Anybody know how to thread black steel pipe?

[NetWareHead]

Thinking about picking up a used Ridgid threading setup in order to make some sturdy shelves and even some cool looking furniture using black pipe. Black pipe flanges and other offf the shelf hangers make great mounts to floors, walls, ceiling etc... and with the right imagination you can build some sturdy industrial looking stuff. Anybody know about these tools and and can give some threading tips?

Also Ridgid lists 2 different types of pipe threaders and die sets. Exposed and enclosed dies. Whats the difference and benefit?

 

[momeNt]

what size pipe are you looking to thread?

The enclosed ratchet (11R) is for 1/8" - 1 1/4"

The exposed has 2 size ratchets
0R and 12R

Or is for 1/4"-1"

and 12R is for 1/8" - 2"

I believe if you don't need to do 1/8" or 1-1/4" pipe, the 0R is the best bet as it is the smallest and would be easier to store and less unwieldy than the bigger ratchets.

 

[NetWareHead]

For shelving etc... I'll be primarily threading 1/2, some 3/4 and the occasional inch pipe.

Im not too concerned about storage space for tools as I have an entire basement. Plus as I get better with the threader, I'm going to replace some gas piping in our house as the previous install was done poorly, overuse of nipples rather than straight runs of contiguous pipe and none of the pipes are hung properly.

Im more concerned from a finished product perspective as to which threader will work the best and what advantages either design has.

 

[stormkroe]

Black pipe is nice and soft, it's great to thread. Just go slow, use oil, and reverse often.

 

[Rubycon]

Black iron is what I've heard it called.
If you're doing a lot of threading you're gonna want to go power.
It's an expensive set up though.

 

[NutBucket]

A real hardware store will thread any length pipe you want. Much easier IMHO.

 

[NetWareHead]

A real hardware store will thread any length pipe you want. Much easier IMHO.

Been burned by home depot employees that screwed up my pipe threading. One store I frequented in NJ didnt maintain the threader and the dies had chipped or dull teeth that lead the sloppy threads. Another time, using a store in NH, the employee advanced the pipe too far past the end of the die resulting in straight threads when the spec for gas piping calls for tapered. Ended up returning all the pipe.

Plus, there is a huge convenience factor in not having to run to the store for every pipe thread when you can do it on site.

 

[feralkid]

Something like this might be a way to go:
https://www.amazon.com/Goplus-Porta...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TYQTFF86M9RWH46Q576B
I've always used the manual ones or had it done at a shop.
Cool idea...good luck!

 

[mxnerd]

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-pc-titanium-nitride-coated-alloy-steel-sae-tap-die-set-60685.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHCLr50gPK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32pzriZO1xc

 

[feralkid]

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-pc-titanium-nitride-coated-alloy-steel-sae-tap-die-set-60685.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHCLr50gPK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32pzriZO1xc

None of this is for pipe the size OP is talking about. The kit/videos you linked are mainly for nuts/bolt, etc. thread sizes...also, not tapered.

 

[slag]

I've had good luck at HD with their pipe threading machine. Worked great, just a bit messy, so bring rags with you. Measure everything you want/need, and then cut it accordingly there. I guarantee you will curse yourself for buying a manual threader after doing half dozen pipe threads. Plus, there are metal splinters, messy oil, etc. It's not fun.

 

[mindless1]

None of this is for pipe the size OP is talking about. The kit/videos you linked are mainly for nuts/bolt, etc. thread sizes...also, not tapered.

... and the HF sets are garbage with tap and die holders that easily break.

 

[paperfist]

Get yourself some FastPipe https://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=44266&idcategory=0 instead.

 

[NetWareHead]

Im not sure what this is called but if I describe it, maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

You have a flat board with 2 holes drilled in it a foot apart. 2 half inch black pipe sections are inserted through. You use a wrench to tighten 2 90 degree elbows and now need a length of new black pipe to connect the 2 elbows.

I need to cut a length of pipe but it needs to be shorter than 1 foot because some of the length between the holes will be comprised of the 2 90 degree elbow fittings, some of that length will be threads on each side of the pipe. So what should the length of the connecting pipe be?

I realize that this question is perhaps getting into math that those working in pipefitting use everyday. I need this kind of data not just for 90 elbows, but what about 45s, 22.5s, tees, unions, couplings, reducers etc... What is this math/measurement called? Is there a chart or table ?

 

[NetWareHead]

Get yourself some FastPipe https://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=44266&idcategory=0 instead.

Interesting but wont work for gas. Might as well learn one pipe and get the tools needed that can do it all...

 

[paperfist]

Interesting but wont work for gas. Might as well learn one pipe and get the tools needed that can do it all...

Oh, just thought you were looking to make furniture and shelf's, didn't know you wanted gas pipe for sure.

I remember working for my bro-in-law as a plumber and threading pipe. That was one dirty job and it didn't smell that great either!