Water pipe threading tool

Any repair or replacement of an existing pipeline involves insertion into the highway. Welding is suitable only for metal pipes, while it is impossible to apply this method to connect them to plastic products. In addition, during installation, shutoff valves are used, which are fastened with a threaded connection. To create it, you need to know how to cut the thread on the pipe and with what devices.

There are several types of tools for threading.

Thread cutting. Necessary concepts

This process is the processing of a rod or hole using a special tool for cutting threads on pipes in order to obtain external or internal alternating protrusions-turns and spiral grooves.

The main characteristics of the thread are:

• step. This is the distance between the tops or bases of adjacent turns;
• profile. The cross section at the turn can be trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular, etc. The details of the sanitary systems use an exclusively triangular profile;
• profile angle. It is formed by the intersecting sides (side faces) of the turns;
• depth. This is the distance from the top to the base of the thread;
• outer, middle and inner diameters.

The outer is equal to the distance between the points of two opposite sides of the thread. The average diameter ˗ is the distance between the top and base of the profiles that are on opposite sides of the part. The inner represents the distance between opposing depressions.

Any thread has its own technical characteristics.

Types of thread on pipes

Although the threading procedure on a water pipe cannot be called complicated, to heed some tips will not be out of place. The ability to distinguish between left and right threads, and inch from metric, will also not hurt.

With the left thread, the nut is screwed counterclockwise onto the bolt. If the thread is right, the nut is screwed clockwise onto the bolt.

Metric threads are characterized in that:

• geometric dimensions of parts are measured in millimeters;
• profile view - equilateral triangle;
• has a smaller step.

Features inch thread is:

• unit for measuring the geometric dimensions of parts - inches;
• has the profile of an isosceles triangle with an angle at the apex of 55 degrees;
• has a bigger step. This feature means that the inch thread profile is larger and the bond strength is higher.

All types of threads are used in certain cases. But it is worth noting that the right one is found literally at every step, but the left one is much less common.

To properly thread, you need to know how they differ from each other

Tool and rules for threading pipes

Of course, in order to perform this procedure, a pipe cutting tool is indispensable. In the field of trade, it is usually called a pipe threading set.

Helpful information! The kit may include a tool with the unusual name of a screwdriver. It resembles a die for threading pipes, but contains only its main functional part - a round frame in the form of a short cylinder made of tool steel and equipped with durable cutters.

In addition to dies or kloppov, the set includes a holder (with or without a ratchet), as well as a number of other additional tools, such as pliers, clamps, etc.

The requirements for the process of threading pipes manually are formulated as follows:

• mandatory pipe preparation. It is necessary to remove dirt, rust and paint from the place of future thread. Clean the surface to metal;
• the process of threading on pipes should be accompanied by lubrication of their working surfaces and the cutters of the tool used - a die or screw die. For this, a grease is used, which is a special fluid. It is applied both before and during the threading process on the pipe;
• at the end of the product, it is first necessary to remove the external bevel;
• work should only be carried out with a sharp and serviceable tool for threading water pipes.

In addition to technology, it is important to know the subtleties of the choice of tool.

When cutting threads, technology must be strictly adhered to.

The thread-cutting tool is not only the aforementioned dies and screwdrivers, but also taps. With the help of the latter, an internal thread is created by cutting chip flutes. But there is one caveat. For threading on a pipe, it is necessary to use a set of two taps that differ in the depth of penetration:

• for rough work - No. 1;
• for finishing work - No. 2.

Pipe dies are:

• round;
• sliding;
• split;
• whole.

Another tool - screwdriver - has a guide in its design. It serves to center the cylinder with cutters along the pipe.

At the same time, knowledge alone of what cuts a thread on a water pipe is not enough. It is necessary to find out the requirements of GOST for the size of the pipe thread, and already in accordance with its pitch and diameter, select a set of thread-cutting tools. These data are presented in the table below.

Table 1

Manual pipe threading steps

As mentioned above, this operation is performed using a die, screwdriver or tap. The choice of kit for threading pipes depends on many factors. But, first of all, it depends on which thread you need to create - external or internal. For more specifics, consider how to thread a stainless steel pipe manually using a die.

Cut the part of the stainless pipe on which the old thread is present. It is not practical to restore it, since it will be impossible to achieve complete tightness of the connection and, therefore, leaks will occur in this place. When performing this operation manually, pay particular attention to the cut. It should be strictly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Important! Pipeline segments with signs of corrosion should also be removed.

To facilitate the winding of the die, remove the chamfer from the end of the pipe. To ensure better glide, oil the place of future threads. Next, start the actual threading of the pipe thread. After a certain number of turns, the die should be scrolled in the opposite direction.

It is easy to cut an external thread with a die

Upon completion of pipe threading, remove metal filings from the newly created joint. To check the correctness of the work, wind the object to be installed on the pipe. So you will find out the correctness of using the selected die for threading pipes, as well as whether there are enough turns. If the test is successful, seal the connection and proceed with the installation of the plumbing system.

Benefits

Some features of this tool used for threading pipes were mentioned above. But ease of use ˗ this is far from the only advantage of such a set.So, for example, knowing in practice how to cut a thread on a pipe using a die, you can easily cope with this task using a screwdriver. Other advantages include the purity of the resulting thread, the simplicity of the screw die design, the ability to quickly replace die cutters, and light weight.

The following factor deserves special attention. For the manufacture of dies, expensive tool steel is used. But after all, only cutters that actually perform the main work should have increased strength! The lack of expensive non-functional parts leads to a reduction in the price of a set of screwdrivers and, accordingly, reduces the cost of the threading process on a stainless pipe. Therefore, home craftsmen who know how to count money give preference to just such an instrument.

The use of a screwdriver will greatly facilitate the task of threading

These products are sold with a set of dies for threading pipes with diameters of 50, 38, 32, 25, 20 and 15 mm. Each of them is indicated by the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4. All the slots on the body of the screwdriver also have numbers corresponding to the cutter dies, with which thread cutting will be performed on the pipe. To increase the efficiency of work in hard-to-reach places, it is recommended to purchase special equipment together with the hob.

Today on the market you can find such a tool with electric and manual drive. Therefore, the question may arise as to how the thread on the pipe is cut more efficiently.

Helpful information! Klupps are sold in specialized both stationary and online stores. The latter are very convenient, since you can become the owner of a suitable set for cutting threads on pipes without leaving your home.

Professional locksmiths, who certainly know how to thread a pipe, prefer electric screwdrivers. But such devices cost more. Therefore, if it is planned to carry out a single threading into a pipe, it is more profitable to purchase a tool kit with a manual drive.