First Time Using a Pipe threader

[Bioman]

First time using a Rigid 535 pipe threader and I'm getting weird results. I must be doing something wrong, It came with 1" - 2" cutters installed; I'm doing 3/4" black pipe so I swapped those out for the right cutters. No manual with the unit, but I believe I got them installed right. When the cutting is done and the pipe is flush with the end of the die I pop the die open and there is a ridge of thick shavings clinging to the rear 2/3 rds of the threads, when I brush these away a raised spine is left. Also the threads don't seem as deep as those on the pre-threaded pipe I have. I have the lever set to 3/4" for pipe diameter.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Caduceus]

It sounds like you may not have the right size of chasers or they need to be adjusted. Use a pre-threaded nipple to check the spacing. With the die set to thread see if you can spin a nipple into the die head. If it is too tight you may need to loosen the screws that set the chasers and thread the nipple in approx. 5 threads, tighten the screws and then unthread the nipple from the head. Of course it would be a lot easier to figure out what's going on if we could be there to see first hand.
The steel shavings are normal just be sure to use plenty of cutting oil and check your threads on each cut.
If you're going to be using this machine more in the future it wouldn't hurt to call Ridgid and ask for a complete manual or even download one from the interweb.
Hope this was helpful.

 

[Bioman]

I'll try adjusting the cutters with the nipple in place.

 

[Bioman]

If your ever in Texas in the Waco area stop by, I owe you a "good cigar"

Adjusting die as you noted did the trick!

Another question please. The test fittings are going on quite easy now; but I am seeing an occasional damaged thread (as in a 1/4" long section of the spiral missing, just a single thread width. Is this unusual or will pipe dope take up the slack.
Also, do you stop the threading operation when the pipe face is flush with the die or go two threads over as someone suggested to me?

 

[Caduceus]

I'm not familiar with what could cause the defect that you described, but I never expect pipe dope to be a remedy for a bad thread . If you run the threads again it may remove the problem. Also, good support of the pipe and use of the pipe holder at the back of the threader will ensure clean threads. I always go a few threads past for 1" and larger to get 11 threads and a little further with 1/2" and 3/4" to get 14 threads. You will get a better feel for it as you use the machine. Just don't go too short or too long. If you bury the pipe too deep or too shallow into the fitting, leaks are more likely. When starting the thread into the fitting my rule of thumb is at least 2 1/2 turns by hand to be sure the threads are good, before needing a pipe wrench.
By running the pipe through the die again it will not change the depth of the existing threads, but should remove defects and there is no harm in doing so. On the other side of things if you thread a pipe into a fitting, remove it, thread it in again, etc. you are in a small way over-working the threads of the fitting.They are malleable and I have experienced leaks in fitting connections from re-used fittings. It does not make me feel good to tell somebody " I told you so..." but it gets the message across when my warning is ignored and they use the fitting again anyways.
I would like to hear from others in our forum regarding threading as I'm sure there should be some fitters that could share some really good advice. Those guys really know the ins and outs of threading.