The following is a video presentation of your operators manual designed to make the operation
of your 300 compact easy, safe and efficient. The RIDGID 300 compact threading machine is designed
to thread 1/8 inch to 2 inch pipe and quarter inch to 2 inch bolt stock. Warning: other uses
may increase the risk of injury. Before assembling or operating the 300 compact, be sure to read the
operator's manual. Safety instructions are located in the front of the manual, read and understand
all the safety and operating instructions before operating the 300 compact, read all labels on the
300 compact. For your convenience this videotape is divided into the following 5 segments, so you
can quickly find what you need. Machine setup, machine inspection, installing dyes into the
811 a die head and installing the die head. Operation of the 300 compact and maintenance.
Machine setup. Note the 300 compact must be mounted to a stable stand or bench. To mount
the 300 compact, onto the 250 folding wheel stand, put the stand into the raised position. Place the
machine on the stand with the carriage and tools toward the pneumatic Pistons.
Position the J shape steel hooks on the rear of the machine, so the hooks face the pneumatic Pistons and wrap securely around the horizontal support of the stand. Attach the 10 millimeter hex bolts and
tighten securely. Position the front plate so the machine oil drain plug, is aligned with the drain
plug hole on the plate. The locking bar should be locked into the raised position locking holes on
the inner leg of the stand. Attach the plate with the 10 millimeter hex bolts and tighten securely.
To insert the pressure plate, remove the chip tray and slide the tongue of the plate under
the 300 compact hammer wheel. Force the spring clip down and onto the front edge of the body,
casting. The rubber seal on the bottom of the pressure plate, will cover the drain holes in
the drip tray. The oil seal pressure plate must be used when transporting the 300 compact on
the 250 stand, otherwise the oil may spill out of the machine. To lower the 250 with the 300
compact mounted. Stand at the carriage end of the machine. Squeeze the locking bars together
to disengage from the holes. Push down from a horizontal stand bar to lower. Once in the
lowest position lock into place. Squeeze the locking bars together, to disengage from the
holes. Pull up on the horizontal stand bar to raise. Machine inspection, to prevent serious
injury, inspect the 300 compact threading machine on a daily basis. Make sure the threading machine
is unplugged and the directional switch is in the off position. Clean the speed Chuck jaws
with a wire brush, inspect the jaw inserts for excessive wear, refer to the maintenance
instructions if they need to be replaced. Note: for plastic and other coded work pieces special
jaw inserts should be used to prevent coating damage. Make sure the foot switch is present
and attached to the machine. Warning: do not operate this machine without a foot switch.
Inspect the power cord and plug for damage, if the plug has been modified is missing
the grounding pin or if the cord is damaged, do not use this machine until the cord has
been replaced. Inspect the machine for any broken missing misaligned or binding part
as well as any other conditions that may affect the safe and normal operation of the machine. If
any of these conditions are present, do not use this machine until any problem has been
repaired. Lubricate the machine if necessary according to the maintenance instructions.
Use tools and accessories that are designed for this machine and meet the needs for the
application, accessories designed for use with other equipment may be hazardous when use with
this machine. Clean any oil, grease or dirt from all handles and controls. Inspect the cutting
edges of the tool and eyes, if necessary have them replace prior to using this machine. Clean
metal shavings another debris from the chip tray. Check the level and quality of the thread
cutting oil, replace or add oil if necessary. The reservoir in the base will hold approximately five
quarts of thread cutting oil. Note: if using the 250 folding Stan, be sure to remove the
oil seal pressure plate. Note: thread cutting oil lubricates and cools the threads during
the threading operation. A dirty or poor grade cutting oil can result in poor thread quality.
Note: to drain dirty oil and properly maintain the oil system, refer to the maintenance instructions.
Installing dyes. The 811 a universal quick opening dye head, for right-hand threads requires four
sets of dyes ranging from 1/8 inch through two inches. One set of dyes is required for each of
the following pipe size ranges: 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch and 1 inch
through 2 inch. A left-hand Universal die head is required to cut left hand pipe threads, however 1/8
inch pipe ties are not available for the left-hand die head. Both reading requires a separate set of
dies for each bolt size, no bolt dyes are available for left-hand Universal die heads. Lay the die head
on a bench with the numbers facing up. Flip the throw out lever to the open position, loosen the
clamp lever approximately 3 turns, lift the tongue of the lever washer up out of the slot, under the
size bar. Slide the throw out lever all the way to the end of the slot in the over direction
indicated on the size bar. Insert the dies to the mark on the sides of the die. Die numbers
1 through 4, must agree with those on the head. Slide the throw out lever back, so that the tongue
of the clamp lever washer, will drop in the slot under the size bar. Adjust the slide bar until the
index line on the link, is aligned with the proper size mark on the size bar. Tighten the clamp lever.
For both threads, align the index line with the bolt line on the size bar. If oversize or
undersized threads are required, set the index line in the direction of the over
or undersized mark on the size bar. Install the die head by inserting the post, into the mating
hole in the carriage, the spring-loaded ball will hold the die head in place.
Operation of the 300 Compact. Warning: operator should be thoroughly familiar
with the proceeding safety information, before attempting to operate this machine. Failure
to do so, may result in electric shock fire and/or serious personal injury. Do not wear
gloves or loose clothing when operating this machine, keep sleeves and jackets buttoned. Do
not reach across the machine or pipe. Keep hands away from rotating pipes and fittings.
Stop the machine before wiping pipe threads or screwing on fittings. Allow the machine to come
to a complete stop before touching the pipe or machine chucks. Do not use this machine to make
or break fittings. Guard or barricade the area when the workpiece extends beyond the machine.
A three-foot clearance around the Machine and workpiece is ideal. Use only three wire extension
cords, that have three prong grounding plugs and three pole receptacles that accept the machines
plug. Keep bystanders, children and visitors away while operating a threading machine. Wear safety
glasses and rubber soled non-slip shoes. Do not use if the foot switch on/off switch or ground
plug is broken or missing. To prevent serious injury, proper setup of the Machine and work
area is required. Check work area for adequate lighting, grounded electrical outlet, clear path
to the electrical outlet, dry place for the machine and operator. Do not use this machine in standing
water. Flammable liquids, vapors or dust that may ignite. Place the machine on dry level ground.
Position a foot switch, so the operator can safely control the machine tools and workpiece. Make sure
the reverse off forward switch, is in the off position. Plug the power cord into a grounded
outlet, if the power cord cannot reach the receptacle use a heavy-duty 14 gauge three
wire extension cord that will accept the machine plug. Swing the cutter, reamer and
die head to the up position. Measure and mark the pipe to be worked. If the pipe is long enough to
be retained by the centering device, insert the pipe through the front or rear of the machine.
If the pipe is short, insert into the front of the machine. Insert the pipe so that the end to
be worked or the cutting mark is located about 12 inches to the front of the speed chuck jaws.
Warning: support long lengths of pipe with pipe supports, use a RIDGID vs ninety-nine
stand. Tighten the rear centering device around the pipe, by using a counterclockwise rotation
of the hand wheel, at the rear of the machine. Secure the pipe by using repeated and forceful
counterclockwise spins of the speed chuck hand wheel, at the front of the machine. To cut pipe
with the 360 cutter, move the pipe cutter onto the pipe and move the carriage lever to line up the
cutter wheel with the mark on the pipe. Tighten the cutter feed screw handle on the pipe. With
the forward/off/reverse switch in the forward position, depress the foot switch and start the
machine. Slowly turn the cutter feed screw handle, until the pipe is cut off, then stop the machine.
Return the cutter to the up position.
Terrine pipe with the 3:44 reamer, swing the reamer arm down into the reaming position.
Extend the reamer by pressing the latch and sliding the knob toward the pipe, until the
latch engages the bar. Position the reamer into the pipe and complete the reaming, by
pushing the carriage lever with your right hand. Retract the reamer bar and move the reamer out
of the way. To thread pipe, lower the die head into the threading position. Oil to lubricate
and cool the pipe, will automatically flow through the die head. Note: oil flow can be
adjusted with the oil flow control valve located on the backside of the carriage.
Engage the dies on the pipe, using the carriage lever. For the quick opening die head, raise the
throw out lever to the open position, when the thread is completed. The self opening die head
will automatically open, when the die head contacts the end of the pipe. For the 816 812 semi automatic
opening head, simply tap the lever to open the dies, when the dies are Fleiss with the piece
being threaded. Move the carriage lever away from the pipe end and move the die head out of the way.
Use repeated and forceful clockwise spins of the speed chalk hand wheel, at the front of the machine,
to release the pipe jaws. If necessary loosen the rear centering device, using a clockwise rotation
of the hand wheel at the rear of the machine. If possible, the thread should be checked with
a thread ring gauge. A proper thread is cut when the end of the pipe is plus or minus, one turn
of being flush with the face of the ring gauge. If a ring gauge is not available, a fitting can
be used. The fitting should be the same as those used on the job. The pipe thread should be cut to
obtain two to three turns, hand tied engagement with the fitting. If the pipe thread is not the
proper diameter, the index link should be moved to the over or undersized mark on the size bar.
Maintenance. Before performing maintenance on the 300 contact, make sure the machine is unplugged
and the directional switch is in the off position, When the teeth on the jaw inserts become worn and
fail to hold pipe or rod during operation, you need to replace the jaw inserts. To remove the worn jaw
inserts, place a screwdriver in the insert slot and turn 90 degrees in either direction. Install
the new Springs and locking pins into the jaw. Place the new insert sideways on the locking
pin and press down as far as possible. Hold the insert down firmly and rotate the insert using
a screwdriver, turning until the teeth face up. make sure to clean the teeth of the jaw inserts
daily, with a wire brush, Proper lubrication is essential for trouble-free operation and long
life of the 300 compact. Using a good grade of cup grease, grease the main shaft bearings every
2 to 6 months, depending upon the amount of use. Grease fittings are provided at each end of the
shaft. Note: to help assure proper operation of the threading machine, heat the oil system clean as
follows: replace thread cutting oil when it becomes dirty or contaminated. To drain the oil, position a
container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug. Keep the oil filter screen clean, to assure
proper flow of the clean oil. Do not operate this machine without the oil filter screen. Note: do
not disassemble the oil pump, the pump should be disassembled only by a RIDGID authorized service
dealer. To clean the oil system reservoir, place a container under the chip pan drain plug. Remove
the drain plug and drain the oil, slide out the tip tray. Lift up and remove the insert tray,
Use a putty knife to remove the pipe scale metal shavings and dirt. Remove the oil filter and clean
the screen. Use a putty knife to remove sludge buildup on the bottom of the tip tray. Check the
motor brushes every six months and replace when they are worn to less than 1/2 inch.
Note: service and repair work on this threading machine must be performed
by qualified repair personnel. The machine should be taken to our RIDGID independent
authorized service center or return to the factory.