Pipe Threader Question

[lowcountrygamecock]

Ok I bought some 1/2 black pipe from home depot and cut it down to the size I needed. Now I need to thread one end of it. We have a ridgid threader at work with a 1/2 die and a 3/4 die that I was going to borrow to thread it. The problem is the 1/2 is too small and the 3/4 is way too big. The pipe hits the base of the cutting bit inside the 1/2 die before it even gets to the part that will thread it. Anybody familiar with that ridgid pipe threader? I thought it might just be the wrong size die but every set I looked at has 1/2 and 3/4 and nothing in between so I imagine it's something I'm doing. Any help?

 

[jerryd68]

Is the rigid thread the hand type or a powered unit, all the powered ones that I have ever used are adjustable, the hand type the cutting dies are set in place.

 

[maddawg1952]

is it a bolt die? or a pipe die? Ridgid makes both

 

[lowcountrygamecock]

It's a ratching system. Not sure if it's a bolt die or a pipe die but they told me they use it for threading pipe so I assume it's a pipe die. If you go to home depot.com and search for ridgid 1/2 inch pipe threader a pic of the die will show up.

 

[maddawg1952]

does it say NPT on it or does it say 1/2-13 3/4-11 on it anywhere? 1/2" npt(nominal pipe thread) is 14 threads to the inch 1/2"bolt is 13, 1/2" pipe is id(inside diameter) and 1/2 bolt is od(outside diameter). how did you cut the pipe? it may have swelled if you used a pipe cutter and squeezed it real hard, try beveling the end of the pipe see if it fits in the die.

 

[turnpikecrusier]

File the end of the pipe you are going to thread, sometimes when cutting with a pipe cutter the end swells.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

That's why I buy from my local "mom & pop" hardware! They will cut and thread the pipe to my specification at no additional charge.

Jim

 

[thinktwicez71]

make sure the cutting teeth in the die are pushed all the way out !

 

[dlewis]

Got a pic of the die head your using.

 

[lowcountrygamecock]

I filed the end already because it had a small burr on it. From looking at it there's no way it swelled that much. It looks like someone else said that the die cutting teeth are too far in. Are those adjustable? I can get a picture of it but I don't know how to post pictures.

 

[mwshelgren]

I may be stating the obvious but are you inserting the pipe into the die from the right end on the 1/2" die? The die is tapered so it will only accept the pipe from one end.

 

[hh76]

Are the dies adjusted correctly? Is the end of the pipe mushroomed? If you have a 1/2" pipe, and 1/2" threader, it should work if used correctly.

How about some pics

 

[hh76]

I filed the end already because it had a small burr on it. From looking at it there's no way it swelled that much. It looks like someone else said that the die cutting teeth are too far in. Are those adjustable? I can get a picture of it but I don't know how to post pictures.

Some are, some aren't. Do you have pics, or a model number.

 

[motorcycle79]

I may be stating the obvious but are you inserting the pipe into the die from the right end on the 1/2" die? The die is tapered so it will only accept the pipe from one end.

This is my guess also

 

[lowcountrygamecock]

Yes I made sure I inserted it correctly. It may be the die because the cutters are slid in more than on any of the other size dies. The rest are flush with the outside but this one isn't.

 

[FrankieD]

I don't suppose you could ask the guy at work that uses this threader to thread your length of pipe for you? At the very least show you how to use it.

 

[koditten]

Pics would be nice.

I'm with the pipe cutter puckered the end crowd. I've had to take my angle grinder to the 1/2" pipe to get it to start properly.

 

[Dale Leeds]

Pics would be nice.

I'm with the pipe cutter puckered the end crowd. I've had to take my angle grinder to the 1/2" pipe to get it to start properly.

I go along with this. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the end is swollen just by looking at it. All the ones we had on my last job were adjustable. And you have to start it into the tapered end.

 

[RickP]

If you bought it from Home Depot, they'll usually cut and thread it for you in the store. If you bring your receipt in, they might still do it for you. I'm not sure if every store has a pipe threading machine -- I've been to at least 3 HD stores in Maryland that do have them.

 

[lowcountrygamecock]

I checked it out again a few minutes ago. I thought we were onto something because the die cutters are numbered and only one was in the correct slot. We moved them around to the matching numbers but one of the cutters still looks like its not aligned properly. All the other size dies look different and the one that looks mis aligned is the one that's bumping on the end of the die if that makes any sense. I'll check with the other guy monday and see what he thinks.

 

[BD1]

To set dies just screw a threaded ****** into it and tighten screws. It does take some pushing effort to get started. Make sure you use thread cutting oil too.

 

[Jackfre]

To set dies just screw a threaded ****** into it and tighten screws. It does take some pushing effort to get started. Make sure you use thread cutting oil too.

We have a winner! I've always used a factory cut ****** to set dies. They can be hard to start, especially with the hand ratchet units.

 

[saabman]

An NPT die, will have tapered threads. Make sure the die is set correctly in the ratchet (big end towards pipe)

 

[metaldad]

Do you mean one of these?

or this?

or this?

 

[rodm1]

I'm thinking you are inserting the pipe in the wrong end of die. If your die is the top photo the silver ring is your depth stop, the end of pipe will be flush with it when done. The die's can be reversed in order to thread up to a wall.

You should get 3 to 4 turns after hand tight for a properly threaded pipe. Most factory pipe is shorter for fitting.

pipe threading
http://www.ridgid.com/ASSETS/01D75C4...ader_Instr.pdf

 

[pablo21]

An NPT die, will have tapered threads. Make sure the die is set correctly in the ratchet (big end towards pipe)

My thoughts exactly, I've made that mistake before myself, and I use to do it for a living .

I'd suggest having a look to see if the dies are tapered first and taking it from there

 

[NUTTSGT]

I just posted this picture in another thread but I'll post it here too. When I threaded my pipe for my airline, I used an old 3/4 bit to ream out the inside of the pipe. Then I put a taper on the outside with a 4.5 grinder and sanding disc.