HF Portable Electric Pipe Threader

600SL · Dec 27, 2014

Anyone have any experience withy the HF portable Electric Pipe Threader. I just got one and I'm finding after about 6 threads the cutting is really starting to ****.

1) Thread cut is to shallow, fittings don't screw on far enough.

2) Threads are starting to be all chipped after about 6 cuts.

3) Does anyone know if a Ridged cutters or complete die head will fit in this unit.

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

Not familiar with this unit but sounds like it isn't adjusted properly for the dies.

I use a massive old ridgid at work and it is a bit of trial and error to get it right. The line for 3/4 doesn't really equate to where it should be with the 3/4 die.

600SL · Dec 27, 2014

MagnumForce said:
Not familiar with this unit but sounds like it isn't adjusted properly for the dies.

I use a massive old ridgid at work and it is a bit of trial and error to get it right. The line for 3/4 doesn't really equate to where it should be with the 3/4 die.

Are the ridged cutters adjustable. These do not appear to be. If I can shill the cutters in ~0.005" they should at least cut deep enough.

dowmace · Dec 27, 2014

I would take it back, I've used one and while it's not the best I've ever used it did work without chewing up threads and cut deep enough for proper thread engagement.

What cutting oil are you using? One dry cut could easily destroy the cutters on it.

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

600SL said:
Are the ridged cutters adjustable. These do not appear to be. If I can shill the cutters in ~0.005" they should at least cut deep enough.

Fully adjustable. As I said, I am not familiar with the HF unit.

600SL · Dec 27, 2014

I'm using Home Depot pipe cutting Oil. I believe its OAT brand

I just did a few adjustments with brass shims. I calculated to get 0.25" more thread engagement I would need 0.008" shim behind each blade. I started out with 0.006" 4 layers of 0.0015 brass shim stock. I threaded a new piece of pipe and got 3 turns by hand with a new fitting. Ridged recommends 3 to 4 turns if you don't have a thread gauge. The thread also came out reasonably clean and I believe that may have been because the die was freshly cleaned form the shimming process.

The pictures show the new thread cut and a fitting screwed on 3 turns by hand. I also included a picture of the leaking fitting where you can see next to no thread engagement. I will take this pipe out and re do it.

I think if I make sure the die is cleaned in between threads I should be OK.

Once again like a lot of Harbor Freight tools they require some adjustment. But for $153 delivered vs $1300 for a Ridged 600-1 kit its still a steel. Also looking at the Ridged R-11 die heads it looks like they will fit. I may try to pick up a Rigid die head Monday.

Thanks for the replies.

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

Looks good.

This is what I use.

theoldwizard1 · Dec 27, 2014

The quality is very "hit and miss". So dies are decent, some are junk.

By the extended warranty. You WILL need it !

jeffmoss26 · Dec 27, 2014

Magnum Force, that is a very nice machine. Did you restore/paint it?

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

It's at work, not really restored just new paint. Nothing to restore it is built like a tank and bullet proof. Die changes take about 4 hands though.

jeffmoss26 · Dec 27, 2014

I used one like that at the hardware store in high school. Model 535 if I remember correctly.

Kracin · Dec 27, 2014

jeffmoss26 said:
I used one like that at the hardware store in high school. Model 535 if I remember correctly.

got similar ones at work, unfortunately just like any place we have gorillas using the tools and equipment, so the reamer is bent off center by about a half an inch, half the dies are missing, and the other dies have bad teeth from people not using enough oil. so i just do the next best thing and throw a manual threader onto it while using the machine to turn it. works like a charm.

i liked my previous jobs threader more, had automatic oiling from a reservoir, you couldn't underoil it unless you pointed the oil backwards, it was almost a half a gallon of oil per cut it seemed it (at least it recirculated!)

both ridgid, hard to beat ridgid pipe threaders

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

Yes, Ridgid 535. Reamer has been broken off ours for at least 15 years. A lot of air and gas lines to put up in 150k Sq ft robotic weld shop.

This has an auto oiler that recirculates, can't tell the last time it needed oil or maintenance, if ever.

BD1 · Dec 27, 2014

The pipe you are using could impact the threading. The cheap Mexico or China pipe from the big box stores can be hit and miss too. Neighbor brought some over for me to cut and thread. I have a RIDGID 300 setup and a 400. This shlt was so hard it kept chewing up the threads. I finally got enough good threads but it was a real pain. Maybe try a local pipe supplier with made in USA pipe .
You would think made in China tool and made in China pipe would be compatible. :dunno:

Kracin · Dec 27, 2014

BD1 said:
The pipe you are using could impact the threading. The cheap Mexico or China pipe from the big box stores can be hit and miss too. Neighbor brought some over for me to cut and thread. I have a RIDGID 300 setup and a 400. This shlt was so hard it kept chewing up the threads. I finally got enough good threads but it was a real pain. Maybe try a local pipe supplier with made in USA pipe .
You would think made in China tool and made in China pipe would be compatible.

theres a difference in cutting dies as well. high quality dies will leave a good thread, cheap ones will tear it more than cut it and you'll end up having a tougher time threading things and making them seal

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

We have quite a bit of offshore pipe in the plant and I have never noticed a difference threading it. I think plenty of oil is the key and then some loctite thread sealant. 575 I think? I have put up literally miles of 1/2, 3/4, 1 inch and 3 inch pipe at the plant and have never had an issue. No steam though, all air and weld gas.

Kracin · Dec 27, 2014

MagnumForce said:
We have quite a bit of offshore pipe in the plant and I have never noticed a difference threading it. I think plenty of oil is the key and then some loctite thread sealant. 575 I think? I have put up literally miles of 1/2, 3/4, 1 inch and 3 inch pipe at the plant and have never had an issue. No steam though, all air and weld gas.

i guess it just depends on how often your people buy different material... i've seen thailand, india, china, indonesia, all sorts of metal COO. the ones that piss me off is the square tube, sometimes you'll get a batch of square tube with hard spots in them. the second you hit them with a hand drill and bit, BAM knocked the edge off your bit and won't drill worth a damn til its sharpened or a new bit is used. and even then it sometimes messes up new bits right away

AA/FC · Dec 27, 2014

I was in my local HF the other day and noticed two of those portable pipe threading tools on the clearance table. Both of them looked like they had been used and then returned to the store. Who knows why.....

theoldwizard1 · Dec 27, 2014

MagnumForce said:
It's at work, not really restored just new paint. Nothing to restore it is built like a tank and bullet proof. Die changes take about 4 hands though.

Never seen one that looked that good except at a HD that had just opened !

theoldwizard1 · Dec 27, 2014

Using a Harbor Freight portable power pipe threader.

Using a Harbor Freight portable power pipe threader - part 2

600SL · Dec 27, 2014

MagnumForce said:
Looks good.

This is what I use.

Definitely could have used that. Job is going smoothly now. I don't regret getting the harbor Freight unit. I could have rented one similar to the one your using for about $150 a day or $250 for a week with dies. But as it turns out doing this by myself and having to go back and forth for fittings is making this a week long project. I have used those big machines they are nice.

MagnumForce · Dec 27, 2014

theoldwizard1 said:
Never seen one that looked that good except at a HD that had just opened !

Sprayed it down with degreaser, wiped it off, slapped paint on it. Done in 30 mins. It is a pretty old unit, I'd say 60 or 70s.

600SL · Dec 27, 2014

BD1 said:
The pipe you are using could impact the threading. The cheap Mexico or China pipe from the big box stores can be hit and miss too. Neighbor brought some over for me to cut and thread. I have a RIDGID 300 setup and a 400. This shlt was so hard it kept chewing up the threads. I finally got enough good threads but it was a real pain. Maybe try a local pipe supplier with made in USA pipe .
You would think made in China tool and made in China pipe would be compatible.

My pipe was made in Oman. Seams to be reasonable once I got the dies under control. My fittings are Ward which I believe is genuine USA. It is in the best interest for Oman to make good pipe with all the oil rigs they must supply.

600SL · Dec 28, 2014

AA/FC said:
I was in my local HF the other day and noticed two of those portable pipe threading tools on the clearance table. Both of them looked like they had been used and then returned to the store. Who knows why.....

Mine just crapped out on day 3. Looks like a power chord problem. Will fix, finish the job and return.

600SL · Dec 31, 2014

OK I have now completed most of the job. 156 ft of perimeter 3/4" black iron pipe. Threaded installed and leak checked. Still need to install 5 1/2" drops and one overhead line to the lifts.

Problem with the power chord was that all 4 chord screws were loose and one actually fell out and was found in the handle. So after shimming the dies and tightening the chord I now have a very functional threading tool.

HF Portable Electric Pipe Threader

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