TPi May 2014

Ridgid – company background

tools in more than 4,000 models and sizes, ranging from the original Ridgid pipe wrench to pipe/tubing tools, pressing tools for joining copper tubing, pipe and drain cleaning equipment and the latest diagnostic inspection and locating tools. The company’s products are distributed on six continents and in more than 155 countries. Markets are served from a 125,000ft 2 central distribution facility in central Ohio. Other stocking warehouse locations include Europe, Canada, Central and Latin America, Australia, the Middle East, Japan, the Far East and Africa.

Ridgid products are sold to end users through professional tool distribution and large retail channels. In the USA, Ridgid tools are available at over 4,000 distributor locations. The company manufactures products on three continents to serve the world market. The main manufacturing facility and world headquarters are in Elyria, Ohio, where pipe working products are produced. Other US manufacturing facilities are located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Orange, Virginia. Overseas manufacturing facilities include Sissach, Switzerland; Gevelsberg, Germany; Cluj- Napoca, Romania; and Shanghai, China.

Ridgid has been manufacturing and selling tools to the pipe working and contracting industry since 1923, when it was founded in North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA, to manufacture a revolutionary style of heavy-duty pipe wrench. Since then, the company has developed into one of the world’s largest suppliers of tools to the professional trades. As time passed, the company expanded its product line to include many other tools. In 1943, growth was such that the company had to move its headquarters to its current facility in Elyria, Ohio. Ridgid manufactures over 300 different

Step 7: Ream the pipe Reaming of steel pipe is required by code. Removing the steel burr (created when cut by a pipe cutter) on the inside diameter of the pipe allows for unrestricted flow of fluids, steam and wires that may be intended to go through the pipe. To begin the threading operation, ensure your die head has the corresponding size of dies for the diameter of pipe. Next, set your die head to accommodate this size. As a reminder, threading 1 / 8 " to 2" pipe requires four sets of dies: 1 / 8 " – 27 threads per inch (TPI); 1 / 4 " to 3 / 8 " – 18 TPI; 1 / 2 " to 3 / 4 " – 14 TPI; and 1" to 2" – 11 1 / 2 TPI. The ream is completed when you see the burr has been removed. Step 8: Threading the pipe To begin threading, pull the die head down so it sits on the carriage. Prior to advancing the die head, start the machine to begin rotating the pipe in a forward, counter-clockwise direction. Next, advance the die head to the rotating pipe. Apply pressure after the throat of the dies makes contact with the end of the pipe. Note: the dies are designed to engage the end of the pipe at this point. That is what allows you to cut the thread under the power of the rotating pipe. A standard-length thread is typically completed when the last tooth on the dies comes flush with the end of the pipe. This will give you a standard length of thread, allowing you to manually thread on a coupling (approximately three turns, using a pipe wrench to tighten completely). As a special side note, it is important that you use quality thread-cutting oil when threading. Not only will it lubricate the pipe, allowing for the dies to cut through the material with greater ease, but it will also perform a flushing function, moving chips away from the work to minimise torn threads. Additionally, threading oil ‘cools the work’, keeping dies from heating up during metal-to-metal operation.

Finally, if threading various material types, it is important that you use the best oil for the operation. Motor oils, lathe coolants and water are not suitable for threading.

Step 9: Cutting the pipe Once the pipe is threaded, cut the pipe to your desired length. To do so, make sure the pipe is not rotating, then pull the pipe cutter down on the carriage and place over the pipe. Close the cutter wheel up to the wall of the pipe and begin rotating the pipe forward. Once the pipe is moving, advance the cutter wheel until it breaks through the inner wall of the pipe. (Note: Do not stop rotating the pipe until the cut has been made completely through its wall). Once the cut has been made, you are ready to perform the next task on the uncut end.

Ridgid – USA www.ridgid.com

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL May 2014

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