Socket weld connection / use of contraction ring

(1) “Socket welds that once took 15 minutes or more to fit-up now take just seconds”

(2) “Get Proper Socket Weld Fit-Up In One-Tenth The Time!”

(3) “Cut fit-up time by up to 90%”

(4) “Gap-A-Let® is a split ring that is engineered and designed to give you a pre-measured 1/16" minimum gap for socket welds.”

(5) “And since the costly problem of cracked welds due to improper gap is practically eliminated, your pipes can safely transport fluids the first time and every time.”


These five statements all came from the “Gap-O-Let” web site. And they all sound so wonderful. Wow! Why didn’t I think of that? Then you start thinking about it and you realize it is not all it is touted to be.

Statement 1, 2 & 3 all relate to this magnificent time savings. Time is money so there must be a real cost savings, Right? Well, wait a minute. Why don’t you ask the pipe fitter if this is really a time saver? He (or she) has to get these things and have a way to carry them and not drop them when up in the pipe rack in a blowing sand or snow storm wearing gloves. The welder has completed half the welds, dropped the rings for the other welds (they are now buried in the snow) so that now means a trip back to the warehouse for some more of those little ringy things. I don’t think so.

Statement 4 & 5 both address the “Gap” required by the Code. Now if you start out with a “Gap” and then you put a Stainless Steel Ring in that gap then you no longer have a “Gap” You are no longer in compliance with the Code or the Project criteria.

My bottom line here is this: It is very clever way to “Hood-Wink” people into buying a product that sounds too good to be true. In fact it is not true.