Pipe threader

[jgr2015]

Hi All,

I see some maintenance on iron central heating piping in my future. 1 inch and 1/2 inch BSP.

In order to make up new pipe sections, I figure I'm going to need to cut taper BSP male threads in these sizes. The tools seem to range from cheap to eye-watering. I figure a good condition, used threader is my best bet.

Is there anything I should be considering or watching out for ?

Thanks in advance,
J.

 

[frank horton]

I bought and used a cheapo chinese set and they worked fine, remember plenty of lub.....
I now have a eye watering set as well.....other than effort, esp on big stuff, they make no difference...

 

[Agroshield]

...1 inch and 1/2 inch BSP.

Is there anything I should be considering or watching out for?

1" BSP and 1/2" BSP use different thread pitches, so you will need two sets of dies if you buy a powered threader.

If threading by hand, you need something to stop the pipe from rotating as you are cutting the thread. A bench vise is not the best as it only grips along the two jaw lines and there is not enough room to turn the die. A proper pipe vise will help a lot.

 

[jgr2015]

I'm hoping a manual threader will suffice for anything I need to do. The point about the vice is well made @Agroshield - I'll see if something can be found or improvised!

Good to have the feedback on the cheap vs expensive @frank horton and the note re the need for cutting lube.

At the risk of starting a "lively" debate, what would be the go to thread sealant for a tapered thread conection ? (This is a domestic central heating system, unpressurised, so no extremes of temperature or pressure).

Also, I think there are a few places in the system where a parallel male and female thread are sealed (no tapers) - any suggestions for these - I've used hemp and Boss sealing compound in the past but happy to hear of anything neater !!!

Thanks,
J.

 

[bricol]

Loctite 572.
Apply as per instructions, screw together, forget.
Will work on your parallel threads too - but parallel threads should normally have seals, dowty washers etc to seal other than on the threads.

Pains me to say that as I dislike Loctites customer service to industrial customers.

 

[Agroshield]

...the vice...

I realised after I posted that a standard vise would do as long as it is at the LH or RH end of the bench. It is only when it is in the middle that the bench fouls the die.

You can drill a timber to the OD of the pipe and then split in half to make an enveloping gripper which might help.

Fernox hawk white is good. Needs no fibre on the 1/2" size. Loctite 55 is also good.

 

[Porkypine]

Pity you're in Ireland, I've got an old pipe vice you could have for nowt... Heavy b'stard though

 

[Smallfry]

Got a Ridgid threader. Its a bit of a lump but it will do up to six inch pipes. Great thing, but very expensive. I got it cheap at an auction. No one else wanted it.

You can get manual dies, but I have tried that, and its hard work, but I guess it all depends on how many threads you have to cut.

I would consider a cheapish one that looks like an angle grinder. You can hire them, Might be a better option ?

 

[jgr2015]

Thanks all for the advice and wish I was in London to pick up that vice @Porkypine !

We'll see how it all goes!

 

[Dickthedark]

Hire a rems powered hand threader and an oil bucket, sod hand threading.

Also, all of the pipe fitters in the entirety of the UK use loctite 55; some with paste, some without, not the cheapest but it's very good. They say you don't need boss white/ paste etc. on the destructions and I believe them . Just my take.

 

[Bsmith]

I have a good quality Presto ratchet hand pipe threader. will thread up to 2" bsp if I remember right, will check what dies I have. I would sell it but again, it is heavy. Can weigh and do photos if you like?

 

[jgr2015]

Hi @Bsmith - I think a have a line on a ratchet type threader - if it doesn't happen, I'll be back to you about the one you have - many thanks.

@Dickthedark - I know you're trying to save me from hard work by suggesting the electric option but I'll be doing this job in between other things and so rental isn't a great option - I'm hoping it's less rather than more joints I'll need to do. Thanks for the tip on Loctite55. I wonder what paste works with it for the jobs where paste seems a good idea ?

 

[Porkypine]

Tbh if you're doing occasional 1" stuff I reckon a hand die set up is perfectly adequate, I've used the Rigid type machines years ago on sites working on 4" pipe installations etc, and of course if you're doing a load of joints having a machine is the way ahead, but I'm sure you'll be fine doing it the old fashioned way!
Anyway hope you get sorted with some basic kit

 

[Dickthedark]

Hi @Bsmith - I think a have a line on a ratchet type threader - if it doesn't happen, I'll be back to you about the one you have - many thanks.

@Dickthedark - I know you're trying to save me from hard work by suggesting the electric option but I'll be doing this job in between other things and so rental isn't a great option - I'm hoping it's less rather than more joints I'll need to do. Thanks for the tip on Loctite55. I wonder what paste works with it for the jobs where paste seems a good idea ?

If you decide to use paste just the bog standard stuff from BSS will do it.

 

[armalites]

I bought an old Presto on ebay, just make sure you pick one that has a full set of dies and doesn't look knackered. You will also need a pipe vice. Fair play to the people who piped whole factories with these things as there's a fair bit of effort involved.

I recently bought an old Record pipe cutter too as I'm running iron pipe in the workshop. I put a new cutter wheel in it but it still takes a bit of time. I think I'll just use my lads M18 Bandsaw.

 

[armalites]

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[God mode restorations]

Get ya self one of these. It will 6 inch pipe diameter