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Dies for steel and iron pipe.

While poor dies will break the threads on iron pipe, steel pipe threads will tear off, making it necessary to have sharp dies for steel pipe. Although dies that will do good work on steel pipe, may also be used on iron pipe, blunt dies that will work well on iron pipe cannot be used on steel pipe.

Cutting oil.

A great many oils are advertised for this purpose, some of which are entirely unfit for the purpose. It is poor policy to attempt to economize too closely on cutting oil. Straight lard oil is the best oil every time, and will be the least expensive in the long run, as it cuts more perfect threads, and is not so hard on dies and men.

The strong point of cutting oil is that it shall have body, which in many of the oils advertised, is lacking, even though the oil looks well.

In case of an emergency, tallow can be made to take the place of lard oil.

To start a hard thread.

This may often be accomplished by heating the fitting and then running into the thread a little beeswax, which will penetrate and usually enable the joint to be unscrewed.

To cut a thread a little smaller than standard.

This can be done by inserting a narrow strip of tin between the die and pipe on one side. This will force the opposite side of the die to cut a little deeper.

To cut a crooked thread.

Occasionally the plumber wishes to change the direction of his pipe, but not sufficiently to call for the use of a special fitting. In this case the work may be done with a crooked thread, which can be cut by using a loose bushing.

This was taken from the book "Questions and Answers on the Practice and Theory of Sanitary Plumbing, Volume III, Practical Wrinkles" which was published in 1919.

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