Ridgid Pipe Threading Tools

• Taps and dies create female and male threads on pipe ends. Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

  Two types of thread can be created by Ridgid tools: male threads surround the outside end of a pipe, and female threads surround the inside end of a pipe. A device called a tap creates the female thread, while a die creates a male thread. Ridgid reamers are also available. Both types of thread can be produced in the home workshop.

Ridgid Tap

• A tap is a cylindrical piece of metal, with threads at one end. The tap is inserted into a predrilled hole, and turned clockwise to create the female thread on the walls of the hole. Three main types of taps exist: the tapered tap has chamfered threads at the end to make it easier to enter the predrilled hole; the plug tap has fewer chamfered threads at the end, and is used most commonly to create female threads; the bottoming tap has the fewest chamfered threads at the end, and is used to cut threads almost to the bottom of the predrilled hole.

Ridgid Die

• A die is a cylindrical piece of metal roughly three inches long, with a hole through its center. This hole has threads on its side that cut into the outside end of a pipe. The pipe is inserted into the die, and the die turned clockwise to create the male thread. The die has a handle attached on one side, which helps turn the die to cut the threads.

Ridgid Reamer

• A reamer is made of metal and tapered to a point. Spiralling blades exist along the tapered point. The point of the reamer is inserted into the end of the cut pipe, and the reamer turned clockwise to remove any metal burrs from the end of the pipe.