Threading 2 1/2\" Pipe In Situ

Steamhead (in transit)

With the Ridgid 141 up in the air. What fun!

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Unknown

I don`t relish that job Gordo,

but I`ve done-it. Remember when you had to hand-crank those?, or misplace the machine w/Ujoint and spin the whole PV like a toy!
Customer says "only take you 5 minutes", isn`t pipe-fitting fun!

My new young apprentice says he can`t wait to use the 4 footers, even the old 65Rs(hanging upstairs), I say "yep, when the time comes, have at-er!", I`ll stick to the machines.

Dave

Brad White_202

Iron? Iron??? Gordo,

that takes brass. Big ones.

The end result though, that pipe never looked so good.

Steamhead (in transit)

We got this system running tonight

a plugged drip where the steam main jumped up caused water hammer at that point, which we think caused the leak and the 2-1/2" pipe-replacement job. We replaced the drip line all the way back to the boiler, it was plugged solid the entire distance.

The older Utica PEG-300 boiler had an old #67 low-water cutoff that had failed, been bypassed and superseded by a #47-2, and had filled with sludge. And the gauge and Pressuretrol were mounted on this failed #67, completely isolated from the boiler by the sludge. They were REAL lucky....... we replaced the #67 with a new one and wired it back in. Two LWCO units in a bar isn't a bad idea.

Also upgraded from those cute little Hoffman #4A mini-vents to Gorton #2 main vents- one for the short main, two on the longer one, and changed some radiator vents to balance the system. Now all the radiators heat more-or-less evenly with no more pressure than you can produce with your lungs.

We'll try to get fuel-savings numbers on this one too.

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Marc_17

Now you guys know why a first timer like me used a dresser coupling. Where am I supposed to get my hands on a machine like that?

Steamhead (in transit)

Call a pro

believe me, it's a LOT cheaper. ;-)

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Steamhead (in transit)

Don't Beat Yourself Up

over using those compression couplings. You did what you had to do. It doesn't look like there was enough room to spin a 141 anyway. (That is 2 1/2" pipe, right?)

For 2" pipe or less, threading equipment can be rented. It is much smaller and lighter than that 141!

For pipe 2 1/2" and above...that gets "interesting"...

That is why a lot of 2 1/2" pipe or larger is welded. You could get a welder to weld a flange on your cut ends.

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Steamhead (in transit)

I did very little

threading of the larger sizes of pipe before we founded All Steamed Up. We have the ratchet for that 141 for use if the 700 breaks down. Tried it. Once. You have my respect for doing it that way more than once, sir.

Still use the 65R. A nice machine for those one or two or four threadings on a job. As others have noted, the 12R dies in 2" and 1 1/2" leave something to be desired. Note: Ridgid only, please. No other threaders need apply.

Can't wait to use the 4 footers, eh? Let him try the S-8 compound wrench!

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Steamhead (in transit)

Thank You

Mr. White, sir.

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bob_46

Head

Billy, Gordo didn't post the photo of Steamhead's head slammed up against the floor joist cause the threader jammed! Great pictures guys. bob

Steamhead (in transit)

Nice try, Bob

the #141 is a "jam-proof" threader. That means it only jams up if there's no camera in use........

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Douglas Hicks

you cannot use groove-lok on steam? Ohh, I've shown my ignorance again.

Several years ago as I was threading 1/2 by hand, an old guy came up and told me he had run 8" steam, threaded by hand.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble with the 12R dies. The smaller ones are ok but i have always had mixed results with the 1 1/2 and 2". 1 1/4" is so=so. 65 R is a great tool and the dies last. No one in our shop but me will use it though cause they are heavy. I have even tried substituting the Reed R12 dies in the Ridgid 12R head (they are interchangable) with no better results. Have used the Ridgid 141 and toledo 41E (retty much the same tool) to thread in place with no problem.

The hand ratchet--takes a Loooooong time to cut a thread. Since we do a lot of welding we usuall weld a flange and then go threaded from their but not everyone welds.

Ed

EBEBRATT-Ed

The old jobs with the larger threaded pipe are something to see. I have herd that they used to set up strings for all the piping to get measurements and then cut and thread at the shop. Some of this was before electricity. They must have used steam power.