Setting/Adjusting Groove Diameter; Stabilizer Operation - RIDGID 918 Manual

8. Restrict access or set up guards or barriers to create
a minimum 3' (1m) clearance around the equipment
and pipe. This helps prevent non-operators from
contacting the equipment or pipe and reduces the risk
of tipping or entanglement.
9. With dry hands, plug the power drive/threading ma-
chine into a properly grounded outlet.

Setting/Adjusting Groove Diameter

Due to differing pipe characteristics, a test
NOTI E
groove should always be performed before the first groove
of the day or when changing pipe size, schedule, material,
or lot to reduce the risk of out of tolerance grooves. Groove
diameter must be measured to confirm proper size.
1. Confirm that equipment is properly set up and pipe is
properly prepared and loaded. Improper set up and
preparation can affect accuracy of groove diameter
settings.
2. Groove roll should be lightly gripping the pipe. If
needed, advance the groove roll to just touch and
lightly grip the pipe – it should not be making an in-
dentation in the pipe, do not apply excessive pressure.
3. Rotate the depth adjustment nut until it stops against
main housing.
4. Back the depth adjustment nut off one turn (Figure 16).
Increase Groove
Increase Groove
Diameter Diameter
Figure 16 – Depth Adjustment Nut Setting
5. Make a test groove.
6. Inspect/measure the test groove. If the groove diam-
eter is not in specification, the depth adjustment nut
must be repositioned to give the correct groove di-
ameter. See Figure 16.
• To increase groove diameter (shallower groove),
turn the depth adjustment nut clockwise.
• To decrease groove diameter (deeper groove),
turn the depth adjustment nut counter-clockwise.
999-998-946.10_REV. C
7. Repeat steps 4-6 until the groove diameter is within

Stabilizer Operation

The stabilizer is used to apply slight force to 2
pipe to improve tracking. It is especially useful for short
pieces of pipe, but can be used on all lengths of pipe.
The stabilizer also reduces the swaying of longer, larger
diameter pipe.
The stabilizer can only be used with the machine REV/O-
OFF/FOR switch in the REV position (pipe rotation
marked on groover, Figure 17). If used with the ma-
chine REV/O-OFF/FOR switch in the FOR position, the
pipe will spiral/track out of the groove rolls.
1. Properly set up equipment and load pipe.
2. Set groove diameter.
3. Rotate the stabilizer crank handle to bring the roller
Decrease Groove Decrease Groove
Diameter Diameter
4. Groove pipe. During use, keep hands away from
Each Mark
Approx. 0.002"
(0.05mm)
918 Roll Groover
• Each ¼ turn of the depth adjustment nut changes
the groove diameter approximately 0.025" (0.6 mm).
Moving the nut one mark on the circumference
changes groove diameter approximately 0.002"
(0.05 mm).
specifications. If the groove is too large, the groover
can be adjusted and the groove made smaller. If the
groove is too small, another groove will need to be
made. Proper groove diameter is important to insure
connection performance. Out of specification grooves
could cause joint failure.
in contact with the pipe. Rotate the crank handle
an additional one (1) turn to preload the roller against
the pipe (Figure 17). Do not reach across the pipe to
adjust the stabilizer.
the groove rolls, stabilizer wheel and end of pipe. Do
not groove pipe shorter than specifications and do not
reach inside pipe or touch the groove. This reduces
the risk of crushing injuries.
If during grooving the pipe does not track properly,
step off foot switch and stop grooving. Set up a new
groove and rotate the crank handle an additional
one half ( 1 / ) turn to increase preload. Do not use ex-
2
cessive preload. This can damage the roller.
Once the stabilizer is set for a given size and type of
material, it generally does not need to be readjusted
or backed off when pipe is loaded and unloaded.
1 / " to 12"
2
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