How to Use Ridgid 463

Maintaining a proper welding gap between a length of pipe and an elbow ensures the correct amount of weld penetration in the joint. The Ridgid 463 elbow pipe vise allows you to position an elbow to one end of a length of pipe. After positioning, the vise holds the pieces in position while you tack weld the pieces together. After tack welding, you remove the vise and complete the weld to have a precisely aligned elbow.

• 1

  Turn the handle located of the straight side of the Ridgid 463 vise counterclockwise to loosen the holding chain from the chain lock. Set the chain over the end of a pipe. Hook the end of the holding chain to the vise.

• 2

  Hold the chain in the chain holder while you turn the vise handle clockwise. Continue turning until the vise remains on the pipe but is loose enough for you to slide along the pipe's length. Spin the Ridgid vise until the handles of the vise are facing the ground.

• 3

  Loosen the handle of the vise sitting in front of the open end of the steel pipe. Set a steel elbow into the open vise. Loop the end of the chain over the elbow. Turn the second vise handle clockwise to lock the elbow in the vise.

• 4

  Adjust the elbow to sit orientated to the end of the steel pipe.

• 5

  Turn the vise handle located beneath the steel pipe clockwise until the vise pulls tight to the bottom of the pipe. Spin the second handle clockwise to lock the elbow in position. Leave the vise installed to keep the joint aligned for welding.