Wheeler-Rex 8991 User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
PIPE THREADING MACHINE
8991
Be sure to read this operation
manual before using the
machine.
Date of Purchase: Year Month
Distributor:
Note
- Be sure to hand this operation manual to the user.
- Be sure to keep the manual where the operator
can refer to it whenever necessary.
- To ensure safe and efcient use, read the manual
thoroughly before using the machine.
50/60 Hz

Safety Considerations
Precautions when using 8991
Main Parts, Standard Specications, Accessories, Options, and Their Applications
Getting Ready / Operation Guide
1. Transportation
2. Setting up
3. Cutting oil
4. Attaching and removing the die head
5. Self-opening Die head
6. Manual-open Die head
7. Setting Up the Pipe / Removing the pipe
8. Power supply
9. Checks before starting
10. Motor with braking system
11. Cutting pipes
12. Reaming
13. Carriage collision prevention mechanism
14. Improper use of a pipe wrench
15. Cutting threads (Self-opening Die Head)
16. Cutting threads (Manual-open Die Head)
17. Measuring threads with a gauge
Daily Inspection, Maintenance
Requesting Repairs
Servicing and Repairs, Troubleshooting
1
2
5
6
6
6
6
7
9
10
10
11
11
12
13
13
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Thank you for purchasing a WHEELER-REX pipe threading machine.
Our product will give you years of high-precision processing and reliable service if you simply follow the instructions
in this manual carefully.
- To prevent accidents such as re, electric shock, injury etc., please be sure to observe the Safety Considerations
and Precautions when using 8991.
- Before using the product, therefore, make sure you read the manual from start to nish, paying particular attention
to the Safety Considerations and Precautions.
- To avoid accident and injury, never use the machine for any purposes other than those described in this manual.
Should you need further advice, contact your distributor or WHEELER-REX.
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CONTENTS
In this operation manual, warnings are divided into WARNING and CAUTION.
WARNING: indicates actions that could possibly result in death or severe injury to the user if the machine is used
incorrectly.
CAUTION: indicates actions that could possibly result in injury to the user, or physical damage, if the machine is
used incorrectly.
Even items marked CAUTION could have serious outcomes under certain conditions.
Be sure to observe these warnings carefully as they greatly affect safety.
Definitions of ARNING and CAUTION
- If this manual is lost or damaged, promptly order a replacement from your distributor or WHEELER-REX.
- Parts and specications are subject to change without prior notice, due to improvements in quality, performance or
safety standards. In such cases, the contents, photographs, illustrations, etc. in this manual may be different to the
product you have purchased.

1
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
WARNING
1. Ensure you use the correct voltage.
- Be sure to use the voltage indicated on the nameplate on the main unit or in this manual. If the voltage is different
from the voltage indicated, overheating, smoke or re may occur.
2 .Check the switch is OFF before inserting the plug into the power supply socket.
- If the plug is inserted into the power supply when the switch is ON, the machine may start up abruptly and is liable
to cause accidents. Be sure to check the switch is OFF.
3 . Avoid electric shock.
- Never touch the plug with wet hands.
- Do not use the machine in rain or in places where moisture can easily get into the machine.
- Be sure to ground the machine to avoid electric shock.
4 .Be aware of the environment you are working in.
-Do not use the machine in the rain, in humid or damp places, or places where moisture can easily get into the
machine. Humidity will lower insulation of the motor and cause electric shock.
-Do not use close to flammable fluids or gases, such as gasoline or paint thinner. Doing so might result in fire or explosion.
5 .Use designated accessories and attachments.
- Do not use accessories and attachments other than those designated in this manual or our catalogues. Accident or
injury might result if you do.
6 . In the following cases, turn the unit OFF and pull the plug out of the socket:
- when the machine is not in use or parts are changed, repaired, cleaned or inspected,
- when accessories are changed,
- when hazards are expected (including a power failure),
- when the plug is inserted (the machine may start up unexpectedly, which could cause an accident).
7. If any abnormality is noticed, stop the machine immediately.
- If the machine does not operate smoothly, or abnormalities such as unusual odours, vibration or noise are detected,
stop operating the machine immediately.
- Check symptoms against the items listed under "Troubleshooting" at the end of this manual, and follow the
corresponding instructions. Continuing to use the machine may result in overheating, smoke or re, and may cause
accident or injury.
- If the unit overheats or produces smoke, do not attempt to overhaul it yourself but ask for an inspection and repair.
8 . Keep the work site clean.
- Ensure you keep workbenches and the worksite in good order and well lit. Cluttered worksites and workbenches
are liable to cause accidents.
9 . Do not let any unauthorised personnel near the machine.
- Do not let anyone other than authorised personnel touch the machine or the power cord, or operate the machine.
-Do not let anyone other than authorised personnel enter the work site, especially children. They could get seriously injured.
10 . Do not apply excessive force.
- To ensure safe and efcient operation, use within the capacity of the main unit. Applying force may not only cause
damage to the product but could also result in accident or injury.
- Do not use the machine in any way that could cause the motor to lock, or result in smoke or re.
11.Use the machine only for its designated purpose.
- Do not use the machine on pipes not specified in this manual. Using the machine for any purpose other than
threading pipes, such as fastening the pipe to a joint etc., will not only damage the machine and/or motor but could
also lead to accident or injury.
12 .Wear proper working clothing.
- Do not wear neckties, clothes with open sleeves, loose clothing, accessories such as necklaces, etc. Do up buttons
and zippers which could get caught in the rotating parts and result in serious accident or injury.
- When working outdoors, it is recommended that you wear rubber gloves and non-slip shoes. Slippery gloves and
shoes are liable to cause injuries. Do not wear scarves and cover long hair with caps or hair nets to prevent them
getting caught in rotating parts.
- Wear safety caps, safety shoes, etc. according to the working environment.
13 . Do not work in an unnatural posture.
- Keep a rm footing and balance to avoid falling over and injuring yourself.
14 . Remove tools such as wrenches.
- Before turning the switch ON, check that any tools used for inspection and adjustment have been removed. If you
use the machine when tools are left inside it, accidents and injuries may occur.

2
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING 8991
Threading
WARNING
15 . Operate the unit with great care.
- Always work with great attention to how you handle and operate the machine and the surrounding conditions.
Carelessness may result in accident or injury.
- Do not operate the machine when concentration is lowered such as when tired, after drinking alcohol, when sick or
affected by medicine, etc.
16 . Do not handle the power cord carelessly.
- Do not carry the machine by the cord, or pull the plug out of the socket with the cord.
- Do not place the cord near heated objects, fats and oils, cutters or objects with sharp edges.
- Take care not to tread on the cord, pull it or apply unnecessary force resulting in damage to the cord. Doing so may
result in electric shock, or a short-circuit may occur and cause a re.
17. Perform careful maintenance daily.
- When changing accessories and parts, follow the operation manual.
- Periodically inspect the power supply cord and plug. If damaged, ask your distributor or WHEELER-REX for
repairs. If you don’t do so, there is a risk of electric shock or short-circuiting and re.
- If an extension cord is used, inspect the cord periodically and, if damaged, replace it. If extension cords are used
outdoors, use extension cords designed for outdoor use to prevent electric shock, short-circuit or re.
- Keep parts used for gripping the unit with your hands dry and clean, and free of oil and grease. If your hands slip,
you may be injured.
18 .Check for damaged parts.
- Before using the machine, carefully check for any damage to the protective cover and other parts, and check both
normal operation and specied functions.
- Check for any abnormalities such as adjustment of movable parts, tightening, damage to and installation of parts and
all parts affecting operation.
- Do not use the machine if it has a damaged power cord or plug. Doing so may cause electric shock or a short circuit
leading to re.
- Do not use the machine if the Stop and Start switches do not work properly.
- When replacing or repairing a broken protective cover and other parts, follow the operation manual. If no instructions
are specied in the operation manual, ask your distributor or WHEELER-REX for repairs.
19 . Store carefully when the machine is not in use.
- Store in a dry place away from children and locked with a key.
2 0 . For overhaul and repair of the machine, ask an appointed REX agent.
- Our products comply with corresponding safety standards. Do not remodel.
- Be sure to ask your distributor or WHEELER-REX for any repairs. If repairs are carried out by unskilled or
unqualied personnel, the performance of the unit will be adversely affected and may result in accident or injury.
WARNING
1.Take care when handling the blades.
- To prevent accidents and injuries, take special care when handling blades such as dies, reamers, pipe cutters etc.
2 . Do not put your hands or face near rotating parts when the machine is in use.
- You could get caught in rotating parts or hit by scrap, resulting in accident or injury.
3 . Do not start on the next job while the machine is still rotating.
- When you turn the switch off, the machine will not stop rotating immediately. Perform the next job only after
checking that the machine has come to a complete stop. Failure to do so may result in accident or injury.
4 . Do not wear gloves when operating the machine.
- Gloves may get caught in rotating parts or blades, resulting in accident or injury.
5 . Do not leave the machine while it is still rotating.
- Others may be injured.
-This product can expose you to chemicals lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING - Proposition 65 -

3
PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING 8991
Using the pipe cutter
WARNING
6. If you accidentally drop or hit the machine, carefully check for damage, cracks,
deformities or any abnormalities.
- If any abnormalities are found, ask your distributor or WHEELER-REX for an inspection and/or repair.
- Continuing to use the machine when damaged will likely lead to mechanical problems, accident or injury.
7. Do not touch the dies or scrap just after threading.
- The dies and scrap can become very hot just after threading; touching them could burn or injure you.
8 . Die head and dies.
- Use the die head and dies that are appropriate for the type and diameter of pipe to be processed.
- When threading stainless steel pipes, use pipes with a wall thickness equivalent to Schedule 40 or more.
- Make sure the die head is mounted correctly on the carriage. Be careful not to get your ngers caught.
- Before you start threading, set the die head in the threading position, switch ON, and check that the oil is flowing
correctly over the dies. Failing to do so could result in an imperfect thread, damage to the machine, accident or injury.
9. Be sure to check the starting position before threading.
- When threading, start with the carriage to the right of the red line on the front support bar (as viewed from the
working position). If the carriage is not in the correct starting position, the die head will collide against the main
unit while threading, causing mechanical problems, accident or injury.
10 . Use the pipe support when threading long pipes.
- When threading long pipes, use a pipe support to prevent both vibration due to warping while the pipe is rotating,
and instability of the machine due to the weight of the workpiece. If a pipe support is not used, threading cannot be
performed correctly and problems with the machine, accident or injury may occur.
11. Be sure to attach accessories according to the operation manual.
- Attaching accessories incorrectly may cause the machine to topple over resulting in accident or injury.
12 . Precautions when using the machine with an oil tray.
- If you are going to work with the machine placed in an oil tray, be sure to put the machine on a table and make sure
it is not immersed in oil, otherwise the oil might be sucked in resulting in damage to the motor.
CAUTION
1.When cutting pipes, turn the cutter handle no faster than ½ a rotation for each
rotation of the pipe.
- If the cutter handle is turned too quickly when engaging the pipe, it can distort the shape of the pipe and may not
make a proper thread.
2 . Do not leave the machine unattended while it is still rotating.
- Others may be injured.
WARNING
1.Changing parts with blades, sharp edges, etc.
- To prevent accidents and injury, take special care when handling or changing any parts with sharp edges such as
dies, reamers, pipe cutters and carbide cutters.
- Be sure to attach accessories according to the operation manual. Make sure you use only genuine WHEELER-REX
accessories. Using any other type can lead to accident and injury, as well as damaging the machine itself.
- Avoid attaching accessories incorrectly as doing so may cause the machine to topple over, resulting in accident or injury.
2 . Use a pipe support when threading long pipes.
- When threading long pipes, use a pipe support to prevent both vibration due to warping while the pipe is rotating
and instability of the machine due to the weight of the workpiece. If a pipe support is not used, threading cannot be
performed correctly; as a result, problems with the machine, accidents or injuries may occur.
3 . Do not put your hands or face near rotating parts when the machine is in use.
- You could get caught in rotating parts or hit by scrap, resulting in accident or injury.
4 . Do not wear gloves when operating the machine.
- Gloves may get caught in rotating parts or blades etc., resulting in a serious accident or injury.

4
PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING 8991
Reaming
WARNING
Reamer blades are very sharp; to prevent injury, avoid touching them with bare hands.
Handling thread cutting oil
CAUTION
1.Wear goggles.
- Touching the eyes with oil may cause inammation.
- Emergency treatment: Wash eyes with clean water for about 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
2 .Wear protective gloves.
- If oil comes into contact with the skin, it may cause inammation.
- Emergency treatment: Carefully wash the affected part with soap and water.
3 .Take care not to breathe in oil mist or steam.
- Breathing in oil mist or steam may cause nausea.
- Emergency treatment: Carry the person out into the fresh air, cover them with a blanket, keep them warm and
relaxed, and seek medical attention.
4 . Do not thin the oil or mix it with threading oil produced by other companies.
5 . If water gets mixed in with the threading oil and the colour changes to a milky white or
the oil deteriorates excessively resulting in a poor nish, change to fresh oil promptly.
6 . Do not drink the oil.
- Drinking the oil may cause diarrhea or vomiting.
- Emergency treatment: Seek medical attention immediately, without forcing the person to vomit.
7. Do not place the oil where it can easily be reached by small children.
8 . Be very careful of re.
9 . Storage.
- Always close the lid after use to prevent the oil from being contaminated by dust, water or other foreign bodies.
- Store in a dark place away from direct sunlight.
10 . Drums (200L).
- To prevent them from bursting, do not apply pressure to empty drums.
- Do not weld, heat, drill or cut the drums or they may burst into re from the residue they contain.
WARNING
1. Do not burn off the oil.
- Oil contains chlorine compounds and generates toxic gas when burnt. In the case of an emergency in which
someone has inhaled such toxic gases, carry the affected person out into the fresh air and seek medical attention.
2 . Handling waste oil and waste cans.
- Handle materials according to local laws and regulations regarding waste disposal and cleaning.
- If uncertain, consult your distributor or WHEELER-REX.
Pipe
CAUTION
1. Do not use highly deformed or damaged pipes as doing so may lead to poor, if not
unusable, threads.
2 .When threading stainless steel pipes use pipes with a wall thickness equivalent to
Schedule 40 or more.

5
MAIN PARTS
Table 1
Fig. 1
Table 2
STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
APPLICATIONS
Cutting, reaming, threading steel and stainless steel pipes.
Model No. 8991
Threading capacity ½ B (15A) - 1 B (25A)
Voltage 120 V (50/60 Hz)
Motor single phase Input 400 W / Output 400 W, series motor (with brake)
Rotation speed 55 r.p.m (unloaded)
Net weight 58 lbs (26.1kg)
Dimensions 18" x 12.5" x 14" / 450(L) x 320(W) x 350(H) mm
MAIN PARTS, STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS, ACCESSORIES,
OPTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Model No. 8991
Die head Auto ½ - 1” NPT
Dies ( ½ - ¾” ) ( 1 ” ) One set each
Hexagonal keys 3 mm, 5 mm 1 each
Base
Hammer chuck
Handle Cutter
Cutter handle
Drain plug
Carriage
Handle lock pin
Rear chuck
Reamer
Carriage handle Motor inside
Switch

A
B
6
Fig. 3
Fig. 2
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Genuine WHEELER-REX
thread cutting oil
For Steel pipe
60603 2 Quart ThreadMaster Oil
60601 1 Gallon ThreadMaster Oil
60602 5 Gallon ThreadMaster Oil
For Stainless Steel pipe
60607 1 Gallon ThreadMaster Oil for SS
60608 5 Gallon ThreadMaster Oil for SS
1. Transportation (Fig. 2)
When moving or transporting the machine, remove the oil pan.
There is no need to drain off the cutting oil in the tank.
(1) Secure the cut end of a pipe rmly with the chuck, x the pipe in
position with the cutter, and move the machine.
(2) By raising the handle, the lock pin falls into the position, and the
handle is secured.
* When lowering the handle, lift the lock pin at the same time.
CAUTION
- When transporting the machine, please check and conrm that
the handle is secured properly.
- Always position the handle as shown in Fig. 2 when cutting
threads or performing other similar work.
2. Setting up (Fig. 3)
Place the machine on a at surface.
(Even when placed on a at surface, the rear chuck of the machine
is designed to be in a slightly raised position).
CAUTION
If the rear chuck is too low, oil will ow out of the pipe, making the
oor dirty and wasting oil.
3. Cutting oil (Fig. 4)
Fill the tank with the cutting oil that is supplied with the machine.
Use only genuine WHEELER-REX cutting oil. (Fig. 4)
Using this oil for threading pipes made of other materials may
result in irregular threads.
4. Attaching and removing the die head (Fig. 5)
Removing the die head
(1) Loosen the lock screw on the carriage.
(2) Raise the die head slightly in the direction of arrow A and then pull
it in the direction of arrow B.Raise the cutter if it gets in the way.
Attaching the Die head
(1) Attach the die head that matches the size of pipe to be threaded.
(Fig. 5)
(2) Align the die head post with the carriage tting hole, and push
it until it contacts the carriage while moving the die head up and
down a little.
(3) Lower the die head and check it is positioned correctly.
GETTING READY / OPERATION GUIDE
Handle
Rear chuck
too low
×OK OK
Flat
1 to 2 cm
higher at rear
chuck end
Position
when moved
Working position
Handle lock pin
Die head
post
Lock screw

7
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
5. Self-opening Die Head Note
15A: 󰾙"
20A: ¾"
25A: 1"
GETTING READY / OPERATION GUIDE
How to adjust the thread cutting size
The standard die head is suitable for three pipe sizes: 15A, 20A, 25A.
For 15A and 20A pipes, put dies notch A (black) on the respective
die head over the eccentric position pin (black).
For 25A, put dies notch B (silver) on the 25A die head over the
eccentric position pin (silver). (You will need to change dies.)
Replacing the dies
Since 15A, 20A and 25A each have different thread pitches, the
dies need to be changed accordingly.
When replacing the dies, please follow the instructions below.
(1) After opening the die head (i.e. with the open lever removed
from the groove on the block and the dies in the open position)
remove the size setting lever from the size setting pin.
(2) Turn the cam plate handle in the direction of the arrow: dies
No.3 and No.4 can then be removed.
(3) Raise the die head and remove dies No.1 and No.2.
Main Parts
Dies notch A
(for 15A - 20A) Black
Dies notch A (for 15A - 20A)
(Black)
Dies notch B
(for 25A) Silver
Dies notch B (for 25A)
(Silver)
Cam plate
handle
Cam plate handle
15A (Black) 20A (Black) 25A (Silver)
Die head position pins
Lever
Dies 4
Dies 1
Dies 3
Dies 2