Twist Damascus

[kbaknife]

I thought I might share a bit of a project I've been working on.
I bought a 220V Rigid pipe threader almost 5 years ago in Illinois. Four for sure.
To this day, I can find no info on it. It's smaller than all the others I have seen on the job site for 20+ years and it's 220V. The guy who was selling it could not find anyone to buy it for XX$$ because they all wanted to be able to take it to a job site and just plug it in, like most other pipe threaders, into temporary 110V.
So, I basically got it for a song.
Lucky me. That rarely happens.
I moved to upper Minnesota well over 2 1/2 years and I finally got tired of seeing this thing sitting in the corner.
I rigged up some attachments that I had been thinking about for some time and what you see here is the result.
It's a damascus bar that was 1 1/8" round before twisting and 1 1/4" after.
To twist this thing by hand would have been grueling and not nearly as neat and tidy.
And, I did it in one heat. 10 seconds and done.
This opens up a lot of possibilities and I do hope to take advantage of them.     :p  

This was 10 twists:

     

   


   

[Lin Rhea]

I look forward to seeing the end product Karl. Your method of twist will certainly have an impact on it.

[Track]

Keep us posted Karl. Looks like something real differet will come out of this.

[Bobby Urban]

um... can you get to beating that thing into a knife and show us what the pattern looks like - this thread is killing me!!  

[Fallguy]

Is there a number on it any place? I have never seen a 220 volt model. The only thing i can think of it was designed and built for production factory type setting where it would be wired up permit? We have a unit at work now that will thread 4" pipe, I think you could twist the bar without heat with that monster. I will be interested to see your results.  

[kbaknife]

Rob, this is a small unit. And there's something I can't figure out. All of the other Rigid threaders I've seen have a bar on each side to hold the pipe threading die holder. This makes sense. One on each side hold the die holder from turning.
The one I have only had one on one side!!!! How could that work?
It came to me on a Rigid stand. It was not intended for permanent mounting.
I'll check the unit for a number tomorrow. I did research it all I could a few years ago.

[Lin Rhea]

Karl, it would be interesting to cut a section of that bar and crush it end ways for a butt cap or guard. You certainly have the volume needed.

I sometimes will twist a bar this size but there's no way I can do it by hand to that number of twists. I twist it but I'm sweatin like crazy when doing it. AND using several heats.

Good stuff.

[kbaknife]

Lin - sh**! I wish I would have read this about an hour ago.
I flattened the entire bar.
Maybe next time.

I ended up with an anvil length bar about 1 3/4" wide X .340 thick.

 

 

[kbaknife]

The pipe threader is a Ridgid "200".

[Fallguy]

I will do some checking Karl.

[Antlerhog]

Can't wait to see what you do with this.

Jay

[Doug Campbell]

Can you maybe twist it tight the next time Karl...    :rolleyes:    

[tomsm44]

When you said "pipe threaded", I started having flashbacks and broke out in a cold sweat.  Your use for it sounds more fun.  Looking forward to seeing this pattern finished.

Matt

[Fallguy]

Here is what I have found Karl.

1. 220 Volt? It may have been built for the European market check the motor name plate if it says 50Hz it is a European model.

2. Only 1 tool support? The first models were built to be used with a standard hand threader. The machine turned the pipe why you held the threader handle.

3. Small size? They were built to be mounted on a standard Ridgid Tripod pipe stand.

They are the first generation threader the next model was the Ridgid 300. If you are interested find the serial number on the unit and contact Ridgid Tool. The early units were not sold with a foot switch if yours is one of those they will send you one for FREE.

I am looking forward to seeing the blade polished out.  

[kbaknife]

Rob, tell you what, I would not want to go anywhere near this thing with hand-held threading tools!!
If it got hold of ya' - you know what I mean.

Like I said, I got it on the tripod.

Where did you acquire that info about the free foot switch?? I would love that. A 220V foot switch can be a little pricey for something used once a month for 10 seconds. But it would surely come in handy for my use.

Thanks for that info.

[kbaknife]

Rob, the motor tag says:
"230 VAC AC or DC  25 to 60 CY"

[Fallguy]

I got the information on the Ridgid Tool Forum. I have thread there in the power tools discussion using the same handle. A foot switch would be a real limb saver.

[Fallguy]

With that motor information Karl I would say you what some would call a collector item. I would not why about that though I would smile every time you use it.

[kbaknife]

Of course, I have taken it off the tripod and mounted it to a steel I-beam saw horse, and I removed the tooling arm, but this is the unit and specs:

And the motor and frame number match:
 


 


 

[Fallguy]

That is the unit I found. It looks like it was meant for over seas sale the 25/ 60 CY is the give away. "CY" is the the old term for "Hertz" which is how fast the AC power is cycling. We use 60 HZ and Europe varies from country to country. As far as the horse power rating goes that baby can tip 2 horses geared down that slow. I would deferentially check out the foot switch offer from Ridgid Tool. That way when your feet come off the floor you only have 1/2 to a 3/4 revolution before your face meets the floor. I have seen 400 lb work bench flipped when guys did not brace the pipe right.