Pipe Tapping Tool

The Pipe Tapping Tool (Containment Tapping Tool, CTT) was developed by Apex Machining, Inc. as a solution to the problem faced by a large nuclear weapons site as it began the difficult challenge of removing radiological and hazardous liquids from miles of piping systems.

Other pipe draining tools had been used, but were difficult to use, extremely expensive, and had significant lead times (frequently several months). Tapping into pipe systems containing hazardous constituents requires a system that is easy to install and flawless during draining activities.

The CTT offered by Apex Machining, Inc. utilizes a simple, cost effective design that is easily installed, easy to operate, and usually in stock or available with a short lead time.

Hundreds of the Containment Tapping Tools were used at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Manufacturing Plantto safely and successfully drain over 3 ½ miles of radiological contaminated pipe systems without any leaks or spills. By utilizing the CTT, tap and drain costs at Rocky Flats were significantly reduced.

The CTT offered by Apex Machining, Inc. costs much less than other systems, is adaptable to hundreds of pipe sizes, and installs in much less time than other pipe tapping tools.

Pictures
Description
Cost
Buy
Click to enlarge Click here to enlarge Containment Tapping Tool
Stainless Steel 
Item #447
$375.00

Please See Customer Service for ordering information
Containment Tapping Tool
Cold Rolled Steel
Item #448
$340.00

Plus Shipping.

Technical Specifications

Containment Tapping Tool Housing Options:

  • 303 SST 303 CF ANN BAR ASTM A582 (item #447)
  • Mild Steel 1018 CF BAR ASTM A108 (item #448)

Packing material for the seal is 100% virgin expanded PTFE Gore-Tex:

  • TEMP RANGE – 450 F to +550 F
  • pH 0-14 (inert with all common chemicals)

Other Details:

  • Drills are cobalt steel with 135 degree split point 4-facet grind to allow easy starting and drilling in difficult material such as 304 SST.
  • The CTT mounts to common, off the shelf pipe saddles that are available in hundreds of pipe sizes.
  • Common pipe threads on the CTT enable the tool to be easily connected to bottles, tanks, pumps, and/or transfer hoses.

Success Tells the Story

The Pipe Tapping Tool was successfully used at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant to safely remove thousands of gallons of highly contaminated liquid solutions months ahead of schedule and significantly under budget.

“After numerous project delays on tap and drain activities, our team discovered the Containment Tapping Tool offered by Apex Machining, Inc. Previous orders for tapping devices took months for delivery, and often did not work if field conditions did not match up exactly with what was ordered. The Pipe Tapping Tool was always in stock, much cheaper than other tapping tools, and since it used off-the-shelf pipe saddles it was useable with any pipe diameter or schedule. The aggressive drill bit design worked especially well in the miles of stainless steel pipe that we had to drain. After witnessing hundreds of draining events without a single leak, I highly recommend the Containment Tapping Tool. This tool was the single most important tool that can be attributed to the success of our project.”

Michael Vess, P.E., PMP
Manager, Rocky Flats
Liquid Waste D&D Project