I might be doing some 3/4″ black steel pipe work. I asked at Home Depot about it and the guy said it was no problem. I’ve heard of pipe threaders not cutting the threads right and having problems with leaks. Am I right to be concerned?
There is a plumbing supply house that I think I could have it done at.
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Replies
DH threaded pipe is a gambel...
under and over cut pipe with worn out pipe dies is a major problem...
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!!!
Like anything else, "it depends."
Here - Cedar City UT, the HD has a nice machine that is in good condition and IF it's operated by someone who knows what they are doing it comes out perfect.
If a guy who was working at Albertsons last month is trying to use it, not so good.
Old clapped out machine with an idiot driving probably not where you want to go.
So, how is your local HD?
For sure, cutting them by hand is no fun but sometimes it's the best solution.
Joe H
I can't answer the OP because I have never used HD for that, but what is the problem with hand threading it yourself? It is only ¾ afterall, a caveman could do it!
I do have the dies and a pipe vise which you need to do it, which some may not have, but if you have the stuff, I think doing it yourself is easier than dealing with the despot.
1 pipe yes, a bunch? No.
I have dies too, along with a lot of other tools I don't like to use.
Joe H
You dont like to thread the pipes? I find it relaxing.Why dont't you like your dies?
The only tools i don't like make obnoxious dust and noise,pipe threading just gives you a gentle workout.
If you got a good selection of nipples& fittings, you only have to thread a few yourself anyway.
Threading pipe is boring.
I'm too old for that kind of "fun", same for concrete and drywall.
Let somebody young and dumb have the fun, maybe they will learn something.
Joe H
I'm with you Joe.
I gave my pipe dies, cutters, vise, and all but one full set of wrenches to a young plumber friend. He will make some money with them, and I'll get a good break when he does the ug rough in on my house.
Doing gas line repairs/replacements in crawl spaces is not for me anymore. Let the young bucks have some fun :)
Dave
Gave my pipe vice to a friend years ago.
Someone gave it to me, I figured out why.
One of those 3 legged Rigid jewels.
Just lugging it around was too much work.
Joe H
There is a plumbing supply house that I think I could have it done at.
If you can, your chances are much better at the supply house. While I've had 2" black pipe threaded successfully at HD, it was pretty scary to watch. My application wasn't pressurized (oil tank supply and vent), so I don't know how my threads would stand up to, say, steam. In any event, I would rather gamble with the plumbing supply house.
Bob
I had about 120 feet of 3/4 black pipe cut at my HD for gas lines. All joints tested fine to low gas pressures. The fellow cutting was a retired plumber. The beauty is getting it cut on weekends.
Like anything I buy I check it before I leave. I double check the new keys I get. So I check the pipes I get cut. All you have to do is compare with a factory made end and if they look the same then you good.
Look at the machine they use. Shine and oil on the cutters is a good thing, nice crisp shaving from cutting the pipe is what to look for.
I just changed the cutting oil in my 1 HP pipe threader last month, takes 4 gallons.
Cut some threads on 1-1/2" pipe just before that and some threads tore out.
Had not changed the oil for probably 15 years, did make a difference.
Helped that I scored a 55 gal barrel of cutting oil free off craigslist last month too!!
Cutting threads with a machine vs by hand is like night and day.
So, moral of that story, if the cutting oil in the machine at HD is black, take a pass. If blue or red or yellow or purple, good to go.
I do have a 1/2" die but I don't have a 3/4". I usually just run a 1/2" somewhere to one appliance. I don't have a pipe vice. I could do it but it is a pain with out the right tools.
This is going to start something but here goes.... The project I've been doing went from a patio cover to a storage shed. When it was a patio cover the Gas meter was ok. but as soon as I started enclosing it alarm bells started going off that I just kept silencing.
I got my framing inspection Monday and the inspector said to vent the pressure regulator ahead of the meter to the outside. So I called the gas Co. to ask how they wanted it. I figured they would want a goose neck on it pointing down so far off the ground with a stainless steel screen in it.
They want to move it to the outside of the shed. I had the guy out today and we figured out where to spot it. It's the safest thing to do. So I'd like to pipe back to the house myself but I don't think the inspector will let me. I don't know any plumbers here. I have a permit to build a shed. I guess I need to call the inspector and see what he wants. I really dislike this whole liability stuff. If I need to get a plumber I'll ask at the plumbing supply house. Even if he does a good job I still won't like it.
So that's what is up. Let the comments fly.