[AT] Spam> OT: Hand threading steel pipe

[John Hall]

 Being a machinist I agree with the comment about the quality of the pipe. 
We encounter quality issues with all types of materials these days. When we 
complain to the suppliers it is usually blamed on imported material or lack 
of competition between the US companies processing metal.

 We keep some of the dark thread cutting oil on hand but rarely use it. 
There is a product called Moly-Dee put out by Castrol that we use on hard to 
tap materials or very coarse threads. Possibly it would work better but 
can't guarantee it. We normally use it for tapping pipe threads, especially 
in stainless.

Out of curiosity, are the cutters for your die US, European, or Japanese 
made? Never seen any GOOD cutting tools from anywhere else.

John Hall


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <K7jdj at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:49 PM
Subject: [AT] Spam> OT: Hand threading steel pipe


> OK boys and girls,
>
> I occasionally get  involved in projects that require hand threading 1/2
> inch through 1 inch   black iron pipe.  Lately I have been having trouble 
> with
> the threads being  damaged.  I bought new cutters for my 3/4 inch die but
> still  having trouble.  The threads seem to get damaged toward the end of 
> the
> cutting process.  I try to get the shavings and chips removed and back off
> the cutter to "break" the chips loose but continue to have poor threads.
> I  use dark cutting oil and lots of air to clean the cutter.  Any
> suggestions?  A local plumber said it was mostly the "import" pipe and 
> that  hand
> cutting is difficult because of the lack of continuous motion when using a
> ratchet type of cutter.
>
> Gary
> Renton, WA
>
>