Anyone Thread big Pipe ?

[JB4310]

Just trying to get an idea if I'll have any luck selling a pipe threader I have had sitting around for years now.

Put it on Craigslist today, but so far no calls.

It's a Rigid model 141, for threading 2.5 to 4 inch pipe with the same set of dies. I guess the threads are the same between those sizes.

This same model is still made and costs over $2,000. That's just the cutting head, you need a power head to turn it, or you could use the ratchet, but that must be quite the chore.

I got the thing for free and have never used it. I have asked plumbers and other tradesmen if they were interested but they couldn't say no fast enough. And I'm not looking for that much for the thing but it never even came down to money, no one seems to thread pipe anymore.

Like I said they still make this exact model, so someone must use them.

Anyone have any experience with one of these ?

JB

 

[RoyJackson]

Anyone have any experience with one of these ?

JB

Yep...after High School, I worked as a plumber's apprentice/helper. Used those when we were on new construction jobsites.
You can thread manually with the 2.5" black or galvanized pipe (but you better have more ***** then I did back then), but anything bigger does require a power vice.
Seems like most folks are using plastic now, so there's not a lot of need for a labor intensive machine like that anymore...

 

[KB9UDE]

I was a sprinkler pipe fitter for a few years. We didnt use threaded pipe on a regular basis bigger than 2 inch sch 40. Almost all 2.5 and bigger was a groove type fitting. You might check with a sprinkler contractor though because we had to fix old piping at times and threaded it.

 

[oldnslo]

Do you have any mechanical contractors in your area? Local companies around here thread up to 2 1/2" and then either weld or groove type fittings. Possibly a local plumbing supply house that cuts and threads pipe for an emergency repair basis etc.

Roy

 

[studor]

My father was in HVAC -- he had two heads like that (one 1/2 to 2 1/2 and the other 2 1/2 to four and a power vice. Commercial boiler guys still use them. I have threaded lots of pipe by hand helping Dad in the old days and once you get it going and lubed its not so bad. Power vise is nice though but lots of times it was more hassle to hook up the vise than to thread by hand

 

[atgreene]

I'd like to add it to my collection. May never have a need for it, but when you need one you need one. I bought out my brothers hardware store when he closed, bought all the pipe, fittings, threader etc (smaller)..... Handy to have around.

Just curious, what are you asking for it?

 

[Redneck in training]

Explosion proof installation of electrical and instrument equipment uses heavy duty conduits threaded by heads like yours. When I was working on construction of refineries, pipelines and chemical plants I did thousands threads with Rigid machine similar to yours. Many by hand but most with motor driven power wise. Since it is still done that way those guys might be interested.

 

[dex3361]

I have thread a lot of pipe with that type threader and a power unit. I loved threading pipe with it. They still use it at the plant. I haven't been in that area of maintenance for about 10 years and it is still in service.
Maybe love is to strong a word lets just say it was a good tool.
Time will change your perspective on things.

 

[JB4310]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

This did come from an electrical contractor, so maybe it's used for conduit work more than plumbing now?

I do have 50-60 feet of 2.5 inch steel pipe in my basement for the steam heating system, my heating contractor assures me I'll never have to touch it even though it's over 70 years old. If I can't sell it, I'll just keep it for any future needs I might have.

JB

 

[JB4310]

I'd like to add it to my collection. May never have a need for it, but when you need one you need one. I bought out my brothers hardware store when he closed, bought all the pipe, fittings, threader etc (smaller)..... Handy to have around.

Just curious, what are you asking for it?

It's on the local CL for $550.00

The cheapest used one I found thru Internet searches was $800. and it looked pretty beat up with no ratchet. I've got the hand ratchet for this one which is like 200 by itself for new.

Just gotta find the right buyer.

JB

 

[KENSFM]

You may want to correct the spelling of "RIDGID" in your CL ad. You have it spelled "RIGID". This will help the search feature.
Ken

 

[JB4310]

You may want to correct the spelling of "RIDGID" in your CL ad. You have it spelled "RIGID". This will help the search feature.
Ken

Thanks, I see I spelled it wrong here as well.

And I have a bunch of Ridgid tools from pipe tongs, pipe wrenches of all sizes, pipe cutters, cast iron pipe cutter and smaller threaders. You'd think I would know how to spell it.
Some of the older tools say the Ridge tool company right on them, not sure if the new ones do.

I think you have to wait 2 or 3 days to rerun a CL ad? No calls the first day.
This is in the Hartford CT market, maybe I'll try New Haven, Springfield or Boston.

JB

 

[Uncle Doug]

Used one many times as a young electrical contractor. Love would not be a term I would use either. It got to a point that when asked if I knew how to run 3" and 4" conduit I would tell them no. The issue was never in threading the pipe but more in bending and screwing the pipe together.

I am sure it will sell, may take a while. Might do a serch on ebay to see if any are listed there and the going rate.

 

[JB4310]

Just to update an old "thread", I finally sold it today. wasn't really advertising since I ran the first ad, but I was asking around. I met a young plumber/heating contractor this year and mentioned it ot him.
He wanted it but had to wait for a decent job to justify it. He got the right job, 650 feet of 2.5 inch gas line to feed a back up generator for a cell tower.

He was happy with the condition and price ($500.) and I was happy to see it go to good use I told him if I ever need to thread big pipe I will come see him, he said "no problem" and sounded serious.

JB