Propane + See All. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons. You can't thread the whole pipe, as the threads are tapered. Also, be sure to wear the proper footwear that will protect you should the galvanized pipe fall on your foot during the cutting process. Ratcheting pipe threaders typically come with die heads in a few different common diameters. If it catches anywhere, give the fitting a small turn with a wrench to see if you can break past whatever is stopping you. What brand of threader should I use when threading pipe? Galvanized pipe is joined using fittings made of malleable cast iron. If you do not own a​ny of the options above, you can still cut galvanized pipe by using a hacksaw. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Ahoy! You may also be able bring your pipe into the store with you to have it threaded for a fee. For example, if it says 1/2 on it, the die head is for threading 1/2-inch piping. The water line has a shut-off in the house basement. Place the pipe in the vise so the end you want to thread is sticking out. While a little startling at first, its to be expected and is fine. Once the pipe is installed, turn on the water supply and check for leaks. Wrap the tape around the pipe threads in the same direction as the female threads will screw on. If at any point you feel increased resistance while cutting, stop ratcheting and apply more threading oil to the exposed teeth of the die head. Southland. Using a Tube Cutting Tool Measure for your cut. You will need to clamp the pipe in your vise grip to keep it steady. Wear work gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself while threading a pipe. An expert at home repair, remodel, and DIY projects for nearly 40 years. i hope many to come. ​No matter what method you choose for cutting, it is important to let the blade of the saw do the cutting work. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Like any type of screw or bolt, if you strip a thread, you will find that it … In a few short moments, you'll have professionally cut threads on your pipe. Application. Well no problem! Work the pipe threader inside your galvanized pipe to create the necessary grooves. Natural Gas. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Whenever you want to remove the pipe, simply hold the pipe to keep it from falling and turn the handle counter-clockwise to loosen the jaws. It also helps lubricate the connection, making the threading a bit smoother, and it helps to prevent pipes from sticking when you want to disassemble the joint. After I look at the threads, I usually take a fitting (preferably the one that will be screwed onto those threads) and put it on hand tight. As long as you take your time and let the saw do the work, you will not encounter any issues with cutting galvanized pipe. You can thread a pipe by attaching and rotating a die head to cut the threads into the pipe. You might need to spin it dozens of times before it goes through. This type of saw will make short work of your cut, but you have to secure the metal pipe before cutting. Take your time and don’t rush the cutting process. Never force the blade or push down to cut faster. Use a metal file or high grit sandpaper to smooth and soften the edges. In the shed the line comes out … Make sure you leave the area to be cut clear. References. Keep in mind that most hardware stores have the ability to cut threads for you, so you may want to consider a local mom and pop store rather than a large corporate chain. Spin the cutter around the pipe in circles, allowing the tool to slowly chop its way through the metal. Is there any way to connect to galvanized pipe without threads? This will damage the galvanized pipe and prevent you from getting a precise cut that is clean edge-to-edge. Secure the pipe firmly in a vise. Plus, this will give you more stability as you cut and prevent the galvanized pipe from becoming unwieldy. Plumber's tape, often called Teflon tape, helps you get a watertight seal on threaded pipe joints. You’ll also probably be left with a good amount of sanding to do to smooth the steel pipe out. Use Teflon tape and a good quality pipe joint compound when attaching. Start by securing the pipe firmly in a vise so it doesn’t move. The cordless pipe threader features auto stop technology that senses severe kickback and automatically shuts the tool off. Select a die head that is of the appropriate size for the pipe you want to add threads to, then attach it to a ratcheting pipe threader handle. You may get lucky and find a specialized straight thread pipe threading die, in which case you can thread the whole pipe, but you will have sharp threads. Start by turning the handle of the vise counterclockwise to loosen it far enough to fit your pipe between the jaws. Tip: Most ratcheting pipe threaders can be used to thread pipes made out of different materials like galvanized metal, copper, or PVC. Tip #3 If the coupling is frozen (rusted on), heat it with a propane torch and then remove it. Clean up the threads with a wire brush and rag. An inexpensive ratcheting pipe threader with 5-6 different die heads costs between $40-$60 USD. Leaking pipes and fittings can present hazards in the home. A measuring tape. To cut your galvanized pipe efficiently, you need to hold the saw steady and follow the curvature of the pipe as you work. Then start turning the handle back clockwise to start tightening it. But whichever option you choose, you can quickly and easily have your pipe threaded and ready to go. Choose the die size that will fit your galvanized pipe diameter best. By using our site, you agree to our. Air. Ask a staff member for assistance and they'll take you over to the pipe thread cutting machine. With the machine, I could grind a bit of the coating off by levering the dies open a bit, to get the thread started. Tip #1 Make two cuts: one several inches away from the threads and a second at the threads themselves. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. What should I be aware of when working with pipe threader? The hacksaw will probably leave it the roughest out of any of the options, but you’ll need to do a little bit of work to finish it off either way. This article has been viewed 178,377 times. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The majority percent of the galvanized pipes are rough. But, to actually determine the size of a pipe, the outside diameter of each pipe or fitting must be measured and compared to the table for size identification. “Lowe's offers free pipe threading and cutting for any size galvanized or black iron pipe. A hacksaw will cut the metal away from a galvanized pipe. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. You need a lot to get the job done, so just squirt away until you have completely saturated the outside end of the pipe that you are going to cut threads into. SawsHub is a collection of DIY enthusiasts and woodworking experts. This process can go on for awhile, and it might feel like you’re not making progress. These will protect your hands and eyes from any metal slivers and accidental... 3. Mueller Global. If the pipe in question is used for drinking water, you may be talking about a bigger problem. Purchase or rent a manual ratcheting pipe threader and use it to thread piping yourself. Plumber's tape is very easy to use, but there's a right way and a wrong way to apply it. They are threaded onto the pipe to make the connection. That's all there is to it! You can just wear 1 work glove if you prefer to leave 1 hand bare to grip the handle of pipe threader better. You might be able to get away with cutting this type of pipe with a really powerful jigsaw that has the correct blade on it. Clamp the pipe down and begin cutting with your grinder. Finally, reverse the direction of the ratchet handle and continue turning it until it comes off of the pipe. Maintain a steady 90-degree angle, and make sure the pipe is fixed in place. 2. Metal splinters can easily irritate bare skin, so take the necessary steps to keep these areas covered. How do I check the threads after cutting? If you don’t feel any resistance, you probably need to push harder on the die head. You have a couple of different saw options when it comes to cutting a galvanized pipe. The "pipe thread size" as shown in column 3 of the table below is measured and based on the inside of the pipe. Loosen the jaws of the vise by turning the handle counterclockwise just far enough... 2. Mueller Streamline. If you're cutting or threading pipe, holding it in a vise is the best and safest way to keep it still. A ratcheting pipe threader consists of a long ratcheting handle that holds a circular die head at one end, which is a ring with several sets of teeth inside of it that cut the threads. LDR Industries. This will help the galvanized pipe to fit well with other piping or in the wood project you have adapted it for. Before you can begin cutting the galvanized pipe, you need to secure it in place, so it does not bend or move. If you don’t have all the equipment or don’t want to purchase or rent it, you can also have pipes threaded for you at a home improvement center. 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