Note that you can use either a regular table vise or a pipe vise that is specially designed for holding piping in place. This method uses a ratcheting pipe threader to cut threads into the end of a pipe. A ratcheting pipe threader consists of a long ratcheting handle that holds a circular die head at one end, which is a ring with several sets of teeth inside of it that cut the threads. When you ratchet the handle, the die head spins onto the end of the pipe, cutting the threads as it goes on. If you don’t have all the equipment or don’t want to purchase or rent it, you can also have pipes threaded for you at a home improvement center.
You can just wear 1 work glove if you prefer to leave 1 hand bare to grip the handle of pipe threader better.
A reamer is a cone-shaped manual rotary cutting tool that removes the rough edges of a cut pipe as you rotate it around inside of the cut end.
A die head is the part of the pipe threader that actually cuts the threads. Ratcheting pipe threaders typically come with die heads in a few different common diameters. The face of the die head has numbers on it that indicate the size of pipe it is for. For example, if it says 1/2 on it, the die head is for threading 1/2-inch piping. You can purchase or rent a ratcheting pipe threader and die heads at a home improvement center or hardware store. An inexpensive ratcheting pipe threader with 5-6 different die heads costs between $40-$60 USD.
The ratcheting handle is the handle you use to move it around the end of the pipe to cut the threads in it.
Don’t worry about applying too much lubricant. You need a lot to get the job done, so just squirt away until you have completely saturated the outside end of the pipe that you are going to cut threads into.
If it’s hard to get onto the pipe, you can squirt some more threading oil onto the pipe and the middle of the die head to make it easier.
If you feel resistance as you do this, then you know the teeth are biting into the pipe and starting to cut the threads. If you don’t feel any resistance, you probably need to push harder on the die head.
Don’t be shy about squirting on the threading oil. You can’t use too much lubricant during this process.
If at any point you feel increased resistance while cutting, stop ratcheting and apply more threading oil to the exposed teeth of the die head.
When you have unscrewed the die head all the way, you can simply pull it to slide it off the end of the pipe.
You can also use a liquid pipe thread compound instead of Teflon tape to create a strong seal.
