Swagelok Manual Coning and Threading Tool

Safety

This manual contains important information for the operation of the Manual Coning and Threading Tool (IPT Series). Users should read and understand the contents before operating the coning and threading tools.

WARNING Statements that indicate a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION Statements that indicate a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE Statements that indicate a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in damage to the equipment or other property.

WARNING
Danger of eyes being injured by sharp-edged metal chips.
Eye protection must be worn while operating or working near the equipment.

WARNING
Danger of being injured by rotating parts when using coning tool with power drill.
Keep hands, loose clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from rotating and moving parts.

CAUTION
Danger of being injured by sharp cutting edges of coning blade and metal chips.
Do not remove chips or tubing from the work area when the tool is still rotating. Remove chips with chip brush.

CAUTION
Fingers can be injured.
Do not place fingers or hands near the coning blade while operating the coning tool.

Safety Alert Symbols Used in This Manual

Safety alert symbol indicating a potential personal injury hazard.
Manual Coning and Threading Tool (IPT Series) User’s Manual 3

General Information

Description
The manual coning and threading tool is designed to cone and thread 1/4, 3/8, and 9/16 inch Swagelok® IPT series tube in order to make tube nipples. The tools are designed with interchangeable coning blades, bushings and threading dies.

CAUTION
IPT series medium- or high-pressure tube must be used with the IPT series manual coning and threading tool to ensure proper performance.

Coning and Threading Kit Contents

Coning tool

• Driver / blade holder
• Drive nut
• Handle
• Housing
• Manual coning adapter and fasteners (ships installed in 3/8 in. tube vise)
• Power adapter

Threading tool

• Housing
• Handles (2)

The following components are provided for 1/4, 3/8, and 9/16 inch tube:

• Coning gauges (4)
• Coning tool bushings (3)
• Threading tool bushings (3)
• Tube vise (3)

General

• 6 in. ruler
• Chip brushes (6)
• Cutting fluid
• Deburring tools (2)
• Hex keys (3)
• Tool case
• Spare fasteners
• Storage box
• User’s manual

The following are sold and shipped separately. Refer to Spare Part Ordering Information for additional information.

• Medium-pressure coning blades
• High-pressure coning blades
• Threading dies

Report any missing or damaged parts to your authorized Swagelok sales and service representative immediately.

Setup

Tube Vise
The manual adapter comes pre-assembled to the 3/8 in. tube vise for coning and threading 3/8 in. IPT series tube. It must be changed when coning and threading tube of a different diameter.

Removing the Manual Adapter

1. Remove the manual adapter from the tube vise by loosening the two socket head cap screws using the 1/4 in. hex key. (Fig. 2)

Attaching the Manual Adapter
1. Attach the manual adapter to the appropriate tube vise by tightening the two socket head cap screws using the 1/4 in. hex key. (Fig. 2)

Coning Tool
The proper coning blade for the tube diameter and pressure to be coned must be installed. Refer to Installing a New Coning Blade for the first use.

Coning Blade Replacement
The coning tool blade must be changed when:

• Coning tube of a different diameter.
• Coning tube of the same diameter but a different pressure rating (for example, when changing from medium- to high-pressure tube).
• Quality of the coned end or the cone face diameter finish becomes a concern (for example, tearing is visible on the surface of the cone).

Removing the Coning Blade

1. Loosen the two 1/4 in. set screws using the 1/8 in. hex key. (Fig. 3)
2. Remove the blade holder from the housing. (Fig. 4)
   • Caution
     Carefully remove chips using the chip brush.
3. Loosen the four #10 set screws using a 3/32 in. hex key. (Fig. 5)
4. Remove the coning blade from the blade holder. (Fig. 6)
   • Caution
     Avoid the sharp edges on the coning blade.

Installing a New Coning Blade

1. Remove chips from the coning blade pocket in the blade holder using a chip brush.
2. Install the new coning blade for the tube diameter and pressure to be coned. Check the ordering number marked on the coning blade to ensure the proper coning blade is being installed.
   

   Size, in .	Ordering Number
   	Medium-Pressure	High-Pressure
   1/4	BL4M	BL4H
   3/8	BL6M	BL6H
   9/16	BL9M	BL9H

3. Tighten the two #10 set screws opposite the coning face of the blade first to set the coning insert properly. (Fig. 7)
   Note: These are the screws located under the chip slots in the blade holder.
4. Tighten the other two #10 set screws (Fig.7).
5. Align the blade holder chip slots with the 1/4 in. set screws in the housing. (Fig. 8)
6. Slide the blade holder into the housing.
7. Tighten the two 1/4 in. set screws while making sure they engage with the countersinks in the blade holder. (Fig. 8)

Coning Tool Bushing Replacement
A coning tool bushing can be used for both medium- and high- pressure tubing. The coning tool bushing must be changed when a different tube diameter is to be coned.

1. Retract the drive nut onto the housing to expose the two additional 1/4 in. set screws. (Fig. 9)
   Note: You must push the drive nut past the spring plungers.
2. Loosen the two 1/4 in. set screws using the 1/8 in. hex key.
3. Remove the coning tool bushing. (Fig. 10)
4. Install the appropriate size coning tool bushing into the housing with the marked side facing out and the groove in the coning tool bushing aligned with the set screw. Align the face of the coning tool bushing with the end of the housing. (Fig. 10 and 11)
5. Tighten the two 1/4 in. set screws. (Fig. 11)
6. Reset the drive nut by pushing it past the spring plungers until the drive nut extends over the end of the housing.

Threading Tool
The threading tool bushing and threading die for the tube diameter to be used must be installed into the threading tool. Refer to Installing a New Threading Die and Installing a New Guide Bushing for the first use.
The threading tool bushing and threading die must be changed in order to thread other tube diameters.
The threading die should also be changed if thread quality becomes a concern.
The threading dies used are fixed to a particular thread size and pitch. All are designed to cut left‑hand threads.

Removing the Threading Tool Bushing and Threading Die

1. Loosen the two 1/4 in. threading tool bushing set screws using the 1/8 in. hex key. (Fig. 12)
2. Remove the threading tool bushing from the housing. (Fig. 13)
3. Loosen the two 1/4 in. threading die set screws using a 1/8 in. hex key. (Fig. 14)
4. Remove the threading die from the housing. (Fig. 15)

Installing a New Threading Die

1. Position the appropriate threading die at the opening on the housing with the marked side facing out. Align the threading die countersinks with the 1/4 in. threading die set screws, and then slide the die into the housing until it bottoms. (Fig. 15)
2. Tighten the two threading die set screws using the 1/8 in. hex key, making sure they engage the countersinks.

Installing a New Threading Tool Bushing

1. Position the appropriate guide bushing at the opening on the housing with the marked side facing out and then slide it in until the face of the bushing is even with the face of the housing. (Fig. 16)
2. Tighten the two 1/4 in. guide bushing set screws using the 1/8 in. hex key. (Fig. 16)

Operation

Tube Preparation
Tube Cutting
The coning blade will cone and face the end of the tube during coning. Add the distance given in the table below to the desired final length of tube to ensure the finished nipple is the needed length.

Cut the tube using a Swagelok tube saw guide.

Example:
The cut length for a 3/8 in. high-pressure tube nipple with a final length of 6 1/2 inch (165 mm):
6 1/2 inch + 1/16 inch = 6 9/16 inch (167 mm)

Deburring
Deburr the OD of the tube to ensure it will easily pass through the tube vise and bushings.

CAUTION
IPT series medium- or high-pressure tube must be used with the IPT series coning and threading tool to ensure proper performance.

Cone Surface Finish
Inspect the surface finish of the cone. The finish should be uniform, with no tearing or leaveoff marks visible. Any mark with sufficient depth that can be felt with a fingernail is not acceptable.

If the surface finish is non-conforming, it may be possible to re-cone.
If re-coning does not improve the surface finish, consider replacing the coning blade.
Note: Be aware that re-coning will shorten both the thread length and overall length of the tube. Make sure the completed nipple remains in tolerance. Add additional threads if necessary.

Cone Face Diameter Finish
Inspect around the cone face diameter to make sure the radius used to blend the intersection of the face with the cone is uniform in appearance with no tearing or burrs.

Note: The cone face diameter finish may be damaged if the tube nipple is dropped.

ID Deburring
Inspect each end to make sure the ID of the nipple has been deburred.

Manual Coning Tool

The tube vise comes assembled for 3/8 in. tube. Refer to Setup for installing the manual adapter onto a tube vise for a different diameter tube. The correct coning blade and bushing must be installed for the tube size and pressure to be coned. Refer to Setup for the proper procedure.

1. Place the tube vise in a bench vise and tighten slightly. (Fig. 17)
2. Insert the tube into the tube vise, with one end of the tube extending out from the manual adapter approximately 2 in. or 50 mm. The tube should slide freely. If it does not, loosen the bench vise slightly.
3. Slide the drive nut over the spring plungers toward the handle to expose the end of the coning tool. (Fig. 18)
4. Slide the coning tool onto the tube.
5. Place the tip of the appropriate coning gauge between the manual adapter and the end of the coning tool. Slowly slide the coning tool toward the coning gauge, using the coning tool to push the tube. Continue until the face of the coning tool contacts the coning gauge to establish the gap. This distance ensures the tube will extend far enough from the tube vise to be properly set for coning. (Fig. 19)
6. Verify that the tube is in contact with the cutting blade. (Fig. 20)
7. Tighten the bench vise to secure the tube. No tube movement is acceptable at this point.
8. Verify the gap with the coning gauge. Reset if required by loosening the bench vise slightly and following steps 5 through 8.
9. Apply cutting fluid to the retaining ring on the housing. (Fig. 21)
10. Remove the coning tool from the tube.
11. Reset the drive nut by pushing it past the spring plungers until the drive nut extends over the end of the housing. (Fig. 22)
12. Apply cutting fluid to the tube.
13. Slide the coning tool onto the tube.
14. Apply cutting fluid to the front face and threads of the manual adapter.
15. Slide the coning tool onto the tube and engage the drive nut onto the manual adapter. Advance the drive nut until the coning blade makes contact with the tube. Loosen the drive nut 1/8 turn.
16. Apply cutting fluid through the chip window to the coning blade and end of the tube. (Fig. 23)
    Note: Continue to apply cutting fluid frequently during the coning process.
17. Turn the coning tool handle clockwise at a constant speed.
    CAUTION
    Fingers can be injured. Do not place fingers or hands near the coning blade while operating the coning tool.
18. Cone the end of the tube by continuing to turn the handle and slowly advance the drive nut clockwise until the coning tool bottoms out by contacting the manual adapter. (Fig. 24)
    Note: Provide gentle resistance to the drive nut to prevent the coning blade from biting into the tube.
19. Hold the drive nut in place while continuing to turn the handle for several revolutions.
    Notice
    This step is critical to achieving the proper surface finish on the cone.
20. While continuing to turn the handle clockwise, slowly loosen the drive nut by turning it counter-clockwise. Stop turning the handle once the coning tool is clear of the cone. (Fig. 25)
    Note: Loosening the drive nut may be difficult.
21. Remove the coning tool from the tube.
22. Remove chips from the coning tool and end of the tube using a chip brush.
    WARNING
    Danger of being injured by sharp cutting edges of coning blade and metal chips. Do not remove chips or tubing from the work area when the tool is still rotating. Remove chips with chip brush.
23. Deburr the tube ID. (Fig. 26)
24. Inspect the following criteria without removing the tube from the tube vise:
    • Cone surface finish – smooth and burr-free
    • Cone angle – consistent
    • Cone face diameter finish – uniform appearance around radius
    • Face – smooth and burr-free

Power Coning Tool
For increased productivity, the coning tool can be adapted for use with a 1/2 inch. power drill. The coning speed is then controlled by pressure applied to the drill rather than manual advancement.

Setting Up the Coning Tool for Power Coning

1. Loosen the 3/8 in. set screw using the 3/16 in. hex key. (Fig. 27)
2. Remove the handle assembly. (Fig. 28)
3. Remove the drive nut from the driver/blade holder. (Fig. 29)
4. Depress the retention pin on the power adapter and install the adapter into the driver/blade holder. Ensure the retention pin on the adapter engages a retention hole on the driver/blade holder. (Fig. 30)
5. Insert the power adapter into a 1/2 in. variable speed power drill chuck. (Fig. 31)
6. Tighten the chuck.
7. Establish a cutting speed of approximately 250 rpm with the drill running in a clockwise direction.

Power Coning Operation
The tube vise comes assembled for 3/8 in. tube. Refer to Setup for installing the manual adapter onto a tube vise for a different diameter tube. The correct coning blade and bushing must be installed for the tube size and pressure to be coned. Refer to Setup for the proper procedure.

1. Place the tube vise in a bench vise and tighten slightly. (Fig. 32)
2. 
3. Insert the tube into the tube vise, with one end of the tube extending out from the manual adapter approximately 2 in. or 50 mm. The tube should slide freely. If it does not, loosen the bench vise slightly.
4. Apply cutting fluid to the tube and slide the coning tool onto the tube.
5. Place the tip of the appropriate size coning gauge between the manual adapter and end of the coning tool. Slide the coning tool toward the coning gauge, using the coning tool to push the tube. Continue until the face of the coning tool contacts the coning gauge to establish the gap. This distance ensures the tube will extend far enough from the tube vise to be properly set for coning. (Fig. 33)
6. Verify that the tube is in contact with the coning blade. (Fig. 34)
7. Tighten the bench vise to secure the tube. No tube movement is acceptable at this point.
8. Verify the gap with the coning gauge. Reset if required by loosening the bench vise slightly then following steps 5 through 8.
9. Apply cutting fluid through the chip window to the coning blade, to the end of the tube, and to the front face of the manual adapter. (Fig. 35)
10. Back the coning tool away from the end of the tube approximately 1/8 in. or 3 mm.
    WARNING
    Danger of being injured by rotating parts when using coning tool with power drill. Keep hands, loose clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from rotating and moving parts.
11. Cone the tube by running the drill at the established cutting speed in a clockwise direction. Slowly advance the coning tool into the tube, applying steady pressure until the coning tool contacts the manual adapter. (Fig. 36)Note: Stop frequently to apply additional cutting fluid to the coning blade and the end of the tube.
12. While the drill is still running, slowly retract and remove the coning tool from the tube. Stop the drill when the coning tool is clear of the tube.
13. Remove chips from the coning tool and end of the tube using the chip brush.
14. Deburr the tube ID with the provided deburring tool. (Fig. 37)
15. Inspect the following criteria prior to proceeding without removing the tube from the tube vise:
    • Cone surface finish – smooth and burr-free
    • Cone angle – consistent
    • Cone face diameter finish – uniform appearance around radius
    • Face – smooth and burr-free

Threading Tool
The guide bushing and threading die must be assembled into the threading tool for the desired tube diameter. Refer to Setup for proper procedure.
It is not recommended to use the threading tool with the power adapter as it makes counting the number of threads more difficult.

1. Begin with the coned tube in position in the tube vise and:
   Medium-Pressure and 1/4 in. High-Pressure Connections:
   • Apply cutting fluid to the tube.
     3/8 in. and 9/16 in. High-Pressure Connections:
   • Loosen the vise.
   • Move the tube until it extends out from the manual adapter approximately
     3/8 in.: 1 7/8 in. or 50 mm
     9/16 in.: 2 1/16 in. or 55 mm
   • Tighten the vise.
   • Apply cutting fluid to the tube.
     Notice
     If the tube is not repositioned prior to threading a 3/8 in. or 9/16 in. high-pressure connection, the threading tool may contact the manual adapter during the threading operation which will reduce the thread length.
2. Gently slide the threading tool onto the tube until the threading die makes contact with the end of the tube. (Fig. 38)
3. Turn the handles clockwise until they are parallel to the ground and the groove on the threading die is facing up. This establishes the starting point to begin counting threads.
4. Apply cutting fluid through the chip window to the threading die and end of the tube. (Fig. 39)
5. Begin threading by applying pressure to the threading tool while rotating the handle counter-clockwise until the threading die engages.
6. Advance the threading tool counter-clockwise two full turns, then reverse direction 1/4 to 1/2 turn to break the chips. Use the groove on the threading die as a reference. (Fig. 40)
7. Advance the threading tool counter-clockwise one more full turn, stopping when the handle reaches the 12 o’clock position. Reverse direction 1/4 to 1/2 turn to break the chips, then apply cutting fluid to the tube.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the proper thread length is reached (see table below).
   

   Connection Size and Type	Thread Size	Thread Length in . (mm)	Approximate Number of Turns
   1/4 in . medium-pressure	1/4-28 UNF LH	0 .32 (8 .1)	7 1/2
   3/8 in . medium-pressure	3/8-24 UNF LH	0 .42 (10 .7)	8
   9/16 in . medium-pressure	9/16-18 UNF LH	0 .48 (12 .2)	7
   1/4 in . high-pressure	1/4-28 UNF LH	0 .54 (13 .7)	13
   3/8 in . high-pressure	3/8-24 UNF LH	0 .73 (18 .5)	15
   9/16 in . high-pressure	9/16-18 UNF LH	0 .92 (23 .4)	13 1/2

9. Remove chips from between the threading die and bushing using a chip brush.
10. Remove the threading tool by rotating it clockwise until the threading die unthreads itself from the tube. Continue to remove chips from the threading die and threads as the threading tool is removed. Fig. 41.
    Notice
    Chips must be removed prior to removing the tube. Chips caught between the threads and bushing can damage the threads and make removal of the threading tool difficult.
11. Loosen the bench vise and carefully remove the tube from the tube vise. Fig. 42.
    Note: A small notch may be formed on the last thread. Align this with the slot in the tube vise if there is difficulty removing the tube. The notch does not affect the function of the threads. (Fig. 43)
12. Clean the ID and OD of the completed nipple with shop air.
13. Visually inspect the threads to verify they are smooth and burr-free.
    Note: Optional thread gauges are available. Refer to Spare Part Ordering Information.
14. Thoroughly clean the coning tool and threading tool, removing all burrs and chips, prior to any additional coning and threading operation.

Maintenance
Refer to Setup to replace the coning tool coning blade, coning tool bushing, the threading tool threading die, the threading tool guide bushing, and the tube vise.

Spare Part Ordering Information

Available Tooling Kits
Each kit includes 1 coning blade and 1 threading die.

General Kit Contents

Optional Thread Gauges
Each kit contains 1 truncated thread master, 1 “Go” thread ring gauge, 1 “No-go” thread ring gauge, and gauge certifications.

To replace other parts, refer to Part Drawings.
Contact your authorized Swagelok sales and service representative for additional assistance.

Part Drawings

Coning Tool

Threading Tool

Warranty Information
Swagelok products are backed by The Swagelok Limited Lifetime Warranty. For a copy, visit swagelok.com or contact your authorized Swagelok representative.

Warning: Do not mix/interchange Swagelok products or components not governed by industrial design standards, including Swagelok tube fitting end connections, with those of other manufacturers.

Swagelok—TM Swagelok Company
© 2014-2021 Swagelok Company
Printed in U.S.A.
MS-13-224, RevA, October 2021

Documents / Resources

Swagelok Manual Coning and Threading Tool [pdf] User Manual Manual Coning and Threading Tool, Coning and Threading Tool, Threading Tool

References

• User Manual