Paddle Spacers Manufacturer

Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures paddle spacers (spacer rings / spade spacers) — open-bore plate spacers with a protruding handle that are bolted between two flanges to keep the line open and bridge the flange gap. A paddle spacer is the matching counterpart of a spade blank: the spade (solid) isolates the line, and the spacer (open bore) restores full flow — the two are swapped at a flanged joint as the “closed” and “open” positions. Made to ASME B16.48 in A105, SS 304/316/321, Duplex, Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy. Class 150 to 2500, PN1 to PN400. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Made in India.

Open-Bore Spacer Pairs with a Spade Plate + Handle ASME B16.48 Class 150–2500 · PN1–PN400 A105 / SS 316 / Monel / Inconel RF / RTJ Facing ISO 9001:2015

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Paddle Spacers A105 SS 304 316 321 Inconel Monel

Paddle Spacer (Spacer Ring)

What Is a Paddle Spacer?

Definition: A Paddle Spacer — also called a spacer ring or spade spacer — is an open-bore (ring-shaped) plate with a protruding handle (tab) that is bolted between two pipe flanges. It is the “open” counterpart of a spade blank: its bore is the full pipe diameter, so flow passes through unrestricted, and it simply fills the flange gap and keeps the joint spaced correctly when the line is meant to be in service. A spade and a paddle spacer are made as a matched pair (a spade-and-spacer set) of identical outline, the same bolt-circle and handle, so during a shutdown the crew removes the open spacer and inserts the solid spade to positively isolate the line — then reverses it to return to service. When a solid disc and an open ring are joined by a web instead, they form a one-piece figure-8 spectacle blind.

Paddle spacers are core line-isolation hardware paired with spades for plant turnarounds and safe work. Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures paddle spacers, spade blanks, ring spacers, and line blanks to ASME B16.48 in the full material range — dimensioned per the tables below.

Paddle Spacer vs Spade Blank vs Spectacle Blind

Item	Bore	Function
Paddle Spacer (spacer ring)	Open bore (full pipe ID)	Keeps the line open & the flange gap filled — the “open” position
Spade Blank (paddle blind)	Solid (no bore)	Blanks/isolates the line — the “closed” position
Spectacle Blind	One solid + one open, joined by a web	Both functions in one part — flip to open or isolate

A paddle spacer and a spade blank are the two halves of the job as separate plates (used on larger lines where a one-piece spectacle blind would be too heavy); a spectacle blind combines both into a single figure-8 plate for smaller lines.

How a Paddle Spacer Is Used

Normal service: The open-bore spacer sits between the flanges so the line flows freely and the flange gap and bolt length match the spade set.

Shutdown: Depressurise and drain the line, then loosen and spread the flanges to free the spacer.

Swap to the spade: Remove the open spacer and insert the matching solid spade with gaskets to positively isolate the line for the work.

Return to service: After the work, remove the spade and re-fit the open paddle spacer to restore full-bore flow.

Bolt up & test: Re-bolt, torque evenly, and pressure-test the joint before re-commissioning.

Paddle Spacer Specifications

Paddle Spacers are available in the following specifications:
Size	1/2"NB to 56"NB
Class	150#, 300#, 3000#, 6000#, 9000#
Sch (Schedule)	XS, XXS, STD & Schedule 20, 40, 80, 160
Pressure Ratings	PN 1 - PN 400
Stainless Steel Paddle Spacers	ASTM A 182 F - 304 / 304H / 304L / 316 / 316H / 316L / 316Ti, 309, 310, 317L, 321, 347, 904L
Duplex Steel Paddle Spacers	ASTM A 182 - F 51, F 53, F 55
Alloy Steel Paddle Spacers	ASTM A 182 - F5, F9, F11, F21, F22 & F91
Carbon Steel Paddle Spacers	ASTM A 105
Low Temp. Carbon Steel Paddle Spacers (LTCS Orifice Flanges Flanges)	A 350 LF2
Copper Nickel (Cu-Ni) Paddle Spacers	C70600, 90/10, C71500, 70/30, C71640
Nickel Paddle Spacers	UNS N02200, UNS N02201
Monel Paddle Spacers	UNS N04400, UNS N05500, Alloy 20
Inconel Paddle Spacers	UNS N06600, UNS N06601, UNS N06625, UNS N08800, UNS N08810, UNS N08825
Hastelloy Paddle Spacers	UNS N10276, UNS N06022, UNS N10665, UNS N06455
Titanium Paddle Spacers	Gr. 1, Gr. 2, Gr. 3, DTH 3.7035, DTH 3.7055
Other Services	Hot Dip Galvanized (GI) Paddle Spacers Sand Blasting on Paddle Spacers Shot Peening on Paddle Spacers Epoxy Coating on Paddle Spacers FBE Coating on Paddle Spacers

Paddle Spacer Dimensions (ASME B16.48)

Spade and Paddle Spacer Dimension Diagram

Spade & Paddle Dimension Diagram

Dimension note: paddle spacer dimensions are set by ASME B16.48 for each pressure class — the ring outside diameter sits inside the bolt circle, the bore matches the pipe ID, and the handle (tab) projects beyond the flange OD. Tables below give the dimensions by pressure class; tell us the NPS, class, and facing for exact data.

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 150 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
	A	C	t	W
1/2	45	126	3	32
3/4	54	131	3	32
1	64	136	3	32
1.1/4	73	145	6.4	32
1.1/2	83	145	6.4	32
2	102	155	6.4	32
2.1/2	107	170	6.4	32
3	133	170	6.4	32
3.1/2	159	202	9.7	38
4	172	202	9.7	38
5	194	225	9.7	38
6	219	225	12.7	38
8	276	267	12.7	38
10	337	322	15.7	44
12	406	357	19.1	44
14	448	378	19.1	44
16	511	410	22.4	44
18	546	427	25.4	51
20	603	455	28.4	51
24	714	512	31.8	51

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 300 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	51	129	6.4	32
3/4	64	136	6.4	32
1	70	139	6.4	32
1.1/4	79	150	6.4	32
1.1/2	92	150	6.4	32
2	108	158	9.7	32
2.1/2	127	177	9.7	32
3	146	177	9.7	32
3.1/2	162	205	12.7	38
4	178	205	12.7	38
5	213	240	15.7	38
6	248	240	15.7	38
8	305	281	22.4	38
10	359	333	25.4	44
12	419	363	28.4	44
14	483	395	31.8	44
16	536	422	38.1	44
18	594	450	41.1	51
20	651	480	44.5	51
24	772	540	50.8	51

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 600 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	51	129	6.4	32
3/4	64	136	6.4	32
1	70	139	6.4	32
1.1/4	79	150	9.7	32
1.1/2	92	150	9.7	32
2	108	158	9.7	32
2.1/2	127	177	12.7	32
3	146	177	12.7	32
3.1/2	159	211	15.7	38
4	191	211	15.7	38
5	238	248	19.1	38
6	264	248	22.4	38
8	318	288	28.4	38
10	397	352	35.1	44
12	454	381	41.1	44
14	489	398	44.5	44
16	562	435	50.8	44
18	610	459	53.8	51
20	679	493	63.5	51
24	787	547	73.2	51

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 900 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	60	134	6.4	32
3/4	67	137	6.4	32
1	76	142	6.4	32
1.1/4	86	151	9.7	32
1.1/2	95	151	9.7	32
2	140	174	12.7	32
2.1/2	162	186	12.7	32
3	165	186	15.7	32
4	203	217	19.1	38
5	244	259	22.4	38
6	286	259	25.4	38
8	356	307	35.1	38
10	432	370	41.1	44
12	495	401	47.8	44
14	518	412	53.8	44
16	572	440	60.5	44
18	635	471	66.5	51
20	696	501	73.2	51
24	835	571	88.9	51

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 1500 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	61	135	6.4	32
3/4	67	137	9.7	32
1	76	142	9.7	32
1.1/4	86	151	9.7	32
1.1/2	95	151	12.7	32
2	140	174	12.7	32
2.1/2	162	190	15.7	32
3	172	190	19.1	32
4	206	219	22.4	38
5	251	256	28.4	38
6	279	256	35.1	38
8	349	303	41.1	38
10	432	370	50.8	44
12	518	412	60.5	44
14	575	442	66.5	44
16	638	472	76.2	44
18	702	504	85.9	51
20	752	530	95.3	51
24	899	603	111.3	51

Paddle Spacer Dimensions — Pressure Class 2500 (ASME B16.48)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	67	137	9.7	32
3/4	73	140	9.7	32
1	83	145	9.7	32
1.1/4	102	161	12.7	32
1.1/2	114	161	15.7	32
2	143	175	15.7	32
2.1/2	165	201	19.1	32
3	194	201	22.4	32
4	232	232	28.4	38
5	276	273	35.1	38
6	314	273	41.1	38
8	384	321	53.8	38
10	473	390	66.5	44
12	546	427	79.2	44

Why Choose Tesco Paddle Spacers?

🔄 Matched to the Spade

Same outline, bolt-circle, and handle as the spade blank, so the open spacer and solid spade interchange perfectly during a shutdown.

🌊 Full-Bore Flow

The bore matches the pipe ID, so the spacer keeps the line fully open with no flow restriction when in service.

📐 ASME B16.48

Made to ASME B16.48 line-blank dimensions for the full Class 150–2500 range, with RF or RTJ facings.

🧬 Full Material Range

A105, LTCS, SS 304/316/321, Duplex, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Copper-Nickel, and Titanium.

🏷 Stamped & Marked

Handles stamped with size, rating, and material for clear identification and safe blind-list control.

📝 To Standard or Drawing

Manufactured to ASME B16.48 or your drawing, certified with EN 10204 3.1 MTC.

Material Selection Guide

Material	Properties	Typical Use
A105 Carbon Steel / A350 LF2 (LTCS)	Strong, economical; LF2 for low temp	Non-corrosive & low-temperature lines
SS 304 / 316 / 321	Good corrosion resistance; 321 high-temp	Process, chemical & high-temperature lines
Duplex 2205 / Super Duplex 2507	High strength & chloride resistance	Seawater & offshore service
Monel 400 / Inconel	Excellent in HF, marine & high-temp	HF, seawater & high-temperature lines
Hastelloy / Copper-Nickel / Titanium	Superior corrosion resistance	Aggressive chemical & marine service

⚠ Match the spacer to its spade, flange facing & gaskets: A paddle spacer must share the same class, outline, bolt-circle, and facing (RF/RTJ) as its spade and the flanges so the pair interchange and seal correctly. Use the right gaskets, depressurise and drain before swapping plates, and keep a controlled blind list so every spade and spacer is accounted for during a shutdown.

Industry Applications

Industry	Typical Use	Why Paddle Spacer
Oil & Gas	Open position in spade & spacer sets	Full-bore flow; matched to the spade
Refinery & Petrochemical	Turnaround line blinding kits	Interchanges with the spade; full material range
Power Generation	Boiler & steam-line spacing	SS 321 high-temperature service
Chemical Plants	Corrosive-line spacer rings	Monel / Inconel / Hastelloy
Pipelines	Open position at isolation points	High-class, full-bore spacer
Pharmaceutical / Process	Equipment isolation kits	Clean SS plates; clear marking
Offshore & Marine	Topside line spacing	Duplex / alloy corrosion resistance
Water & Utilities	Maintenance blinding kits	Economical open-bore spacer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a paddle spacer?

A paddle spacer (spacer ring) is an open-bore plate with a protruding handle that is bolted between two pipe flanges to keep the line open and fill the flange gap. It is the open counterpart of a spade blank — the spade isolates the line and the spacer restores full flow, the two being swapped at a flanged joint as the closed and open positions.

Q2. What is the difference between a paddle spacer and a spade blank?

A spade blank is solid (no bore) and blanks the line — the “closed” position. A paddle spacer has an open bore equal to the pipe and keeps the flange gap when flow is wanted — the “open” position. They are a matched pair with identical outline, bolt-circle, and handle so the crew swaps one for the other to isolate or restore the line.

Q3. Why is a paddle spacer needed if the line is just open?

When the spade is removed the flange gap and bolt length must still be filled and aligned, and the joint must stay properly spaced and sealed. The paddle spacer does this — it is the same thickness and outline as the spade with an open bore, so the bolting and gaskets stay the same whether the line is open (spacer) or isolated (spade).

Q4. How does a paddle spacer differ from a spectacle blind?

A spectacle blind joins a solid disc and an open ring with a web into one figure-8 part — you flip it to isolate or open. A paddle spacer and spade do the same job as two separate plates, used on larger lines where a one-piece spectacle blind would be too heavy. Function is the same; the difference is two-piece vs one-piece.

Q5. What standard and dimensions apply to paddle spacers?

Paddle spacers and spades are made to ASME B16.48 (line blanks) for Class 150 to 2500, dimensioned to the matching ASME B16.5 flange. The ring outside diameter sits inside the bolt circle, the bore matches the pipe ID, and the handle projects beyond the flange OD. The tables on this page give dimensions by pressure class.

Q6. What is the difference between a paddle spacer and a ring spacer?

Both are open-bore spacers. A paddle spacer has a protruding handle (tab) like the spade it pairs with, for easy handling and identification; a ring spacer is a plain ring without the handle. They serve the same function; the choice depends on whether a handle is wanted and the set it pairs with.

Q7. What materials are paddle spacers made from?

Carbon steel (A105) and LTCS (A350 LF2), stainless steels (304/316/321 and others), Duplex (F51/F53/F55), alloy steels, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Copper-Nickel, and Titanium — matched to the line material, fluid, and temperature, and to the spade it pairs with.

Q8. Can paddle spacers be supplied to our drawing and certified?

Yes. We supply paddle spacers, spades, and ring spacers to ASME B16.48 or your drawing — size, class, facing, material, and handle marking — with EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates on request. Send your line details and service conditions for a quote.

'SHAPING INDUSTRIES WITH THE FINEST STEEL'