the plumbing pipe furniture that needs the flanges.
I always welcome your constructive criticism. Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.
While looking at the flanges available through Home Depot's website, a customer complained that he thought he was ordering a specific brand and was instead given a Chinese knockoff. I have also read some articles on line {so they have to be true, right? :::wink, wink:::} that Chinese flanges have less accurate threads. Also, my brother, the former gang member, would kill me if the parts weren't made in the U.S.A. My search took me to a company called MSC Direct.
MSC Direct isn't the least expensive place to get flanges; they are better than some and worse than others. After shipping costs, however, the price per flange will still be less than what I paid for the galvanized flanges I used in testing. Their flanges are also made in the U.S.A., so that is a plus. Finally, they gave me good customer service via email, and I tend to pay more at a company with good customer service. {That reminds me, I have to switch banks.}
I will be placing a flange order with them later tonight. This means I am pretty much dedicated to making at least the plumbing pipe furniture that needs the flanges.
I always welcome your constructive criticism. Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.
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