Re: Speaking of Blacksmithing

On 6/15/2025 10:56 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:102mq8l$10cco$1@dont-email.me...
 On 6/14/2025 12:33 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

...

 For bending rod a piece of pipe is "okayish," but pipe is relatively
soft.
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I meant to slip it over the red hot end sticking up from the vise to tighten the corner of the bend, and protect your hands.
 Today's flea market treasure is a lightly used Ridgid 65-RA 1" to 2" adjustable pipe threading die.
https://www.zoro.com/ridgid-manual-pipe-threaders-1-in-to-2-in-rod-no- rod-bolt-no-bolt-36565/i/G2941495/?
 Reviews suggest it can be misused, it may be the type of tool the foreman shows you how to operate. The manual on line is for the later TC version with a goof-proof pipe centering clamp. Does anyone have experience using them, or sharpening the dies?

That's an expensive bit of kit.
I don't have to thread a lot of pipe these days.  I have a couple Harbor Freight sets for "heavy" threading, and some Chinese round dies that I had to make die handles for because every one was a different size.
Back when I worked in my dad's hardware store we had Rigid dies and ratcheting die holder, and a power drive with a large 3 jaw chuck.  I spent whole afternoons standing out in the sun threading pipe to fill special orders.
I also broke almost every stock piece of glass in the store once trying to cut a piece of glass for a customer window repair.  LOL.  The customer was standing over me the whole time.  I finally told him to go next door to the grocery store and get a soda or something.  All of a sudden the glass snapped just like it was supposed to.  By the time he got back I had reframed the panel and had it setting out front.
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Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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