Q&A for How to Thread Pipe

You can blow out some compressed air and spray some soapy water. If there are bubbles, there are leaks. You can also buy some specialized liquid chemicals at your local hardware store that can detect possible leaks.

Yes, the die is the same.

I usually do a visual examination and then test out the threads. Clean all of the oil and metal shavings off the thread you made and look closely at them for burrs or chips. These won't be a deal breaker. You can shave off a burr if it is too big and chips won't be a problem unless they catch on whatever you are screwing onto the pipe. After I look at the threads, I usually take a fitting (preferably the one that will be screwed onto those threads) and put it on hand tight. If it catches anywhere, give the fitting a small turn with a wrench to see if you can break past whatever is stopping you. I like to check with a second fitting if the first doesn't go just to be sure.

Sometimes. I like to tighten them a bit extra if the contents of the pipe are pressurized. If the fitting isn't a permanent fixture and will be removed and reused in the future, I only hand tighten it since brass is soft and it will warp over time.

Steel pipe can be sharp, so you may want to wear gloves. Keep your fingers away from any areas where they might be pinched or cut., either by tools or the pipe. Make sure to wash your hands when you're finished threading a pipe.

You can't thread the whole pipe, as the threads are tapered. You may get lucky and find a specialized straight thread pipe threading die, in which case you can thread the whole pipe, but you will have sharp threads.

Make sure you oil it enough. Maintain a steady 90-degree angle, and make sure the pipe is fixed in place. The metal shards are sharp, so having a bag underneath it if you're doing the work in a tight space is recommended. Also, consider wearing heavy-duty gloves to keep your hands from bruising.

You can use a die head to manually cut threads into a pipe. Start by securing the pipe firmly in a vise so it doesn't move when you're threading it. Then, use a pipe cutter or a hacksaw to cut the pipe to length. Select a die head that is of the appropriate size for the pipe you want to add threads to, then attach it to a ratcheting pipe threader handle. Lubricate the exposed teeth of the die head and then ratchet the handle until all the die head’s teeth have cut into the pipe. To remove the die head, pull up the little black knob next to it and turn it to reverse the direction of the ratchet handle. Ratchet it counterclockwise as far as it will go, then turn it back clockwise about 3/4 of the way, and keep going until you've unscrewed the teeth of the die head from the threads. That's all there is to it!

Yes, most home improvement stores or hardware stores can thread any pipe you need. Visit the plumbing department and choose the pipe you want. You may also be able bring your pipe into the store with you to have it threaded for a fee. Ask a staff member for assistance and they'll take you over to the pipe thread cutting machine. In a few short moments, you'll have professionally cut threads on your pipe. Keep in mind that most hardware stores have the ability to cut threads for you, so you may want to consider a local mom and pop store rather than a large corporate chain. But whichever option you choose, you can quickly and easily have your pipe threaded and ready to go.

If you're cutting or threading pipe, holding it in a vise is the best and safest way to keep it still. You can use either a regular table vise or a pipe vise that is specially designed for holding piping in place. Start by turning the handle of the vise counterclockwise to loosen it far enough to fit your pipe between the jaws. Place the pipe in the vise so the end you want to thread is sticking out. Then start turning the handle back clockwise to start tightening it. Keep tightening the vise until the pipe is held firmly and securely. Whenever you want to remove the pipe, simply hold the pipe to keep it from falling and turn the handle counter-clockwise to loosen the jaws. Once the jaws are wide enough, take the pipe out and you're all set.