I am about to install a new central heating system powered by a wood pellet boiler. To obtain maximum corrosion resistance, I have chosen PEX pipes for the low temperature underfloor heating circuits and stainless steel pipes (AISI 304) for the remaining parts of the system.
The issue is that my vise cannot get a good grip on the stainless steel pipes because the surface is significantly smoother than ordinary galvanized steel pipe.
Therefore I ask for better solutions to secure stainless steel pipes while doing pipe threading.
Best Answer
You've chosen a real challenge, actually fitting threaded pipe. Hardly anyone does that anymore.
Stainless isn't harder than other steels. You just need to use a pipe wrench or pipe vise. This will gouge the pipe, but that is normal in pipefitting. If you want no-gouge, you can try rubber gripper pads as are often used on kitchens.
If you're dealing in thinwall tubing, different story.