RT3422 Tapping Tool
Ridge Tool Company
11
3. Locate and remove the retaining ring and washer
from the end of the red cap.
4. Unscrew and remove the red end cap. Note that
any media that has escaped the seal will collect
under this cap and may be spilled at this time. Do not
remove the “maintenance free” sealed bearing from
the end cap unless bearing replacement is intended.
If the bearing must be removed use two 7/64
″
diam-
eter pins of equal length to slowly press the bearing
out. Using a hammer to do this will damage the pre-
cision recess in the end cap for the bearing.
5. Locate the seal cap and remove the two locking set-
screws and then unscrew and remove the seal cap
itself. Remove the seal ring from inside the end of the
bronze feed screw just exposed. Remove the two
graphite seals from the same place. If the graphite
seals are damaged or worn discard them and re-
place two new seals. Typically, seals should be
replaced after every 20 taps or every 6 months,
whichever comes first.
6. Push the spindle from the hex end and remove it from
the opposite end of the tool. Turn the sleeve counter-
clockwise until all the threads of the bronze feed
screw are exposed and the sleeve separates from the
bronze feed screw. This completes the disassembly
of the tool.
Part Cleaning Procedure
1. Wash the parts in a degreaser tank and wipe each in-
dividual part until clean and dry.
2. Seals cannot be washed and reused.
3. Be careful not to wash parts with materials that will
corrode or degrade the parts in any way.
Tool Assembly Procedure
1. Inspect the bronze feed screw and sleeve for any
damage, replace if required. Lubricate the acme
threads on the bronze feed screw with grease. Turn
the sleeve clockwise onto the bronze feed screw
until all the threads are hidden and the tool is fully col-
lapsed. Place the tool horizontally on a table so parts
do not fall out.
2. Inspect the spindle for any damage and replace if re-
quired. Insert the spindle into the adapter end of the
bronze feed screw hex end first. Slide it in as far as it
will go.
3. Use the original seals if they are undamaged, not
worn, and uncontaminated otherwise replace them.
Insert two graphite seals into the pocket at the cap
end of the bronze feed screw so that the seals sur-
round the spindle shaft. Place them in the pocket with
the butt joints staggered 180° (to avoid a weak spot in
the seal).
4. Inspect the seal ring for any damage and replace if re-
quired. Place the seal ring on top of the seals with the
angled face in contact with the seals and the re-
duced diameter on the ring facing the hex end of
the spindle.
5. Inspect the seal cap for any damage and replace if re-
quired. Screw the seal cap partially onto the bronze
feed screw. Loosely screw the two locking set-screws
into the seal cap.
6. Adjust the seal pressure by progressively tighten-
ing the seal cap with a wrench as the effort to turn the
spindle with a second wrench is tested. When resis-
tance to turning the spindle is felt, loosen the seal nut
just enough to remove most resistance. Lock the
seal nut in place with the two locking set-screws.
7. Inspect the end cap / bearing assembly for any dam-
age and replace if required. Place the end cap/bear-
ing assembly on the protruding spindle shaft, fol-
lowed by the washer and secure in place with the
retaining ring. Push the spindle / end cap assembly
onto the sleeve and screw into position. To prevent
the end cap from being accidentally unscrewed se-
cure it in place with the set-screw into the side of the
end cap.
8. Wipe the tool down to remove excess lubricant and
return the tool to the box ready for the next use.
