Replies

1. 
   Buttkickski | Aug 01, 2007 03:15am | #1

   What kind of threading devise are you using; ratchet handle or machine?

   Be sure it is a 1" NPT die.

   Be sure the die is starting in the correct direction.(numbers are stamped on the start side)

   Be sure the pipe says 1" and not 1-1/8".

   Be sure you're turning clockwise.

   Clamp it in a chain vice so it doesn't spin.

    

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

1. 
   add3inch | Aug 01, 2007 03:23am | #4

   Thanks for the quick response but unfortunately, I think I've got all those bases covered.  One think I did which now I'm wondering is the problem is that I didn't have any pipe cutting lubricant on hand so I put some 10-40 motor oil on the pipe.  Could this be causing the die to slip on the pipe?

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 01, 2007 03:26am | #6

   I use old motor oil for lube, works OK but occasionally tears a thread on 2" - so what on conduit which is the only thing I thread in 2".

2. 
   Buttkickski | Aug 01, 2007 04:59am | #9

   I doubt it's the lube. Lube won't stop a die from starting, it will only make a thread better or worse.I think if it's truly a 1" NPT die and 1" pipe then you're not applying enough pressure to start it. That's hard to do by hand...can you have someone turn it while you push it?Try opening the die if you can and do it in 2 passes. 

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

1. 
   try50772 | Aug 01, 2007 05:10am | #10

   I once did a 2" steam pipe in a closet, what a pain in the rear. You need to push real hard to get it started.

2. 
   Sphere | Aug 01, 2007 03:22am | #2

   Whack it with a mallet.

    

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 01, 2007 02:58pm | #12

   A lesson to not believe everything said on BT.

    

   Whack it with a mallet....

   followed by ....

   when I discovered that I'd broken some of the teeth

    

   Yer losin' your touch ol' boy, an' that advise after calling SYP harder than oak.  <G>

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Aug 01, 2007 03:07pm | #14

   "Whack it with a mallet....

   followed by ....

   when I discovered that I'd broken some of the teeth"

   Hey, he was supposed to hit the die wrench with the mallet, not his face! ;-)

   Actually, that's the same advice I would've given. A time-tested, valuable procedure for starting big, or semi-worn out dies. I do it all the time, and have never busted a die in the process. It takes a bit of finness -- you can't just drive the thing on. You have to smack and turn at the same time until she bites. It helps a lot if you have someone turning slowly while you're whacking. If course, if you use a 12-pound sledge instead of a mallet, all bets are off!

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   Sphere | Aug 01, 2007 03:23pm | #15

   I didn't tell him to KILL it. A gentle whack is all he needed.

   And , I don't care what Paul says, I have seen SYP, Long leaf Heart pine that would out "hard" Red Oak any day.   Maybe he just never ran across the same stuff yet.  Technically, he is very correct, but there are non conforming instances, I know, I've been there. 

3. 
   IMERC | Aug 01, 2007 03:23am | #3

   open the dies a bit and make sure the pipe isn't rolled or mushroomed from the pipe cutter...

   if it is... taper the pipe a fuzz with yur grinder... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

4. 
   junkhound | Aug 01, 2007 03:23am | #5

   Takes about 50# of axial pressure to start 1".. My machine has a big wonki' lever to help.

   If you have adjustable die, you can always back it off 1/16" and start a couple of threads, then re-adjust to correct dia to finish the cut.

   Anything over 3/4" is a bear without a machine. 

   Did see a manual 3" die set once, it had 4 handles, think it was for 4 people to turn it.

5. 
   brownbagg | Aug 01, 2007 03:56am | #7

   take it to Home depot
1. 
   IMERC | Aug 01, 2007 03:59am | #8

   whatcha got against the OP....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

6. 
   add3inch | Aug 01, 2007 06:07am | #11

   Well guys, thanks for the suggestions and input.  However, I blew it.  Got it started by wacking it firmly but not too hard - but a little too hard as it turned out.  It was very difficult to turn and that's when I discovered that I'd broken some of the teeth.  After much effort I've got a pipe with a buggered thread plus a damaged die.  I hate a day that ends like this.

   Back to the drawing board or maybe HD.

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 01, 2007 03:02pm | #13

   Back to the drawing board or maybe HD.

   Fill in your profile by clicking on your name...... who knows, somebody nearby may have a machine and would do it for you.... looked at your profile to see if you were in Seattle area, would have offered for you to bring the pipe and a beer over on Sat afternoon <G>

1. 
   add3inch | Aug 01, 2007 08:38pm | #17

   Thanks for the offer - I'm not too far, just in Missoula, MT!  The pipe is 16' long by the way which is one of the reasons I wanted to do it in place.

   I'll look at updating my profile.

   Walt

    

7. 
   DanH | Aug 01, 2007 04:25pm | #16

   When I need pipe threaded I take it to a local HW store (formerly Hardware Hanks, now Ace). They'll cut and thread it for a reasonable fee.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin