Pipe Threader

[2manyrocks]

Todays black pipe seems brittle by comparison to the pipe I remember working with and seems to require more carefulness to try to cut the threads without breaking bits of the thread. I'd suggest using a quality tool...holding the pipe steady...oil...patience. Then use yellow pipe sealant rated for gas service.

If you ever anticipate threading pipe in the future I'd lean towards buying a quality tool.

 

[tomkatohio]

I have a small DIY project for which I want to use black pipe. It will require making threads on both ends of 9 pieces of pipe. Although I know the finished length of 5 of the pieces, the length of the remaining 4 pieces are uncertain until I'm into the project.
I know that the big-box stores will thread pipe if you buy the pipe from them, but because I don't know the length of several pieces and I'm about an hour from any big-box store with a threader, I'm considering buying a pipe threader. I won't use it much, so I'm hoping there's a pipe threader which will get the job done but won't break the bank ($100 or less). It looks like Ridgid makes a quality pipe threader, but it costs more than I want to spend.
Harbor Freight, Northern Tool and Amazon have sub-$100 pipe threaders, but I'm concerned that they wouldn't make it through even my little job.
Has anyone had good or bad experience with one of the within-the-budget pipe threaders?
Thanks,
GRR

I was told at a Lowe’s and Home Depot that they couldn’t thread anything under 12” because their threader would accept short pieces. Not sure if that was true or just BS

 

[Gopher Baroque]

Home Depot lists the Rigid pipe threaders in their rental tools. That might be cheaper than buying one.

In addition to "Good Post", I want to mention that I have the Rigid pipe threader and endorse the comment that the long handle and a strong bench-mounted vice are needed when doing iron pipe.

 

[2manyrocks]

A pipe vise with serrated teeth will keep the pipe from turning like it will in a regular smooth face machine vise.

 

[dcarman]

Good quality tools and the proper experience and/or training make the job so much easier and you get better quality results. Get your lengths right and go to the big box stores to get it done, combine your trips maybe. You may want to just rent the tools. Unless you are going to be doing lots of these in the future it certainly does not pay to have that kind of tool just laying around getting rusty and in the way.

 

[rv7charlie]

I re-plumbed my entire 3000+ sq ft house after moving it (2 gas HVAC units, 2 gas water heaters, a couple of ancient in-wall gas bathroom heaters) and my hangar/shop (2 gas heaters) over 20 years ago, using the HF threader (plastic case, like was mentioned earlier). While plumbing the house I used an ancient power threader to turn the pipe but used the HF handle & dies because the 80 year old power dies were too messed up to use. Just rested the handle of the HF on the cast iron rail of the power threader; basically using the power threader like a lathe.

I still pull out the HF set from time to time when I need to thread a pipe; still works just fine.

 

[Hotpot]

I use a very cheap set from china off of amazon. finished two house install of gas lines. Its still working fine. the trick is a good vise and 1/4 turn forward half turn back to break the chips. lots of oil also.

 

[bigkjh]

I have a small DIY project for which I want to use black pipe. It will require making threads on both ends of 9 pieces of pipe. Although I know the finished length of 5 of the pieces, the length of the remaining 4 pieces are uncertain until I'm into the project.
I know that the big-box stores will thread pipe if you buy the pipe from them, but because I don't know the length of several pieces and I'm about an hour from any big-box store with a threader, I'm considering buying a pipe threader. I won't use it much, so I'm hoping there's a pipe threader which will get the job done but won't break the bank ($100 or less). It looks like Ridgid makes a quality pipe threader, but it costs more than I want to spend.
Harbor Freight, Northern Tool and Amazon have sub-$100 pipe threaders, but I'm concerned that they wouldn't make it through even my little job.
Has anyone had good or bad experience with one of the within-the-budget pipe threaders?
Thanks,
GRR

 

[bigkjh]

I re-plumbed my entire 3000+ sq ft house after moving it (2 gas HVAC units, 2 gas water heaters, a couple of ancient in-wall gas bathroom heaters) and my hangar/shop (2 gas heaters) over 20 years ago, using the HF threader (plastic case, like was mentioned earlier). While plumbing the house I used an ancient power threader to turn the pipe but used the HF dies because the 80 year old power dies were too messed up to use. I still pull out the HF set from time to time when I need to thread a pipe; still works just fine.

Replaced the black pipe/natural gas lines in my crawl space. I may not ever need a pipe threader again, so I bought the HF electric pipe threader set. It worked perfectly and I would NOT install a pipe here if the threads were not right. Used this for a week with no issues. Yes, buy thread cutting oil and use lots of it. It was cheaper than renting.

 

[grsthegreat]

man, you guys have guts. I wouldnt trust a HF gas pipe threader for any amount of savings. But i guess enough pipe dope and teflon tape will seal anything.

i have a ridgid set ive had for 20 years. Those i trust.

 

[rv7charlie]

Ha. 'NPT' is the abbreviation for 'spiral leak', so my faith will always rest in dope or tape.

 

[JBF43]

I was told at a Lowe’s and Home Depot that they couldn’t thread anything under 12” because their threader would accept short pieces. Not sure if that was true or just BS

They either didn't want to or didn't know how to do it. When I was in plumbing trade school we used to make everything even down to close nipples, (Where the threads come from both ends of the pipe to the center,)and we did it both on Rigid pipe threading machines as well as using drop head dye hand threaders. You simply make a nipple chuck to hold the short piece of pipe either in the threader or the pipe vice. I have made MANY of these short nipples and short pipes. It's just a question of 'wanting' to do it.

 

[ARay]

Consider using soft copper and compression/flared fittings for the last run. Copper is easy to cut and the cutting tools are cheap. Fittings are a little expensive, but with the soft copper you may be able to get by with only a couple.

 

[dkmc]

10+ years ago a buddy bought a HF hand threader set, and complained it was tearing the threads on the pipe. I took a look at the chasers and the
cutting edges were a joke. I sharpened them for him (on a tool and cutter grinder) and then they cut beautiful threads. A couple years ago I picked up
a Oster "Pipe Master" power threading machine from the 1950's on Marketplace. I tuned up the machine, and sharpened all the chasers and it does a fantastic job. Best part, not having to visit the box stores and endure that environment.

 

[Ghost River Retrievers]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.
As I mentioned, this is not for a gas line or other potentially hazardous application ... so long as the threads will go into the fittings, I'll be satisfied.
After reading all of the posts (and knowing that I'll likely never use the tool again), I'll check used tool shops, e-bay, and the local on-line marketplaces for a Ridgid or other higher quality tool, but if none is available, I'll go with the HF and see what happens.

 

[Beaverplt]

I work in the tool rental department at Home Depot. Our rental department has a black pipe threader for rental. Not all stores have it, so I'd call to make sure. You can also check on the Home Depot Website.

 

[dkmc]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.
As I mentioned, this is not for a gas line or other potentially hazardous application ... so long as the threads will go into the fittings, I'll be satisfied.
After reading all of the posts (and knowing that I'll likely never use the tool again), I'll check used tool shops, e-bay, and the local on-line marketplaces for a Ridgid or other higher quality tool, but if none is available, I'll go with the HF and see what happens.

If you go look at the HF ones, if you can check the cutting edges of the chasers. Be sure they are sharp and crisp, not rounded over, or chipped.

 

[coast40]

Be aware that pipe can break at the threads if Leaning Tower of Pisa'd. I fab with tubing and welding.

 

[Ghost River Retrievers]

Be aware that pipe can break at the threads if Leaning Tower of Pisa'd. I fab with tubing and welding.

Thanks for the warning. I'll keep an eye on the stressed parts and go to a welded version if cracks/breaks appear on the threaded version.

 

[Henry007]

I have a small DIY project for which I want to use black pipe. It will require making threads on both ends of 9 pieces of pipe. Although I know the finished length of 5 of the pieces, the length of the remaining 4 pieces are uncertain until I'm into the project.
I know that the big-box stores will thread pipe if you buy the pipe from them, but because I don't know the length of several pieces and I'm about an hour from any big-box store with a threader, I'm considering buying a pipe threader. I won't use it much, so I'm hoping there's a pipe threader which will get the job done but won't break the bank ($100 or less). It looks like Ridgid makes a quality pipe threader, but it costs more than I want to spend.
Harbor Freight, Northern Tool and Amazon have sub-$100 pipe threaders, but I'm concerned that they wouldn't make it through even my little job.
Has anyone had good or bad experience with one of the within-the-budget pipe threaders?
Thanks,
GRR

I have a great Rigid that has and still is great. I have retired and no longer need it.