Buying a pipe threader

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Todd0x1

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What threaders does everyone have?

We've got some stuff coming up that requires threaded GRC. Could have the supply house make all the pieces but man would it be nice to have a threader. Is there anything out there in the <$2,000 range that will do up to 2in, that is not a handheld?
 
When you say handheld do you mean something that is manual because they make handheld mechanical threaders we use the rigid 700 pretty much for everything

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nickelec said:
When you say handheld do you mean something that is manual because they make handheld mechanical threaders we use the rigid 700 pretty much for everything

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I think he means a pony threader. One of my techs at my last job loved his, but he wasn't doing anything over 1".

Ridgid-41935_01.jpg
 
I've used the Rigid machine, its good for a shop. the pony threader, oil bucket and tri-stand has been around a long time. One of our electricians got a Rothenberg USA treader, its much easier to use than the Rigid, has automatic stop when threading
This is the one we got https://rothenberger.com/us-en/electric-threading-machine-supertronic-2se.html, its fairly easy to transport and I like it a lot better than the Rigid machine or pony. Its made by a German company
 
That rothenberger one looks nice, was unaware of that brand. Zoro has it for $3k w/ dies. Wheeler rex also has a similar one. I need to get it new not used.
 
I have used or seen most of them. The Ridgid 700 is a good machine and they hold up well but are heavy.

Reed makes one that is pretty good, a lot lighter than the Ridgid, probably not made as well but uses the same ridgid or reed die heads which are interchangeable. The one we had held up pretty well

I have an older Collins hand held that is very good but they sold out to Rothenberger and they stopped making that model

Another excellent on is the REMS amigo. I have had it for years excellent tool lighter weight holds up well. But only take rems dies
 
I know you said you don’t want a pony threader, but Harbor Freight has one that Ridgid die’s fit for $200, if I remember correctly. I very seldom thread rigid, so it wasn’t worth plunking down big money for a Rigid set. I’ve had it for about 6 years now with no issues.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I know you said you don’t want a pony threader, but Harbor Freight has one that Ridgid die’s fit for $200, if I remember correctly. I very seldom thread rigid, so it wasn’t worth plunking down big money for a Rigid set. I’ve had it for about 6 years now with no issues.
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Good to know, I haven't seen that one
 
hillbilly1 said:
I know you said you don’t want a pony threader, but Harbor Freight has one that Ridgid die’s fit for $200, if I remember correctly. I very seldom thread rigid, so it wasn’t worth plunking down big money for a Rigid set. I’ve had it for about 6 years now with no issues.
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Good idea about a cheapo pony threader w/ good dies. Budget wise I may very well have to go this route, but it would be good to have a regular threader. Between rigid conduit, and having to thread various pipe on my own handyhvacplumberatrician projects I think I can swing it...maybe...
 
We have several types.

For handheld portable, we use a pony.

For stationary, somewhat portable, we use a 535 up to 2".

For stationary, somewhat portable, we use a 1224 for up to 4".

If you're just starting to get into this, I'd highly recommend the 535. They've been around for years and it has a self contained oiler, not like some of the 3 legged threaders(ridgid 300) with the separate oil bucket and hand pump. You'll never go back to those except when you use a pony after having a self contained oiler.

Lots of deals on craigslist for these used, they've been around for years. Ours is probably 20+ years old, we put a new motor in it a year ago and an oil pump a couple years ago. They are pretty darn bulletproof.

Run a search on searchtempest.com and see what you get.

This popped up over here, seems like a good deal to me:

seattle.craigslist.org

Pipe Threader Ridgid 535 - tools - by owner - sale

Selling my Ridgid 535--comes with 2 dice, (1/2 inch to 1 inch) and (1 inch to 2 inch). Great...
seattle.craigslist.org
 
Todd0x1 said:
That rothenberger one looks nice, was unaware of that brand. Zoro has it for $3k w/ dies. Wheeler rex also has a similar one. I need to get it new not used.
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Company I work for has some rothenbergerb, and they are awesome. Self contained Oiler , short and small, can fit and thread a lot closer to bends and 90s. Also will fit pvc coated rigid pipe unlike the 300.
 
Todd0x1 said:
What threaders does everyone have?

We've got some stuff coming up that requires threaded GRC. Could have the supply house make all the pieces but man would it be nice to have a threader. Is there anything out there in the <$2,000 range that will do up to 2in, that is not a handheld?
Click to expand...

How much pipe are you running and what size? I run small rigid pipe for most of my underground work and I don't own a threader and don't need one. I use threadless compression couplings and connectors on the cut pieces. With careful planning, you only need a few since the majority of the run will be full sticks that just screw together. I can do 100's of feet this way.

I didn't hear you mention a bender. If you are doing 1.25" or bigger, you're gonna need an electric bender. 1/2" and 3/4" easy to bend with a hand bender. 1" a bear, but possible.
 
Coppersmith said:
How much pipe are you running and what size? I run small rigid pipe for most of my underground work and I don't own a threader and don't need one. I use threadless compression couplings and connectors on the cut pieces. With careful planning, you only need a few since the majority of the run will be full sticks that just screw together. I can do 100's of feet this way.

I didn't hear you mention a bender. If you are doing 1.25" or bigger, you're gonna need an electric bender. 1/2" and 3/4" easy to bend with a hand bender. 1" a bear, but possible.
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Immediately, 1/2 and 3/4 for some underground work. As far as bender, anything bigger than 3/4 I'd use factory bends or have the supply house bend it (they have the cnc greenlee). Long term, who knows. On the personal side I have a bunch of water/gas/air stuff to do that will go up to 2in so I can use it there too. I can probably get away without having a threader, but I see having one paying for itself one way or another over a few years of ownership plus it will save me a ton of time.

I try to limit renting to the big ticket items. Funny how a $40,000 mini excavator and a $3,000 cement mixer both cost $200 to rent. I needed a 20in walk behind concrete saw. Was going to rent, but saw I would spend $300 or so the first time, and there was several future projects needing it and whitecap had one on sale so I bought it. Short payback time on that one. I'm following the Henry Ford "if you need a machine buy it, or you will find that you have paid for the machine but dont have it" as much as I can.
 
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