Why Your Threader is Chipping Threads and How to Prevent It

Chipped threads are one of the most frustrating issues when cutting pipes and bolts. Chips can compromise performance, damage your equipment, and slow down your production. So, how can you prevent chipping? And what causes chipped threads in the first place?

Keep reading to learn about the most common reasons your threading machine may be causing chipped threads. Then, find out what you can do to prevent future issues and ensure your threading operations can continue chip-free.

What Causes Threads to Chip?

There are many possible reasons your threading machine is experiencing issues. Understanding and identifying what is causing thread chips can help you resolve the problem.

Worn or Dull Dies

One of the most common issues behind chipped threads stems from worn or dull dies. As dies are used, they wear down. When this happens, they can lose their ability to create clean cuts. Additionally, dull dies create excessive heat, which can compromise the material. Together, this creates a recipe for disaster: tearing and overstressing the thread form.

Incompatible Cutting Oil

Oil is essential for pipe and bolt threading operations. Its primary purpose is to reduce heat and friction. Using the wrong oil—or skipping it altogether—can allow for heat and friction to build. Improper oil lubrication can cause damage to dies and die heads, which results in chipped threads.

Improper Threading Speeds

Using your threading machine at the correct speed is critical. Too much speed can cause the die to overheat and tear at the material, even with proper lubrication. However, operating at too slow a speed can result in the die pushing the material instead of cutting, which leads to distortion. Using the correct speed will result in clean and consistent cuts without chipped threads.

Misalignment or Worn Machine Components

If any components of your threading machine are misaligned or out of place, this can cause your equipment to experience an uneven balance of pressure and increase the likelihood of inconsistent threading. Worn machine components are at a higher risk of misalignment, so be sure to use replacement parts to keep your threading machine aligned and in proper working condition.

Insufficient Chip Management

Accumulated chips from previous threading operations can clog the threading area, which can increase cutting resistance and cause dies to jam. Do not allow an excessive amount of chips to build up around your equipment, as this can lead to further chipping.

How to Prevent Chipping from Your Threading Machine

There are several steps you can take to protect your threading machine and help prevent thread chipping.

Maintain and Resharpen Dies

Because a worn or dull die is often at the center of chipping-related issues, keeping your dies in top shape is one of the most important actions to prevent chipped threads. Early resharpening prevents chips and extends your tool’s lifespan. At Oster, we offer die resharpening services to reshape dies up to 8 times, ensuring a long and functional lifespan.

Use Proper Cutting Oil

Always use the correct thread cutting oil for your threading operations, as proper lubrication and heat dissipation are critical to prevent chipping. Oster’s BESTOIL is chemically engineered with suspended sulfur for efficient heat transfer and better die performance. Our specialty oil blend helps maintain clean, sharp threads while increasing die life and necessitating fewer resharpens.

Maintain Component Alignment

Perform regular inspections and routine maintenance of your threading machine to check for misalignment or worn components. Take advantage of Oster’s refabrication services to restore threading machines to factory alignment and performance.

Use a Machine Built for Production

Your threading machine needs to be built for your operations. Often, a lightweight or non-commercial machine can’t withstand the demands of continuous industrial use. The Oster 700LX Series offers heavy-duty capabilities, full die-head oiling, and improved chip control using removable trays for easy cleaning. Designed for high-volume production, these durable threading machines feature easy-to-use controls and can stand up to even the most demanding operations.

Why Switch to an Oster Threading Machine?

We’ll tell you! When you choose Oster, you’re also choosing:

Over 125 years of manufacturing experience and expertise.
Threading machines that are built to last.
Purpose-built machines for specific operations.
High accuracy and precision.
Simplified operations and easy-to-understand manuals.
Long-term functionality in demanding factory production environments.

At Oster, we provide you with the best machines, oils, dies, and accessories to ensure your threading applications perform at peak operation every time.

Oster Threading Machines: Quality You Can Count On

Need help? Talk to Oster! Founded in 1893, we have decades of knowledge and expertise to assist you with any issues or questions. We offer free technical assistance by phone or email, and provide additional support with manuals, replacement parts, and threading advice—all supported by real technicians. Our pipe threaders are built to last decades, delivering unrivaled quality, reliability, and accuracy. Find the right threading machine model for your needs at Oster!

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