Craigslist to the rescue!

[C96]

Well, I won’t have to thread the pipe by hand now!

I’ve been wanting to run a new black pipe air line in my garage for a while and install a couple hose reels. I’ve decided to run the main line with 1” branching off with 3//4” and using 1/2” for the drops. I already have a Ridgid ratcheting hand threader with 1/2" and 3/4" dies along with a Ridgid chain vise I bought years ago. Although dreading to hand thread 1” pipe, I thought to check Craigslist for a 1” die. Well, to my surprise, I found an old Ridgid 400A power threader that included a 31A tri die which has the 1/2, 3/4 and 1” dies all combined in one. I called the guy, he said it was just sitting in an old shed and he had no use for it, $75 would get it. Since it was only about 20 min. away, I jumped in my truck and picked it up. When I got it home, I just had to try threading a scrap pipe. Worked great, couldn’t believe how fast it did the job and how simple to operate. This thing is quite heavy duty, seems indestructible. Although it needs a good cleaning, it worked perfectly. The dies seem in good shape as well, just been sitting a long time. I’m very happy since I won’t have to thread all the pipe by hand, or rely on some kid at Home Depot to make the custom *******…Lol.

 

[RivennHewn]

Score!

 

[C96]

Anybody know how old this machine is? Cant seem to find much info on it. Think its worth doing a restoration, or just use as is and call it a day?

 

[Farmall450]

That's awesome.

 

[bluebolt]

Anybody know how old this machine is? Cant seem to find much info on it. Think its worth doing a restoration, or just use as is and call it a day?

I have too many car projects to pretty up a tool for a working envirement LOL. Make sure it gets the cleaning and maintenance it needs and get some other projects done first.

Congrats on the black pipe air setup I did it my garage and it made a huge difference. I planned it to use 10 foot pieces without any cutting and rethreading. Water is all but eliminated for my beadblaster cabinet.

 

[BearCuda]

Killer score,that things a beast!

 

[Alchymist]

Cool tool. But I didn't see any oil on that pipe you threaded - you need to keep cutting oil on the dies when it's cutting.

 

[Rogue1987]

you ****

 

[KRB52]

Anybody know how old this machine is? Cant seem to find much info on it. Think its worth doing a restoration, or just use as is and call it a day?

Restoration is for museums. Tools are for work. Use it as is, maybe clean it up and some maintenance. Nice find.

 

[metal1313]

thats a sweet deal, i have threaded thousands of 1/2, 3/4, and 1in pipe connections by hand. after a while you get used to it, but the 400 is a good machine and will make life so much easier. plus you can cut the pipe under power, deburr, and thread in 2-3 mins.

 

[bigcaddy]

thats a sweet deal, i have threaded thousands of 1/2, 3/4, and 1in pipe connections by hand. after a while you get used to it, but the 400 is a good machine and will make life so much easier. plus you can cut the pipe under power, deburr, and thread in 2-3 mins.

I agree! I've been fabricating pipe in the fire sprinkler industry for 16 years now and you cut a nice clean thread.

The most versatile machine, for portable pipe fab, is the 300. The 400 is for shop use. Just be happy you didn't end up with a 500. Those things are dogs. We have tons of rigid pipe machines at the office and the 500s are ignored at every chance

 

[C96]

I agree! I've been fabricating pipe in the fire sprinkler industry for 16 years now and you cut a nice clean thread.


Thanks for the complement, but the machine did all the work. I was impressed too, especialy since it was cheap Home Depot black pipe, China I think….Lol

I’m looking forward to start the piping system and getting the reels up. Getting tired of having to drag out air hoses all the time and worse yet, rolling them back up to put away. Only thing is, before I can get started, I must at the very least put a dent in my “Honey do List”, Yea, you know the one….Lol

Any suggestions on hose reels? I currently have an older Reelcraft (not installed yet) with a 3/8” X 35’ hose that will work for the rear of the garage and out the back door when I work outside on a portable table. I would like another for the front of the garage with a 3/8” X 50’ hose for working on cars in the drive area. Any recommendations? I have a Home Depot, Lowes and Harbor Freight in my area. They all seem to have similar reels.

 

[malibu101]

Best of luck with your project!

I think I only said this once before, but here I go- You ****!

There is one of those machines in the plumbing shop where I work. That thing is way old, still gets used real hard very often, and performs perfectly.
When you subtract the cost you would get for scrapping that heavy monster if it died after a few runs, you paid almost nothing! Plus the threader thrown in the mix-
You really ****!

 

[OccupantRJ]

Good find! I just finished my piping by hand threading, and it was a lot of work. A machine would have been real nice.

Here's my piping layout.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227948

 

[t4runner]

Nothing like a tool that makes a job easier. Nice score

 

[Zeke]

You don't need to cut back any further than the outside diameter of the pipe.

 

[BigMike782]

High level of suckage sir!

Be sure to use plenty of cutting oil....it's cheap compared to a set of replacement dies.
I was lucky that when I plumbed my shop for air I worked at a hardware store and I could cut and thread all the pipe there.I was taught to ream the inside after cutting.