WHEN YOU NEED A PRECISE LOW PRESSURE MEASUREMENT, A CAPSULE GAUGE IS THE INSTRUMENT TO USE.

This post is all about choosing the right material for the valve you are needing. This post is part of a series.

If all you know about elbows is that you aren’t supposed to eat with them on the table, you are about to learn a few things

When I think about gate valves, I think about castle warfare.

This blog is going global. OK. Technically, since it is on the internet, it has always been worldwide. But this week, we are going to talk about globe valves.

Calibrating a thermometer is a simple, but necessary process, and here is how.

To learn how to protect a valve, we need to understand why do valves have cracks. So instead of increasing your risk of cracking a valve, you could actually increase the life of your valve and save money with your tool budget. Here are four common reasons for a cracked valve.

So you’ve got a pressure gauge and, just like the trophy bass you caught this spring, you want to mount it so that everyone can see.

Precision is the watchword when it comes to needle valves.

Since their introduction in the mid 1800's, pressure gauges have become the most common method of measuring pressure. The vast majority of these pressure gauges incorporate the Bourbon tube, socket and geared movement.

Thermowells come in many different lengths and materials.

So you need a ball valve. Are there any differences between the 304 vs 316 stainless steel?

So, let’s say you have a project that needs something to flow out but not in. It could be in a plumbing system, to keep contaminated water from seeping back into the clean water supply. Maybe you need to keep gasses from mixing in your welding torch. Or you are adding CO2 to your latest home brewing creation and you don’t want beer backing up in your lines.

Did you know that Direct Material sells much of the equipment brewers use? We can supply you what you need no matter what size of brewing operation you run, whether just for personal use, commercial use, brewing equipment resale or manufacturing of brew pots and setups.

Everyone loves a good diversion. For some, it’s a good book. For others, it’s a sappy romantic comedy. For industrial materials (water, oil, gas, solvents, etc.), it’s probably a three-way ball valve.

Our store carries all three types of thermometers, in multiple variations.

We carry an extensive selection of couplers and adaptors that are designed to help enable your ball valves and pressure gaugeswork properly together.

Getting snubbed doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, something called a “snubber” may be just what you need if you are measuring pressure in a system where pressure spikes and pulsation are a concern.

We've talked before about the variety of gauge face sizes available to you. Today, we are going to talk a little about the different styles of gauge connections and their various uses.

A 1/4” NPT CONNECTION SIZE DOESN’T HAVE THE 1/4” MEASUREMENTS WHERE YOU THINK THEY WOULD BE.

In this article, we’d like to talk about the exception to that rule, which is the ANSI class rating.

OK. You know you need a valve to complete your project, but if you aren’t a professional plumber or engineer, you might not be sure which will work the best. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the right valve.

The DuraChoice brand valves on DirectMaterial.com crack at 5 psi, in comparison to that company’s swing check valves, which open at 0.5 psi.

When you need a precise low pressure measurement, a capsule gauge is the instrument to use.

DESPITE SOUNDING INCREDIBLY SIMILAR, BALL AND GATE VALVES DIFFER IN A FEW KEY WAYS. CONSUMERS OFTEN GET CONFUSED AS TO WHAT THE ACTUAL DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO AND WHICH IS A BETTER FIT FOR THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. HERE WE WILL DISCUSS BOTH, WHAT THEY ARE AND WHAT NEEDS THEY BEST SERVE.

THIS IS THE 3 PIECE 1/2" VALVE WE WILL USE FOR OUR  HOME BREW POT PROJECT.

Nickel-plated brass is an underrated option when it comes to valves. Combining the high shine of stainless steel with nickel-plating adds some of the anti-corrosion properties at a cost similar to brass.

Do you know what a Y-Strainer is? If not, click here to find out.

The more testing done to a part, the better, right? But do you know what each of those markings means? In this article, we are going to take a look at the various certifications and approvals you might find on this and other industrial valves.

Oetiker Clamps are one of the best-selling accessory items we carry.

Lead-free brass replaces the lead with silicon, bismuth or mixed copper alloys, which help address those issues. DuraChoice began shipping its new lead-free brass ball valves in November of 2014.

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DirectMaterial.com offers NET 30 terms for customers who meet ...

There are a variety of pipe thread types that can be used in the world of fittings, valves, and threaded pipes but the two most popular in the United States are NPT and NPTF.

Bigger, oftentimes, does not mean better. In the industrial design and engineering world, products have consistently been shedding excess weight and unnecessary materials while increasing strength and durability.

To learn how to protect a valve, we need to understand why do valves have cracks. So instead of increasing your risk of cracking a valve, you could actually increase the life of your valve and save money with your tool budget. Here are four common reasons for a cracked valve.

Valves play an important role in controlling the passage of air or fluid through pipes or tubing, and it’s common to ignore them until something goes wrong. But proper valve maintenance can go a long way in preventing problems from occurring in the first place. Here are some tips to help you perform some simple but valuable valve maintenance.

Are the temperature sensors inside your equipment protected? If you have temperature sensors like thermocouples, thermistors or bimetal thermometers, you should protect them with a thermowell.

Are your valves failing? Valves can deteriorate or malfunction for many different reasons, some of which are human error. It's important to know why valve seats fail so you can avoid problems in the future.

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THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED.

Liquid filled pressure gauges are the cat’s pajamas. They are the bee’s knees. There are a number of reasons why they are fantastic.

Thank you again for a great 2015.

No, unfortunately this article will not be dealing with the effects of Thor’s hammer, though that is a topic well worth diving into. Today we will be looking at the kind of hammer effect that impacts industrial fluid applications.

Today we will be looking at magnetism and steel; and while we may not be taking the same approach that Walter Egan and Stevie Nicks did, we still enjoy their song. It is commonly known that SS304 grade or lower is magnetic and that SS316 is not. That being said, one question that comes up among some of our customers is whether our SS316 valves are magnetic or not?

Our two-piece ball valves are rock stars that are used in numerous applications. They are utilized in applications for hydraulics, oil and gas, food and beverage processing, water systems, and more. One question that we encounter with our customers across these industries is whether or not you should open a two-piece ball valve once it has been attached to the application.

Here at DirectMaterial.com we carry a variety of thermometers including bi-metal thermometers and glass industrial thermometers. The DuraChoice models have dial sizes in 3” or 5”, with stems ranging from 2 ½” to 9”. Thermometers are used in industries such as the food industry, beer brewing, refrigeration, A/C, processing, and many others. Today, we will look at why your thermometers fail and how you can protect them.

Most people have had that moment where they are asked how valves came to be. It can be a stressful, awkward conversation; but I am here today to tell you it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we will equip you with a few pointers that can guide you as you think about and explain the origin of valves.

Pressure gauges are a crucial piece of the industrial puzzle, yet they are often not managed in the most efficient way. Similar to valves, if you don’t use them correctly, there can be costly consequences.Gauges are used to measure pressure in industries such as brewing, food processing, petrochemical extraction and refining, scientific applications, and many others. This week we will be covering some ideas for how to choose and manage pressure gauges effectively.

In the world of valves, there are many different sizes, shapes, and colors. Two general types of valves that are commonly used in irrigation systems are shut off valves and control valves.

Valve maintenance is important. The lifespan of a valve depends on its ability to function as intended. If not cared for properly there can be many undesirable, costly, and even potentially dangerous consequences. Plus valves have feelings and need attention too; but I digress. Despite the wide variety of valves that exist, there are some simple, general, overarching tips for maintaining them.

Most valves, nipples, and fittings are designed to use Teflon tape to form a leak-free seal. However, depending on the products that you are using, some Teflon tapes work better than others.

If the pointer on your liquid filled pressure gauge has wandered away from reading 0 PSI, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. There is a way to reset it back to zero. Let’s go over how to do that.

When we are talking about strainers and filters, we are usually talking in terms of microns or mesh.

TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SHORT LENGTHS OF PIPE THREADED TO ATTACH FITTINGS AT BOTH ENDS. READY? “NIPPLE.”

THERE, I SAID IT. GET YOUR GIGGLES OUT OF THE WAY. THE FOURTH GRADER IN ALL OF US LOVES A WORD THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE DIRTY, BUT ISN’T.

Y-Strainersare an important tool for filtering unwanted particulates out of a line. You can use them for both liquids and gasses. They are most often used to protect more sensitive equipment like pumps, condensers, nozzles and turbines from particulates that may clog, or otherwise damage them.

Foot Valves offer clean, consistent flow

Full Port or Standard Port: What's right for you?

A needle valve is a valve with a small opening, or port, with a needle shaped plunger that allows a precise regulation of flow.

Making a brew pot is pretty simple as long as you have the right tools and hardware. After reading this article, you will understand the basics well enough to get started on your craft beer own project

A needle valve is a valve with a small opening, or port, with a needle shaped plunger that allows a precise regulation of flow.

Most full port valves are ball valves that come in several types of metals, such as brass or stainless steel.

DuraChoice gauges come in different face sizes, styles and materials.

DuraChoice’s lead-free ball valves use silicon brass C87600, which gives them good machinability and pressure tightness. As far as appearance goes, there is no appreciable difference between the lead-free brass and other brass parts.

If the pointer on your liquid filled pressure gauge has wandered away from reading 0 PSI, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. There is a way to reset it back to zero. Let’s go over how to do that.

Thermometers have one job: to provide accurate temperature readings. This is very important, especially for industries where incorrect temperature readings could endanger other people.

Are your valves failing? Valves can deteriorate or malfunction for many different reasons, some of which are human error. It's important to know why valve seats fail so you can avoid problems in the future.