What Did I Do Wrong?

stp57

Today, I needed to shorten a 3/4" brass down rod for a ceiling fan. I tried twice to thread one end with my ratcheting threader (Ridgid) & both times I only got half of my thread before the end of the pipe collapsed. I used threading oil. I didn't think I would ever get my threader unstuck from the pipe. Where did I go wrong?
Steve

Dustball

Sounds like the OD of the down rod is too large.

stp57

I sure didn't think of that? I just assumed that 3/4" was 3/4". I should have looked at one of my brass nipples to see if it was thicker stock than the down rod?
Steve

KillerToiletSpider

Is that brass down rod made of brass or zinc pipe plated with brass?

Most accessories like that are welded seam zinc tube plated to the desired finish, any type of threader will crush it.

__________________
A flush is better than a full house.

stp57

Come to think of it, only the outside appeared to be brass & it was silver colored underneath. My pipe wrench sure made a mess of it too.
Thanks,
Steve

send_it_all

Im about 90% sure you can buy "down rods" of various lengths at the depot. Don't see a need to spend time cutting and re threading one unless you are in a very remote area.

stp57

Fan had 25" of wire & my customer had a 24" down rod. The only options were an 18" down rod or cut down the 24"a couple of inches or extend the wire. But thanks to the fat remote transmitter that I had to fit at the top, I couldn't extend the wire any.
Steve