Pipe screw die: what it is and what it is used for
Even many experienced locksmiths have no idea what a screw die is, not to mention the average man in the street. And this tool can help you very much when laying a home pipeline. We will talk about how he can do this in this article.
General provisions
Let's begin, perhaps, with the function performed by the screw die - thread cutting. You can rightly argue that the appearance of plastic pipes in everyday life made the use of threaded joints unclaimed. So, polyethylene products are connected by special fittings for sewer pipes, and polypropylene - simply welded.
But everything is not so simple when it comes to reliability. To better understand what is at stake, take a look at the shortcomings of polyethylene and polypropylene:
Cons of using plastic pipes
- Temperature limitation. For polypropylene, the limit is 95 aboutC, and for polyethylene - 40 aboutC. In our severe winters, there are situations when the boiler house has to supply water that exceeds technical standards, which will undoubtedly lead to an accident. So for the heating system such an option to use pipes is very risky.
- Low resistance to mechanical stress. This immediately excludes the possibility of laying plumbing from plastic under the carriageway, as it will eventually be crushed. And in places open to contact, you will also have to be cautious, remembering the vulnerability of this material.
But the metal is not afraid of either high temperatures or excessive mechanical loads. But with him in the matter of connection is not so simple:
Types of steel pipe connections
Tip: It is recommended to use exclusively galvanized products to prevent damaging corrosive processes and the ingress of rust into the pipeline.
| Kind of compound | Benefits | disadvantages |
| Welding | Full tightness | Violation of the zinc layer, causing the pipeline to become vulnerable to corrosive processes |
| Thread | The possibility of dismantling | The need to use additional seals to achieve optimal sealing |
It is not as dangerous to use tow to eliminate a possible leak, as it is to damage the rust protection coating. In addition, not everyone knows how to use a welding machine with their own hands. Also important is the possibility of maintenance, which with a solid highway is very problematic. So with a clear margin wins the threaded connection.
Thread cutting tool
Of course, the lathe will perfectly cope with threading, but many problems are connected with its use, the most important of which is its absence. So there is a die or a screw die.
Definition
If the die has the form of a small cylinder of high-quality tool steel with internal cutters and chip grooves, and the outside with holes for fixing holders, the screw die is just one incisor with a holding mechanism that simplifies the work.
Thus, in spite of the fact that the price of the screw-die may be higher than the plate, as a result you still save. Since in it an expensive material is used only for a working expenditure part, and the die consists entirely of it and is thrown away after it has worked.
Kinds
| Name of the screw die | Description |
| Simple manual | Ring with clips for cutters and handles, looks very much like a regular die |
| Hand-held ratchet | A ratchet has been added to the ring, allowing you to use the tool with one hand |
| Electric | In this case, the entire instruction is reduced to fixing the pipe in the corresponding groove, the rest will be done by an electric drive. |
Tip: when choosing between a simple tool and a ratchet equipped, it is recommended to stop at the first one, since it is much safer and more practical.
Terms of use
Now we will understand how to use the pipe screw die.
To do this, it will be enough to follow several rules:
- Before you cut the threads on the pipe with a screwdriver, you must roll it with a file by turning it, crimping it with a gas wrench or other available method.
- Grease the cutting site with grease - this will improve the quality of the cut thread and extend the life of the cutters themselves.
- When you buy new cutters, stop at the manufacturer of the holder. In the opposite case, they simply can not be in the grooves tightly.
- When working with the end of the pipe of the existing pipeline, hold it with a gas wrench so as not to tear it off.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that plastic sewers are very popular today due to their low cost and ease of processing, metal remains more practical and reliable. The best connection for them is a threaded one, which in turn is most convenient to cut with a screw die. The types and features of such a tool are described above.
The video in this article will introduce you to additional materials. Use the most convenient tools for working with plumbing!