Pipe threader

[theoldwizard1]

Homeowner/occasional use.

I was looking at the Harbor Freight set and of course the reviews are terrible.

The stuff I see on CL (mostly Ridgid) is beat to death and over priced.

Is there anything in the middle, up to 1½" that is worth buying or should I just pay for threading new pipe or rent a set when I need it ?

 

[metaldad]

As a homeowner, once you are done renovating, you'll rarely use a threader.
Have your pipe threaded at the hardware store.
1 1/2? kinda big for residential

 

[danski0224]

Can't beat the smaller Rothenberger set.

Don't waste your money on the HF power set.

Edit: Rothenberger Supertronic 1250

Used RIDGID dies are also an option, but they add up quick.

 

[thightower]

Ridgid is worth the money. Could buy one, then sell when you are done. But most plumbing supply store will thread for you.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

hmmm. I have the small ratcheting 1/2 to 1" HF threader and I love it! Works fantastic. Get some cutting oil and it will thread all day.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-to-1-inch-ratcheting-pipe-threader-set-94101.html

 

[brianpgriset]

I bought a like new set of the Ridgid 00 set with all the dies 1/4" to 1" for $110 on eBay. Keep scanning and you should be able to get a nice set for cheap. What do you need 1-1/2" for?

 

[jocool1585]

I also read the reviews about the HF threaded, but bought it anyway. I did about 40 sets of 3/4" threads last weekend and everything worked fine. The ratchet function and handle is kind of ****, but the tool gets the job done.

 

[ra42mario]

you have to remember most harbor freight shoppers probably cannot use the tool properly.

I know of a ton of people bashing the 12 ton shop press, but I know automotive repair shops that have used them daily for years.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought a like new set of the Ridgid 00 set with all the dies 1/4" to 1" for $110 on eBay. Keep scanning and you should be able to get a nice set for cheap. What do you need 1-1/2" for?

I'll keep watching CL and eBay for a decent Ridgid set. Do the threader have replaceable cutter ?

1½" is used on wash tubs and kitchen sinks. Old house have galvanized drain pipes. I have spliced a couple of 1½" pipes with Fernco coupling, but it would be nice to make a more "permanent" connection by cutting off the rotten end, re-threading and using a galvanized coupling and pipe.

 

[camarotoolman]

Used Rigids aren't that much on ebay, they fit in a flat rate box,sure shiping isn't to bad eighter. Big + is you can get replace cutters, can you relpacement HF? Plastic pipe has just about put Ridgid out of business.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

If you can find a set of RIDGID cheap used ... buy it and change the dies. The simple drop head style 1/2 to 11/2 should be relatively cheap and pretty much indestructible. I buy the stuff cheap all the time and put it right on our service vans and it works great.

Ron

 

[454ragtop]

Other pro brands like Reed are often cheaper used, less name recognition, so watch CL for those too. Some would even say they are better than Ridgid.
Jim

 

[turbowoodworker]

Can I ask a side question. Are the dies universal in construction from one manufacturer to the next? My Dad had a set with a ratchet that is now mine. He lent the tool out about 1963 and the neighbor returned it without the 3/4" die, the one I am likely to need the most. I don't know the manufacturer but was just wondering if they are interchangable.
Thanks.

 

['04 Cummins]

Can I ask a side question. Are the dies universal in construction from one manufacturer to the next? My Dad had a set with a ratchet that is now mine. He lent the tool out about 1963 and the neighbor returned it without the 3/4" die, the one I am likely to need the most. I don't know the manufacturer but was just wondering if they are interchangable.
Thanks.

If you mean the die-stock (part that holds the dies) then I would say no. The pictured HF threader for example, is much different than the Ridgid die-stock. Also, Ridgid has different die-stock drive sizes depending on the threader body being used. There are at least two different sizes that I have used.

As far as the dies themselves, there are two common pipe thread sizes, the tapered National Pipe Thread (NPT) and the straight National Standard free-fitting Straight Mechanical Pipe Thread (NPSM). The tapered threads are for joining and sealing, the straight threads are only for joining.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Thanks '04 Cummins. That answers it but brings up another question. I'll be using my dies (if I can find a replacement for my lost 3/4") for black pipe air lines. I did it all in my last garage with standard lengths from HD but I would like to be more flexible and having the threader and cutter would make for a better install. But what do you mean about joining AND sealing vs. joining? For air lines would there be a big difference? Again I have no idea what type my set is and didn't know there was a difference until you kindly pointed it out. Can you suggest a pipe sealer when I do get to the job?

 

['04 Cummins]

Thanks '04 Cummins. That answers it but brings up another question. I'll be using my dies (if I can find a replacement for my lost 3/4") for black pipe air lines. I did it all in my last garage with standard lengths from HD but I would like to be more flexible and having the threader and cutter would make for a better install. But what do you mean about joining AND sealing vs. joining? For air lines would there be a big difference? Again I have no idea what type my set is and didn't know there was a difference until you kindly pointed it out. Can you suggest a pipe sealer when I do get to the job?

You would use NPT (national pipe thread) for any piping for air/liquid. Also, teflon tape and/or pipe dope all threads.

NPT is far more common in my experience. I'm sure there are certain industries that use the straight thread, but in construction, everything is generally NPT. Being an electrician, I have used straight thread dies to make running threads before, but that would be a rarity and not at all useful for airline piping.

Your dies should say on them which type of threads they cut. (Ridgid dies say 3/4" NPT, for example, on the end of the die opposite the teeth).

 

[dirtydogintex]

Can I ask a side question. Are the dies universal in construction from one manufacturer to the next? My Dad had a set with a ratchet that is now mine. He lent the tool out about 1963 and the neighbor returned it without the 3/4" die, the one I am likely to need the most. I don't know the manufacturer but was just wondering if they are interchangable.
Thanks.

You prolly don't want to hear this but some die heads do, some don't.
The same's true for the dies themselves.

~~~~~~~

What are current uses for NPSM threads?
Once the NEC changed from conduit threads from NPSM to NPT eons ago I don't remember running across NPSM threads except on old stuff....

 

['04 Cummins]

What are current uses for NPSM threads?
Once the NEC changed from conduit threads from NPSM to NPT eons ago I don't remember running across NPSM threads except on old stuff....

As I said above, I have used them on occasion the make running threads or custom length short ******* that you can't make with taper dies. Otherwise, I don't know what other industry uses NPSM.

 

[turbowoodworker]

You guys are a great help. Thanks for the info and for the OP, sorry for the brief hijack.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

Turbo .... post a picture of the handle you have and I can check my shop if its RIDGID i might have a 3/4 die head for you ... problem is even rdigid has 2-3 different handle sizes.

Personally I would not use teflon tape .. if the threads are cut properly gray pipe dope is the best or black permatex is the best for this application and only put the compound on the pipe not in the fitting otherwise you will end up with globs of it in the filter driers. Also make sure you clean ALL with thinner to remove the cutting oil.

Buy Domestic pipe otherwise the foreign made pipe its not uncommon that you cut the threads and remove them when backing off the die.

Ron

 

['04 Cummins]

Buy Domestic pipe otherwise the foreign made pipe its not uncommon that you cut the threads and remove them when backing off the die.

+1 on this. One supply house was carrying Mexican-made RMC for a job I was doing and the threads kept breaking and getting chewed up when I would back the dies off. I hadn't even realized the pipe wasn't USA until I was trying to figure out wtf was going on. Needless to say, I started buying RMC elsewhere.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Hi Ron, thanks for the info. Unfortunately I can't easily post pics of the handle or dies as they are in storage as my garage is going up. I'll try to get to the farm and drag 'em out but that may be an ordeal. But thanks for the offer. I'm learning so much on this forum.
The reason I asked about pipe sealer was I used teflon tape on my last garage and I was never confident that there was no leakage. I was always careful to turn off compressor when finished at the end of the day but I would like to feel better about even tiny leaks this time around. Thanks. Rick

 

[Poundcake]

I can tell you for a fact that PT is the best mid-priced alternative to Ridgid and Rothenberger Pipe threaders.
http://www.ridgid300parts.com/manual-pipe-threader/