I’ve been running an M18 threader for 1–2 in sch 40 on a scissor lift, but I still drag the old Ridgid 700 for 2 in and up — curious who’s found a safer grip option for overhead threads to keep wrists out of the pinch zone… Last week a helper nearly spun the reaction arm off a rung, so I’m looking for field-proven stabilizers or stands that fit in a tight corridor.
M18 is fine up to 2", but for 2"+ overhead I stick with the 700 plus RIDGID 775 support arm — , without it my wrists were toast. > to keep wrists out of the pinch zone… Last week a helper nearly spun the reaction arm off Same scare; we park the 775’s heel against a 6" Unistrut stub C-clamped to the lift midrail so it can’t rotate in a tight corridor. It’s a minute of setup and you’ve got to pad the rail, but it’s been the safest overhead grip we’ve found.
Had the same scare on a scissor — helper almost spun the arm off a rung on 2″ sch 40… I run a 1″ ratchet strap choked to the pipe and back to the lift post with a 2′ Unistrut block on the rail so the reaction arm bites the strap/block, not my wrist. If there’s a hair of space, a baby roller jack under the run tamps down the torque; if not, @dgreen237’s 775 works but it’s clumsy in tight corridors.
In a ‘tight corridor’, strap 24″ Unistrut + Sumner 781 V-head to lift mid-rail; AutoStop helps; 700 for 2″+.
Quick tip: I use an aluminum strap wrench choked 6–8 in behind the die head and leash the tail back to the lift rail; it bites if the head tries to roll and keeps my wrists out of the ‘pinch zone’ (example: https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/aluminum-strap-wrenches)… For 2 in+ I still bring the 700, but the strap trick buys space where a jack stand won’t, and I’ll wrap emery cloth under the strap if the pipe’s slick with oil. Not pretty, but it’s saved more wrists than coffee saves Monday.
I keep a RIDGID 775 support arm in the lift bag, @OP — clamp it to the pipe and it eats the torque on 2" with a 700, kind of a seatbelt for the power drive (https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/775-support-arm). In tight corridors I flip the bar so it bears on a 10–12" Unistrut stub cinched to the mid-rail; just note it can skate on painted or oily pipe unless you add emery cloth or a rubber pad.