Threading 1-1/2" (1.5") galvanized pipe... best options?

[All]

I'd like to be able to cut and thread 1 1/2" galvanized pipe on an occasional basis. This will be used pipe, so free threading from the big box stores is not an option. It will not be used for plumbing... just bars and railings.

It would be nice to have this threading capability on an ongoing basis, so I'm looking at used threading equipment options. I need some guidance on what the options are, and if 1.5" is too big for hand operated thread cutters.

Most dies I see stop at 1", including the manual thread cutter I already have.

Ideas?

 

[firebirdparts]

Around here, good used Rigid manual pipe threaders are cheap on CL. You could buy a whole set for $150 but of course you only need one. They have a couple of formats but they generally go up to 2". You can also get a power threader from HF for $179.

 

[dogdog]

Not an expert or plumber by any means, I've threaded 1" to 2" inches (maybe 1.5", 2" is for the frazinator build), with the HF electric or hand operated one (ok for occasional use, by no mean it is for contractor / pro work)...
I threaded them for steam black pipes/ electrical GRC (I didn't have a straight die for electrical) / Air runs. No big deal, except it is painful and time consuming with this hand held ones (electric or manual). Just use a lot of those dark threading oils. Two good pipe vise (chain vise) would help... ... taper the pipe outer edges a little bit, aprox 45deg with a grinder would help. start off slow back off and clear chip about every 1/4 or 1/2 turn around the pipe would help, until complete the thread... It's NTP is a tapered thread, I needs to go to the other side flush... Also I think there is minimum length you can thread.... It will have to be able to chuck into a pipe vise very securely and go through that die to the other end flush..


I think Ridgid have some commercial ones... that is popular if you can justify the cost. There is a few thread that shows the guy have that machine.... well if I remember correctly it was few threads of the guy complaining about his COO black pipe that cracked at the seam with his shinny new Ridgid commercial series pipe cutter.

One of these machines...
https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/power-threading-machines

 

[LXCam]

You can easily thread up to 2" by hand. A machine or pony threader makes it a whole lot easier, but sure ain't required. Rigid is the most well known name but don't hesitate if you come across rothenburger, they make excellent equipment. My small power threader up to 2" was an RB and in its day cut thousands of threads and never had an issue. I'd suggest you surf Zoro's site for a handle and die and wait for a 25 off day.

Btw, if you're in the Socal area you'd be welcome to use my equipment. After I shut down my contracting business I sold all the power stuff except for one pony and 1/2" - 2" manual set plus kept one 2-1/2" - 4" head all though I'm not sure why.

 

[matt_i]

The Ridgid 535 is the gold standard imo up to 2" pipe. It is quite expensive to buy, but you can thread all day long. I believe Ridgid also has a hand-held threader which spins the die(s) and you simply feed it into the clamped part. Not sure on capacities there.

I think Oster is also a competitor but I can't comment directly on their machine having never touched one.

I've threaded some 3/4" by hand, its a pain. The dark threading oil (same as goes in the Ridgid) is preferred lubricant. I wouldn't want to do many 1-1/2" by hand. It will need extremely long handles, possibly a helper, and a pipe vise that can resist the torque.

 

[kbs2244]

Craigslist is your friend
Steel pipe is falling out of favor and tools meant for it are cheap.

 

[bob15]

Craigslist is your friend
Steel pipe is falling out of favor and tools meant for it are cheap.

^^^^^^^^
This

Look on C-list or even facebook marketplace for a used pipe machine. Even an old Ridgid 500 will make the job light years easier. Can always sell it after the job is done.

 

[KEH]

Years ago I wanted 3/4 inch threaded pipe to put clamping heads on to make pipe clamps.
I bought short pipe *******, sawed them in two with a hacksaw, and welded the sawed end to scrap pipe which I had. Then I ground down the welds so they would work through the heads easily. Has worked fine all these years.

I also had tractor hydraulic fittings that I wanted to attach to 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch pipe. Used the same technique. AIRC I wanted an adapter for the same hydraulic system. I took a piece of pipe ****** that had the correct threads on it and welded a nut which had the thread pattern I needed to the other end. Don't remember details but it worked. I was careful to clean out any slag from the inside, which would not have been good for the hydraulic system. Must have worked fine, the tractor system lasted for years until I sold it.

Having said that, there are plenty of reasons for getting threading dies for projects. Good luck.

KEH

 

[The Cobbler]

def 1-1/2" pipe is out of the realm of had threading. probably could do it but it's going to be a bear.

 

[walrus]

Craig's list, rigid hand threader, tri stand vise. Piece of cake. 1.5 inch pipe is easily threaded by hand, takes awhile if doing a lot but no need for power threader unless you are doing it all the time. I'd say a tri stand vise is more important than a power threader. Lots of cutting oil when threading is crucial also

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

def 1-1/2" pipe is out of the realm of had threading. probably could do it but it's going to be a bear.

Never thread pipe have ya.

 

[jubilee]

I have hand Ridgid to 2” and power driven Ridgid 2 1/2” to 4” and HF to 2”. ( I’m old and can’t recall the Ridgid numbers right now) When threading under 2”, I use the HF. It’s lighter, quicker, and cuts good threads. Amazing tool for the money.

 

[The Cobbler]

Never thread pipe have ya.

in fact I have ...

 

[Dagny]

If you are a small person you could have some difficulties.

 

[bsaint]

Best option is to hire someone.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'm a little blown away at the can't be done crowd.

You can cut them with a Ridgid 65R, which is literally designed for hand threading 1-2" pipe. They are regularly on Craigslist for $100. In contrast with the smaller fixed die sets, there are fewer cutting edges in contact with the pipe to make hand cutting possible, the fine folks at Ridgid already though of that for us.

What should be noted, is that pipe holding and oil are super important. You'll need a good pipe vise. Walrus pointed that out.

 

[All]

Amazingly informative responses. I can't thank you all enough. And LXCAM, your offer was above and beyond. I'm in CA, but up north. Still, I am humbled by your offer, and thank you all the same.

Ok, I've visited Craigs recently, and couldn't find any large pipe threading solution under $895 that time around, which was before I had the benefit of the model numbers and other ideas presented in this thread. I will regularly revisit craigs armed with your ideas in mind, and keep a vigil until I find a solution.

 

[rsanter]

I have a couple of the manual pipe threaders, they work good but slow.
I have seen a couple of the rigid powered threaders come up used for $400-$600 if you are going to be doing a fair amount of it.

For me I would just cut and weld them

 

[LXCam]

Where ya at All.........or would that be where ya-all at?? Lol

I could use a vacation.

Here's an example. Zoro has the westward die fairly inexpensive and I'd bet a couple cocktails that the rigid teeth fit if you were to wear the originals out.

https://www.zoro.com/westward-manual-threader-die-head-1-12-22xp86/i/G7513012/

And here's the handle you need ( I think, you'll need to confirm).

https://www.zoro.com/ridgid-threader-ratchet-and-handle-30118/i/G1913466/#description

But basically both these are $150 and if you find a 25 off day you're only out of pocket $113. I will echo what someone else said about a threading stand, that's half the battle - holding the piece you're threading. But that can be accomplished many different ways. There's been plenty of times in my career that I laid a pipe wrench on the ground facing up and knelt on top of that to cut a set of threads, its no big deal despite what some of these guys try to lead you to believe.

Anyhow, good luck and if I come across a deal I'll get back to you.

Cam

 

[LXCam]

Here ya go bud. If I were depending upon this kit to cut threads for an active pressurized wet or dry system I'd have my doubts. But for what you're looking to do, I wouldn't hesitate, but I would suggest you find n get a manual handle just in case the drive unit ***** a big set or takes a dump at some point. But for two hundy, you're all set.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...=1KE32BS76H5APJS0GJ7V&dpPl=1&dpID=71MSO5mx4ML

 

[Ji m]

Hand threading inch and a half isn't bad,

just cut the pipe straight,
have a good vice,
a nice oiler

and back up the die once in a while to clear the cutting teeth.

Speaking of teeth,
push down on the threader, never pull it towards your face

 

[gearhead1]

One like this was my Dad’s, handed down to me. This is what I use.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cr...733291?hash=item41c7aacaeb:g:kCcAAOSwbiFZP4Rb

 

[All]

LXCam, you are amazing!

If you like vacationing near Silly Con Valleys and Golden Gate Bridges and Fisherman's Wharfs and rivers and deltas, that's where we'all at.

Incredible response. Link after link of option after option, topped off with an offer of a road trip! I need to pay this forward some kind of way... with something more than just vinegar (an old GJ reference to one of my threads from years ago).

My immediate need has been abated, since at the request of the fairest of them all in my household, I redesigned the stair rail from manly galvanized 1 1/2" threaded pipe... to ornamental iron black 2" x 2" tubing with welded floor flanges and bracketed connections for the rail.

I just prepped all the materials this evening, and will haul them and my tools to the site tomorrow to install. At the end of the day, if an 83 year old man will have something solid to grab on to as he is descending and ascending the steps of his porch, it will be a success, regardless of how it looks. I'm not charging him a dime, so I doubt he cares whether it's pipe or tubing.

But now I have at least eight (8) threaded 1 1/2" floor flanges that I can't return... so I will continue my search for a self reliant pipe threading solution to make use of these flanges for other project deployments (such as replacing this cheap ornamental "iron" when it fails).

 

[LXCam]

Lol ^^^. Well it was my pleasure trying to help you out but inall fairness I think you'll be happier with the tubing. good luck on the project!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I can't offer any information on this and it's definitely not mine but would this work for you ?

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=115&acctid=10745

 

[BD1]

A old Ridgid 400 pipe machine can be had by me for $200.00 with old key chuck. The 400 speed chuck is closer to $500.00.
The 65 R is the easiest to use to thread by hand. You set for 1 1/2" and the adjustment has a locking screw. Face up threads against pipe and tighten rear screw. As you thread it draws dies onto pipe. No pushing force required as with a drop head set.
As for a pipe vise, get a RIDGID CHAIN VISE TRIPOD. It has many uses over a yoke style. You can even hold logs or lumber in it. Amazing tool with many uses. The chain will even hold odd shapes and fittings too.
As for a pipe cutter, a RIDGID 1 to 2 WIDE ROLLER would be best. Their standard is fine but for hand use the wider rollers will help prevent tracking.

 

[All]

I can't offer any information on this and it's definitely not mine but would this work for you ?

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=115&acctid=10745

That's pretty cool how you, sitting as far away as Ohio, found a government auction to a Ridgid pipe threader, tripod mount no less, within an easy day's drive round trip with lunch and time allotted for paying and picking up.

But I just got a private message from d*********7 (the current high bidder) saying "I know where you live, LXCam is too far away to save you, so you better not bid up my pipe threader".

Ok, that obviously is a fiction, but really, the internet never ceases to amaze as far as it's reach in finding exactly what one could be looking for.

 

[LXCam]

You got threatened, get the F outta here. So much for the forum brutha hood :

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's pretty cool how you, sitting as far away as Ohio, found a government auction to a Ridgid pipe threader, tripod mount no less, within an easy day's drive round trip with lunch and time allotted for paying and picking up.

But I just got a private message from d*********7 (the current high bidder) saying "I know where you live, LXCam is too far away to save you, so you better not bid up my pipe threader".

Ok, that obviously is a fiction, but really, the internet never ceases to amaze as far as it's reach in finding exactly what one could be looking for.

LOL.

I visit GovDeals nearly daily or a few times a week. It never ceases me what gets sold, sometimes for cheap. Once you learn how to search the site, by location or arrange by location you find stuff rather close to you.

Currently, I have a couple bids on a few things locally but have been outbid on. Wouldn't surprise me that it's other city employees bidding on stuff.

 

[All]

I remember wanting to bid on the Airstream motorhome that NASA used to shuttle the Apollo astronauts to the launch pad. I couldn't believe that it was being auctioned away, instead preserved in a museum. And the price was dirt cheap, well within what I could have afforded. But I didn't have a place to preserve it. Had to look the other way.