pipe threaders??

I need some advice from a pro. I have a shop that needs to be plumbed for my big air compressor. I priced copper but it is like gold. I could use 3/4 pipe but I do not have a pipe threader. I am in Mexico and there are no rental stores. I saw those ratcheting sets that are made in Taiwan but I do not usually buy those cheap tools. I will probably never need this tool again. I did see some used hand threaders for sale. One of them is a Beaver Beaverette. This is I think a very old tool, but it is supposed to be in good shape. There is only one die and from the picture it looks like you adjust this die for the various sizes of pipe. Is this a tool that will do the job? Are the Taiwanese/Chinese tools worth buying? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks: Moisheh

I own two sets of threading tools.....one are Ridgid.....the other is a $59 set from india I got from Harbor Freight.


Both work fine.......I actually used the cheap set from HF for some time before I bought the good ones and never had a problem with the dies prematurely wearing out or not providing a full thread.

Cutting oil is the key to keeping any set in good shape.

Most tools from Taiwan are very good. Mainland China is still in the process of getting the idea of quality. Some things are good, others are not. That said, for one-job, I'd go with the Harbor Freight. You will need a decent pipe vise, pipe cutter, reamer, and thread cutting oil. When you add up all of the things you must buy to do the job, including pipe and fittings, compare to copper. You're right about copper being as valuable a gold, but the tools to do the job with copper are much less expensive than for iron pipe. Whatever you, don't use PVC.

die

Until you get to 1" pipe, multisize dies are only good for one or two sizes, so the one you buy had better have capabilty for the pipe size you are using.

It is supposed to adjust from 1/8 to 3/4
Moisheh