Do they make a tool to clean up threads on a garden hose?

[Larry W]

A small 3-corner file will do it.

[h]

Steel wool has always worked for me.

[Jim Elbrecht]

messagenews:rhh6o.53358$ [e-mail]...

I've tried those. If your hose-walls are exactly the right thickness they work good for a while & are easy to tighten or reuse.

They *are* the ones-- better than factory on a wide range of hoses.

Those also rely on the thickness of the hose wall. I haven't had good luck with them.

Jim

[Brent]

Exactly. They don't seem to MAKE a hose-thread tap and die ... and even if they did, it would cost more than the hose (which is about $50 for a decent hose).

But maybe a thread chaser would work if I can find one in the right hose thread and pitch (whatever that is for a garden hose).

[Brent]

Interesting idea. I didn't mention it, but, a lot of the "crud" on the hose is just caked on deposits ... so maybe the battery post cleaner will work.

However, some is dinged up brass, in which case I'll need to reshape the threads with some kind of thread chaser.

Although I did look at the suggested replacement ends which is a different approach ... i.e., instead of fixing them, just replace them.

[Brent]

I buy the best hose I can find. a. Long (100 feet if possible) b. Rubber (no vinyl!) c. 3/4 inch ID d. SOLID brass fittings

I hate those shiny plated rolled metal fitings; step on them once or drive over them once and they're crushed. The hoses I buy you could drive over with a truck and they'd still be ok.

But, brass is brass. It gets caked up and dinged like crazy. The hose is in good shape but the ends are banged up (I'm rough on 'em, dragging them about all the time).

I think the ideas proposed so far are: a) Triangular file for the male (female is tougher) b) Battery post wire brush c) Replace the end altogether

[Brent]

I can rent (for free when you return it) a set of thread files from AutoZone but I wonder if they'll have a 11.5 threads per inch size?

I doubt it ... but I'll ask them now that I know the thread pitch!

[Brent]

Does your thread file set have the pitch for a garden hose?

- US GHT (Garden Hose Thread) is 11.5 TPI and straight.

[Brent]

AutoZone will rent these thread files for free (once returned). But, I doubt they have 11.5 threads per inch, no taper.

But I'll check just in case as a thread file for GHT (garden hose thread) would be the perfect reusable solution ... if it exists!

[Brent]

Either a tap/die or a thread file would work fine. The problem is finding a tap/die or thread file in GHT (garden hose thread) with 11.5 TPI (threads per inch).

I can't find that.

Of course, I could just cut them off and replace them; but the whole point of buying solid brass fittings is long life and it's a shame to waste them for want of cleaning up the threads.

[Brent]

Previous posters said it's 11.5 TPI so one problem is finding the right size.

Do you know of any sources for 3/4" GHT at 11.5 TPI taps and dies?

[Brent]

The threads are dinged up so the file might work; but the steel wool will only remove the oxidation.

I was hoping to find a source for a GHT tap/die set or a thread file source for the 11.5 TPI pitch.

[jeff_wisnia]

I don't think that the difference between 11.5 and 12 TPI would make much of a difference when using the tap as a scraper, there's only a short length of thread anyway.

Jeff (The guy who told you it was 11.5 TPI)

[notbob]

I'd cut off the old fittings and replace them with new ones. The guy at OSH should have explained this, as they have about a half dozen styles. Everything from cheapo plastic fittings that require only a screw driver to more elaborate commercial types which require a tool to crimp a permenent steel band around a barbed brass fitting. IOW, if the hose is worth saving, toss the old fittings for new ones ...unless you want to hang the old ones on the wall in your den and admire them.

nb

[jeff_wisnia]

Well you CAN buy a GHT tap here, if you're a zillionare and don't care what you pay for things:

Jeff

[Steve B]

DKAY, but I have trouble finding the right fixit for the right wall thickness. Most of the hoses I buy are either cheapies with the thin metal ends, or the really good thick ones with the hefty brass. The hefty ones last, and I really haven't had to fix any. The wimpy thin ones are another story. After they get pressurized a few times, they have to be redid.

Steve

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[Steve B]

Soaking overnight in common vinegar, then a toothbrush sized wire brush works for removing that scale from stuff I clean.

Steve

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[Steve B]

Crikey! I wonder what they get for a die?

Steve

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[Brent]

I understand that. It just might be lime 'crudding' up the threads that are scaled (the dinged threads are another matter).

Thanks for that hint.

It seems a "thread chaser" specifically for garden hoses does not exist. :(

[Brent]

Assuming a garden hose is 3/4 inch and 11.5 TPI, and assuming a tap for 3/4 inch and 12 TPI would fix it ...

Is the consensus that a 3/4 inch tap and die with a 12 TPI pitch is actually available on the market?