For cordless threading to 2 in., get the RIDGID 760 FXP kit; ½ to 2 in. heads are included. On M18, the Milwaukee 2874 needs 12-R heads added. The RIDGID 700 is the corded pick, and the Milwaukee 2870 is the light one to 1¼ in.
Most 2 in. work: RIDGID 760 FXP kit$3,185.58 at AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT · low stock then
Three RIDGID drives and two Milwaukee, one pick per job. Each was a genuine branded listing, new, when we checked on Oct 20 and again on Oct 22, 2026. Prices come from Amazon and show the time they were read.
Best for a cordless 2 in. kit with die heads in the box
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Which pipe sizes and die heads each drive takes
Two numbers settle most of this: the biggest pipe you thread and the die heads already on your truck. This chart puts both on one screen, straight from each maker’s manual or product page.
Pipe capacity and die-head series from Milwaukee manuals 58-14-0139 (2874) and 58-14-0459 (2870) and RIDGID’s 700, 760 FXP and 600-I product pages, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026.
The drives split into two groups. Three thread up to 2 in. and take RIDGID’s 12-R die heads, including Milwaukee’s 2874. Milwaukee’s manual names “Ridgid 12-R/R12+ series or equivalent” heads for it, so a RIDGID head set moves between all three.
The other two stop at 1¼ in. They’re the light ones, built for service calls where you thread a few nipples, not a whole gas line. The Milwaukee 2870 takes Milwaukee’s own 11-R series heads and the RIDGID 600-I takes RIDGID 11-R heads.
The five drives, one at a time
Best for a cordless 2 in. kit with die heads in the box
RIDGID 760 FXP power drive kit, 72023
Product photo: Amazon
72023, 12-R drive, two 4Ah packs, charger, ½ to 2 in. heads
⅛ to 2 in.12-R heads42 RPM24 lb60V max FXP27.8 in. long
Buy it if
You thread ½ to 2 in. black iron away from an outlet and want one box that’s ready to work, heads included.
Skip it if
You already run M18 and own 12-R heads. The Milwaukee 2874 uses the same heads on packs you have.
The 760 FXP is RIDGID’s cordless version of the hand-held power drive plumbers have used for decades. Kit 72023 is the complete one. RIDGID’s ordering list puts the drive, a support arm, a case, two 4Ah FXP packs, the FXP charger and a ½ to 2 in. 12-R NPT die head set in it.
That head set is why it’s our top pick. A drive with no heads can’t cut a thread, and a full 12-R set adds real money to any kit that skips it. When we checked on Oct 22, 2026, this kit was sold new by Amazon.com, with few left.
RIDGID rates it at up to 30 two-inch threads on a charge. The footnote matters: that’s RIDGID’s internal testing on 2 in. NPT threads in schedule 40 steel. Smaller pipe takes less from the pack. The 4Ah packs charge in 40 minutes and the 8Ah packs in 80, per RIDGID.
The drive runs at 42 RPM with no load on a brushless motor. The battery is 60V max, 54V nominal. RIDGID lists it at 24 lb and 27.8 in. long, with an aluminum and glass-filled plastic body.
Three features help on a long day. Torque Reaction Shutoff stops the motor when it senses kickback. A palm pad lets you push the head onto the pipe without touching it. LEDs light the die head and flash as the thread nears full length.
It also fits into a RIDGID shop you already have. RIDGID says it works with existing RIDGID die heads and, on the 12-R tool only, the 258 and 258XL power pipe cutters. If you’d rather run 11-R heads, RIDGID sells 11-R versions as 71998, 72018 and 72028.
The trade-off is the battery. FXP packs won’t run the M18 drills and saws many trucks already carry. We didn’t find a warranty term on RIDGID’s 760 FXP page, so check it with the seller.
Our take: if you’re starting from zero and thread up to 2 in., this is the most complete box on the list.
Best for cordless threading to 2 in. on M18
Milwaukee 2874-22HD kit
Milwaukee M18 FUEL pipe threader with ONE-KEY kit, 2874-22HD
Product photo: Amazon
2874-22HD, two HD12.0 packs, charger, support arm, case
Over 25 two-inch threads per charge, per Milwaukee
Two speeds: 0 to 29 and 0 to 41 RPM
AUTOSTOP shuts off on severe kickback
ONE-KEY tracking and lockout; 5-year warranty
Cons
No die heads in Milwaukee’s box list
22.2 lb, so still a two-hand tool
5-year warranty, not lifetime like RIDGID’s corded drives
Few left, from a third-party seller, on Oct 22, 2026
⅛ to 2 in.12-R heads0 to 41 RPM22.2 lbM185-yr warranty
Buy it if
Your trucks run M18, you thread up to 2 in., and you already own 12-R heads or plan to buy a set.
Skip it if
You own no heads and want one box ready to cut. The RIDGID 760 FXP kit includes a ½ to 2 in. set.
Milwaukee calls the 2874 the industry’s first cordless pipe threader. Milwaukee’s box list for the 2874-22HD kit has six items: the 2874-20 threader, two M18 HD12.0 packs (48-11-1812), the 48-59-1808 M18 and M12 rapid charger, a threading support arm and a carrying case.
No die heads are on that list. Milwaukee’s manual says to use RIDGID 12-R or R12+ series heads or an equivalent, from ⅛ to 2 in. If you already own 12-R heads for a RIDGID 700 or a ratchet set, they go straight in. If not, add a set to the cost before you compare kits.
Milwaukee rates it at over 25 two-inch threads per charge. It has a speed selector on top: setting 1 runs 0 to 29 RPM for 1¼ in. and larger, and setting 2 runs 0 to 41 RPM for pipe under 1¼ in. The manual says to stop the tool before you change speeds.
Milwaukee lists black iron, stainless steel and rigid metal conduit up to 2 in. It says the tool threads faster than corded competitors, without naming one. That’s Milwaukee’s claim, and we have no test that checks it.
Safety is the strong part. AUTOSTOP senses severe kickback and shuts the tool off. A die head lock ring clicks when the head is seated, and a side grip lets you push the head onto the pipe without holding the spinning head. The manual says to always use the support arm.
It weighs 22.2 lb and measures 26.3 in. long, per Milwaukee. ONE-KEY adds location tracking, inventory and remote lockout, which helps when a tool costs this much and rides in an open truck bed.
When we checked on Oct 22, 2026, the kit was sold new by The Sanitizing Surgeons, with few left. The warranty is a 5-year limited warranty.
Our take: the best fit for an M18 shop with a 12-R bag already in the truck.
Best for corded threading to 2 in. with 12-R heads
⅛ to 2 in.12-R heads26 to 30 RPM25 lb115 V, 13 ALifetime warranty
Buy it if
You thread in a shop, a mechanical room or anywhere with power, and you want the drive that takes nearly every RIDGID head.
Skip it if
You thread in crawlspaces or new builds with no power yet. A cordless drive saves the cord run.
The 700 is the drive most people mean when they say “a RIDGID power drive.” RIDGID designed it for 12-R die heads, ⅛ to 2 in., and it adds ¼ to 1 in. bolt threading with 00-RB heads. The 41935 is the 115 V version, rated 26 to 30 RPM and 13 A.
Its range of heads is the widest here. RIDGID’s adapters let it run 00-R and 00-RB heads (770 adapter), 0-R (771), 11-R and R-200 (772) and 111-R (773). A 774 square drive adapter is also listed. If your shop has a mixed bag of old heads, the 700 can likely turn them.
It also powers RIDGID’s 258 and 258XL power pipe cutters, so one motor cuts and threads. RIDGID lists it at 25 lb and 28¼ in. long, with a cast aluminum body and a double-throw reversible switch that springs back to off.
The support rule is clear in RIDGID’s manual. When you thread 1 in. or larger pipe, you need a support device, such as RIDGID’s 775 support arm or a RIDGID 14 in. heavy duty pipe wrench. The manual lists a torque arm and a support device as standard equipment with the drive.
The pipe wrench method is old-school and it works. The manual puts a 12, 14 or 18 in. heavy duty wrench about 7 in. from the pipe end, with the torque arm resting on the handle. The 775 arm weighs 11 lb on its own, per RIDGID.
There are two listings worth knowing. The 41935, sold new by Amazon.com with few left on Oct 22, 2026, is the drive with no heads. The 45178 kit, sold new by DKSATL with few left, adds ½ to 2 in. heads, a support arm and a case, per its listing.
RIDGID backs it with its Full Lifetime Warranty. The manual says to use only RIDGID die heads in the 700.
Our take: buy the 700 if you have power where you thread and want the drive that works with the most RIDGID heads and cutters.
Best for service work up to 1¼ in.
Milwaukee 2870-22 compact
Milwaukee M18 FUEL compact pipe threader with ONE-KEY kit, 2870-22
Product photo: Amazon
2870-22, ½ to 1¼ in. compact heads, two XC8.0 packs
Few left, from a third-party seller, on Oct 22, 2026
⅛ to 1¼ in.11-R series heads0 to 35 RPM10.62 lb bareM1819.7 in. long
Buy it if
You thread nipples and short runs up to 1¼ in. on service calls, often in tight spots, and you run M18.
Skip it if
You thread 1½ or 2 in. gas or steam lines. It can’t, and you’ll need a 2 in. drive.
Milwaukee calls the 2870 its lightest cordless threading tool, built for service and repair work. Milwaukee lists it at 10.62 lb without the battery and 19.7 in. long. The 2874 is listed at 22.2 lb and 26.3 in., so the compact is about 6.6 in. shorter.
The kit is complete. Milwaukee’s box list includes the 2870-20 tool, forged aluminum compact NPT die heads in ½, ¾, 1 and 1¼ in. (48-36-1307 through 1310), two M18 XC8.0 packs (48-11-1880), the 48-59-1808 charger, a support arm and a case.
Milwaukee says the heads are forged from aluminum and calls them the industry’s lightest. They’re the reason the kit is light, but they’re also a lock-in. The manual says to use only Milwaukee 11-R series heads or an equivalent, and the range stops at 1¼ in.
Speed comes from the trigger, not a dial. The manual rates it 0 to 35 RPM, and the further you pull, the faster it turns. It threads black iron, stainless steel and rigid metal conduit up to 1¼ in., per Milwaukee.
The safety kit matches the 2874. AutoStop senses severe kickback and shuts it off. A locking die head interface holds the head, and a side grip keeps your hand off the spinning head. Milwaukee says the support arm resists torque and removes the need for a pipe stand to hold the pipe.
That last claim needs a note. The manual still says the pipe must be stable and secured so it can’t tip. A short nipple in a vise is fine; a loose stick of pipe on the floor isn’t.
When we checked on Oct 22, 2026, the kit was sold new by The Sanitizing Surgeons, with few left. The warranty is 5 years on the tool and 3 on the batteries.
Our take: the one to carry on a service truck when 1¼ in. is the biggest pipe you’ll touch.
You thread ½ to 1¼ in. near an outlet and want a light drive with no batteries to manage.
Skip it if
You need 1½ or 2 in. The RIDGID 700 or a 2 in. cordless drive covers it.
The 600-I is RIDGID’s light hand-held drive, built for service and repair work. RIDGID lists it at 12.7 lb for the drive alone and 20 in. long. That’s about half the weight of the 700, with a 1270 W universal motor.
It threads ⅛ to 1¼ in. with RIDGID 11-R die heads. The 44913 is the 115 V version with a case, rated 36 RPM and 12 A. RIDGID also lists a 44918 “complete” package.
The support arm is RIDGID’s dual V-jaw design. RIDGID says it keeps the arm from slipping, and sells it as the 602 support arm, part 45923. The Amazon listing describes the dual V-jaw arm with the drive; check the photos before you buy if you need it in the box.
Service is simple. RIDGID says screw-in brush covers cut service time, and the gear head is die-cast aluminum and permanently greased. The body and handle are fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The switch is a two-step momentary on and off, with a slide switch for forward and reverse.
Because it uses 11-R heads, it pairs with an 11-R ratchet set or RIDGID’s 760 FXP in its 11-R version. It won’t take 12-R heads. If your bag is all 12-R, the 700 or a 2 in. cordless drive is the better match.
When we checked on Oct 22, 2026, it was sold new by Amazon.com, with few left. RIDGID backs it with its Full Lifetime Warranty. RIDGID’s accessory list for it includes the 418 oiler (10883) and the 425 tristand chain vise (16703), which holds ⅛ to 2½ in. pipe.
Our take: the corded answer to the Milwaukee 2870. Pick it if there’s an outlet where you thread and you’d rather never charge a pack.
All five picks side by side
Every number comes from each maker’s manual or product page. Scroll sideways on a phone; on a desktop, tap a heading to sort.
Green marks a strength and amber marks a trade-off. The Milwaukee 2870 weight excludes its battery; the others are as each maker lists them.
Milwaukee and RIDGID spec by spec
The same checks for all five, with the maker’s own numbers. Where a page didn’t say, we say so.
Check
760 FXP
2874
700
2870
600-I
Pipe range
⅛ to 2 in.
⅛ to 2 in.
⅛ to 2 in.
⅛ to 1¼ in.
⅛ to 1¼ in.
Bolt threading
Not on the page we read
Not on the page we read
¼ to 1 in. (00-RB)
Not on the page we read
Not on the page we read
No-load speed
42 RPM
0 to 29 / 0 to 41 RPM
26 to 30 RPM
0 to 35 RPM
36 RPM
Speed control
Not on the page we read
Two-speed dial
Single speed
Variable trigger
Single speed
Motor
Brushless, 60V max
M18 FUEL
Universal, 13 A
M18 FUEL
Universal, 1270 W
Weight
24 lb
22.2 lb
25 lb
10.62 lb bare
12.7 lb
Length
27.8 in.
26.3 in.
28¼ in.
19.7 in.
20 in.
Kickback stop
Torque Reaction Shutoff
AUTOSTOP
Spring-return switch
AutoStop
Momentary switch
Powers 258 cutter
Yes, 12-R tool
Not on the page we read
Yes
Not on the page we read
Not on the page we read
App
RIDGID Link
ONE-KEY
None
ONE-KEY
None
Warranty
Not on the page we read
5 yr limited
Full Lifetime
5 yr tool, 3 yr battery
Full Lifetime
“Not on the page we read” means the maker’s product page or manual didn’t state it on Oct 19 or 20, 2026. Milwaukee doesn’t list motor wattage or amps for its cordless threaders.
Die heads: the part that decides the real cost
A power drive only turns the head. The head holds the dies that cut the thread, and you need one per pipe size. Here’s which heads each drive takes and which kits include them.
Drive
Heads it takes
Adapters
Heads in the kit
RIDGID 760 FXP (12-R version)
RIDGID 12-R
None needed
72023: ½ to 2 in. set
RIDGID 760 FXP (11-R version)
RIDGID 11-R
None needed
72028: set, per RIDGID’s list
Milwaukee 2874
RIDGID 12-R or R12+, or equivalent
None listed
2874-22HD: none
RIDGID 700
RIDGID 12-R
770 for 00-R/00-RB, 771 for 0-R, 772 for 11-R, 773 for 111-R
41935: none; 45178: ½ to 2 in.
Milwaukee 2870
Milwaukee 11-R series, or equivalent
None listed
2870-22: ½, ¾, 1, 1¼ in.
RIDGID 600-I
RIDGID 11-R
None listed
44913: not listed
From Milwaukee manuals 58-14-0139 and 58-14-0459 and the kit lists, and RIDGID’s 700, 760 FXP and 600-I product pages, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026. The 72028 entry is RIDGID’s 11-R kit with heads.
12-R is the series to know. It covers ⅛ to 2 in. and fits the RIDGID 700, the 12-R version of the 760 FXP and Milwaukee’s 2874. It’s also the head RIDGID’s 12-R ratchet threaders use, so a shop with a manual set already owns heads that fit three of these drives.
11-R heads stop at 1¼ in. RIDGID’s 772 adapter puts them in a 700, but not the other way around: a 12-R head won’t go in a 600-I. Milwaukee’s 2870 heads are Milwaukee’s own 11-R series, forged in aluminum for weight.
Part numbers from RIDGID’s 700 page, read Oct 20, 2026. The ½ in. head was sold new by Amazon.com when we checked on Oct 22, 2026. RIDGID also lists high-speed heads, 37490 (1 in.) and 37505 (2 in.).
Battery or cord: threads per charge and charge times
A cordless drive goes where there’s no outlet yet. The question is whether one charge covers the job.
Drive
Power
Packs in the kit
Threads per charge
Charge time
RIDGID 760 FXP
FXP, 60V max
Two 4Ah (72023)
Up to 30 at 2 in.
4Ah 40 min, 8Ah 80 min
Milwaukee 2874
M18
Two HD12.0 (48-11-1812)
Over 25 at 2 in.
Not on the page we read
Milwaukee 2870
M18
Two XC8.0 (48-11-1880)
Not on the page we read
Not on the page we read
RIDGID 700
115 V, 13 A
Cord
No limit
None
RIDGID 600-I
115 V, 12 A
Cord
No limit
None
RIDGID’s 30-thread figure is its internal testing on 2 in. NPT threads in schedule 40 steel. Milwaukee’s figure is from its 2874-22HD page. Neither maker lists a figure for smaller pipe.
Both 2 in. cordless drives claim a similar count, so a two-pack kit covers 50 or more two-inch threads before you need a charger, by the makers’ numbers. Most residential gas jobs need far fewer, and smaller pipe takes less from each pack.
Platform is the real split. The 2874 and 2870 run on M18 packs that also fit Milwaukee drills, saws and press tools. The 760 FXP runs on RIDGID’s FXP packs, sold as 4Ah (70788) and 8Ah (70793). A cord costs nothing to charge, but on new construction the outlet may be a generator 100 ft away.
Weight: what you hold while it cuts
Every one of these drives is held by hand while it threads. Here are the weights each maker lists.
Longer bar means heavier. From milwaukeetool.com and ridgid.com, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026. Milwaukee lists the 2870 without its battery.
The 2 in. drives all land between 22 and 25 lb. The 1¼ in. drives are about half that. If most of your threading is ½ and ¾ in. gas nipples on service calls, carrying a 25 lb drive and an 11 lb support arm up a ladder gets old fast.
Weight also shows up at the support arm. RIDGID’s manual says to always hold the drive firmly while it threads or backs off, whatever support you use. The arm takes the twisting force; your hands still steady the tool.
Speed: RPM with no load
Faster isn’t always better on a thread. The 2874 manual slows the head down for bigger pipe. These are the makers’ no-load speeds.
Longer bar means faster. From Milwaukee manuals 58-14-0139 and 58-14-0459 and RIDGID’s product pages, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026.
Milwaukee’s 2874 manual sets the dial to 1 (0 to 29 RPM) for 1¼ in. and larger, and to 2 (0 to 41 RPM) under 1¼ in. Milwaukee says the selector helps thread quality across sizes. The 2870 uses trigger pressure instead, so you slow it by easing off.
No-load speed is only part of the story. Under load, with dies biting into 2 in. steel, all of them slow down. A sharp die and plenty of oil do more for a clean thread than a few extra RPM. Our pipe threading oil guide covers what to use.
Support arms and what each manual requires
A hand-held drive twists against the pipe as it cuts. A support arm or wrench takes that force so the drive doesn’t spin you. Each maker’s rule is a little different.
Drive
What the maker says
Support in the kit
Milwaukee 2874
Always use the support arm
Threading support arm
Milwaukee 2870
Always use the support arm; pipe must be secured so it can’t tip
Support arm
RIDGID 700
Support device required at 1 in. and larger: 775 arm or a RIDGID 14 in. heavy duty pipe wrench
Manual lists torque arm and support device as standard; check the listing
RIDGID 760 FXP
Uses a support arm
Support arm in all three 12-R kits
RIDGID 600-I
Dual V-jaw arm to stop slipping
602 arm, 45923; described on the listing
From Milwaukee manuals 58-14-0139 and 58-14-0459, RIDGID 700 manual 940-707-010 rev. H, and RIDGID’s 760 FXP and 600-I pages, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026.
RIDGID’s 700 manual gives a fallback that still works on any jobsite: a 12, 14 or 18 in. heavy duty pipe wrench set about 7 in. from the pipe end, with the drive’s torque arm resting on the handle. The manual says a support device other than the arm must react against the motor housing.
The pipe itself also needs to be held. A pipe vise or tripod stand keeps a stick of pipe from rolling as you thread. Milwaukee’s manuals say the pipe must be stable and secured to prevent tipping, even with the support arm on.
How to cut a thread with a hand-held drive
The steps are the same on all five drives. These come from Milwaukee’s 2874 and 2870 manuals and RIDGID’s 700 manual.
1
Cut square and deburr
Milwaukee’s manuals say a pipe cut at an angle can damage the dies and make the head hard to start. A wheel cutter and a reamer do it right.
2
Secure the pipe
Clamp it in a vise or stand so it can’t roll or tip, with enough pipe sticking out for the drive and arm.
3
Lock in the head
Remove the battery before changing a cordless drive’s die head; unplug a corded drive. Seat the right size head and lock it. Milwaukee’s lock ring clicks; both makers let the head go in from either side.
4
Set the support
Hook the support arm on the pipe per the manual, or set a heavy duty wrench about 7 in. back on a RIDGID 700.
5
Start and oil
Push the head onto the pipe with the side grip or palm pad. Once the dies bite, stop pushing and oil the dies generously.
6
Stop and back off
Release when the pipe end is even with the end of the dies, switch to reverse and run the head off.
7
Check with a ring gauge
Wipe the thread and hand-tighten a ring gauge. The pipe end should sit flush with the gauge face, plus or minus one turn.
If the thread doesn’t gauge, Milwaukee’s manuals say to cut it off, adjust the head and cut another. A torn or thin thread may not seal, no matter how much pipe dope goes on it. For cutting the pipe square first, see our pipe cutter guide.
Kickback safety on each drive
When a die catches, a hand-held drive tries to spin. The cordless drives watch for it; the corded ones rely on the switch and your grip.
Drive
Kickback feature
Switch
Other guards
Milwaukee 2874
AUTOSTOP shuts off on severe kickback
Trigger with forward, reverse and lock
Die head lock ring, side grip
Milwaukee 2870
AutoStop
Variable trigger with lock
Locking head interface, side grip
RIDGID 760 FXP
Torque Reaction Shutoff
Not on the page we read
Palm pad, end-of-thread LEDs
RIDGID 700
None electronic
Reversible, springs back to off
Support device rule at 1 in.+
RIDGID 600-I
None electronic
Two-step momentary on and off
Dual V-jaw support arm
The corded drives aren’t unsafe; plumbers have run them for decades. The point is that you are the backup. RIDGID’s 700 manual says to firmly hold the drive while threading or backing off, regardless of the support device. Milwaukee’s manuals add that support devices can, in rare cases, slip.
Milwaukee’s 2874 manual says one person must control the work and switch. Keep hands clear of the rotating pipe and die head. Wear no gloves, loose clothing or jewelry near moving parts, and never use a rag there: they can catch and pull you in.
Milwaukee and RIDGID are different companies
“Does Milwaukee own RIDGID?” shows up in our own search data for this page. The short answer is no.
Brand
Parent company shown
Where we checked
Milwaukee
Techtronic Industries (TTI)
TTI’s brand list: Milwaukee, Ryobi, AEG, Empire and others; RIDGID isn’t on it
That’s why the 700 and 760 FXP feel like part of one family with RIDGID’s cutters, vises and dies, while Milwaukee’s threaders join the M18 battery line. It’s also why Milwaukee’s manual says “Ridgid 12-R/R12+ series or equivalent”: Milwaukee built its 2 in. drive around the heads plumbers already own.
A Reddit thread near the top of Google asks whether a Milwaukee threader is worth it next to a RIDGID 300. They’re different tools for different volumes.
Option
What it is
When it fits
Manual ratchet set
Die heads turned by a ratchet handle, like RIDGID’s 12-R set 36475
A few threads a year, or as a backup that uses the same 12-R heads
Hand-held power drive
The five drives on this page
Threading on site, in place or near the work
Threading machine
A machine that spins the pipe, like the RIDGID 300
Shop or prefab work with lots of threads
A 12-R ratchet set such as RIDGID’s 36475 set uses the same heads as the 700, the 760 FXP 12-R version and the 2874. Buying one first gives you heads you’ll keep when you add a drive. Stationary machines are a separate decision, covered in our pipe threading machine guide.
When to pick each drive
Most shops need one drive. Here’s how common setups shake out.
Cordless, up to 2 in., starting fresh
RIDGID 760 FXP kit 72023. The ½ to 2 in. heads are in the box.
Cordless, up to 2 in., already on M18
Milwaukee 2874-22HD, plus 12-R heads if you don’t own them.
Power on site, mixed old heads
RIDGID 700. Adapters run 00-R, 0-R, 11-R and 111-R heads.
Service calls up to 1¼ in.
Milwaukee 2870 on M18, or RIDGID 600-I on a cord.
Pipe over 2 in.
None of these. Every drive here tops out at 2 in., per its maker.
12-R heads in a 600-I or 2870
Won’t fit. Both take 11-R series heads only.
How to choose in four questions
Question
If yes
If no
Do you thread 1½ or 2 in. pipe?
Keep going for a 2 in. drive
Milwaukee 2870 or RIDGID 600-I
Is there power where you thread?
RIDGID 700
Keep going
Are your trucks on M18?
Milwaukee 2874-22HD
Keep going
Do you already own 12-R heads?
RIDGID 760 FXP drive or a smaller kit
RIDGID 760 FXP kit 72023
One more check before you buy: count your heads. The drive is a one-time purchase, but a full ½ to 2 in. head set is six heads, and every dull die needs replacing. A kit with heads included often settles the choice on its own. For gas work in black iron, our CSST vs black iron guide covers when threading is the right call.
Questions people ask
Is Milwaukee or RIDGID better for pipe threading?
It depends on size and power. For cordless 2 in. work, the RIDGID 760 FXP kit includes ½ to 2 in. heads and the Milwaukee 2874-22HD runs on M18. For corded work the RIDGID 700 takes the most heads. For 1¼ in. and under, the Milwaukee 2870 is the lightest.
Does the Milwaukee pipe threader use RIDGID dies?
The 2874 does. Milwaukee’s manual says to use RIDGID 12-R or R12+ series die heads or an equivalent, from ⅛ to 2 in. The compact 2870 uses Milwaukee 11-R series heads or an equivalent, up to 1¼ in.
Does the Milwaukee 2874-22HD come with die heads?
No. Milwaukee’s box list is the 2874-20 threader, two HD12.0 packs, the 48-59-1808 charger, a threading support arm and a carrying case.
What size pipe can the RIDGID 700 thread?
RIDGID lists ⅛ to 2 in. pipe with 12-R die heads, and ¼ to 1 in. bolt with 00-RB heads.
Do you need a support arm with the RIDGID 700?
At 1 in. and larger, yes. RIDGID’s manual says a support device, such as the 775 support arm or a RIDGID 14 in. heavy duty pipe wrench, is required to resist the threading forces.
How many threads per charge does a cordless pipe threader get?
Milwaukee rates the 2874 at over 25 two-inch threads per charge. RIDGID rates the 760 FXP at up to 30 two-inch threads, from its internal testing on schedule 40 steel.
Does Milwaukee own RIDGID?
No. Milwaukee is a Techtronic Industries brand, and TTI’s brand list doesn’t include RIDGID. RIDGID’s site, home of the 700 and 760 FXP, is run by Emerson Electric Co.
Can the RIDGID 700 use 11-R die heads?
Yes, with RIDGID’s 772 adapter, which takes 11-R and R-200 heads from ⅛ to 1¼ in. RIDGID’s 770, 771 and 773 adapters cover 00-R and 00-RB, 0-R and 111-R heads.
What’s the difference between 12-R and 11-R die heads?
12-R heads cover up to 2 in. and fit the RIDGID 700, the 760 FXP 12-R version and the Milwaukee 2874. 11-R heads cover up to 1¼ in. and fit the RIDGID 600-I, the 760 FXP 11-R version, and the 700 with an adapter.
Can a hand-held threader cut stainless steel or conduit?
Milwaukee lists black iron, stainless steel and rigid metal conduit for the 2874 up to 2 in. and the 2870 up to 1¼ in. RIDGID says the 700 threads pipe and conduit.
How we compared them
Why trust us
Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia (license #JP507711), owns PlumbingPicks and is responsible for this page. Every number on it comes from Milwaukee’s and RIDGID’s own manuals and product pages, read the same night we checked the listings.
How we compare
Capacity, die heads, speed and support rules from Milwaukee manuals 58-14-0139 and 58-14-0459 and RIDGID’s 700 manual, rev. H.
Weights, kit contents and warranties from each maker’s product page, read Oct 19 and 20, 2026.
The spec score checks pipe range, the kickback stop, whether die heads come in the kit we link, and weight. Speed and warranty aren’t scored: speeds are no-load figures, and RIDGID doesn’t publish the 760 FXP’s warranty term.
Every listing checked as a genuine Milwaukee or RIDGID model, new and in stock, through Amazon’s Creators API at 12:01 AM on Oct 20.
CPSC recall search for Milwaukee pipe threaders, RIDGID power drives and FXP batteries: none.
The spec score, check by check
Each drive gets the same four checks, read from Milwaukee’s and RIDGID’s manuals and product pages, averaged to one decimal. Every pick has to reach 7.0.
Speed and warranty aren’t in the score, because RIDGID doesn’t publish a warranty term for the 760 FXP and the speeds are no-load figures. The 700 scores lowest here, but it’s still the drive to buy if you own 00-R, 0-R or 111-R heads, since it’s the only drive here with adapters listed for them.
Check (weight)
How it’s scored
Pipe range (¼)
10 = threads ⅛ to 2 in.; 8 = ⅛ to 1¼ in.
Kickback stop (¼)
10 = shuts itself off on kickback; 8 = switch that goes off when you let go
Die heads in the box (¼)
10 = die heads included in the kit we link; 7 = none listed
Weight (¼)
10 = under 15 lb as the maker lists it (Milwaukee lists the 2870 without its pack); 8 = 15 to 23 lb; 7 = over 23 lb
Milwaukee 2874-20 operator’s manual 58-14-0139 (⅛ to 2 in., RIDGID 12-R/R12+ heads, 0 to 29 / 0 to 41 RPM, speed settings, threading steps, ring gauge check): milwaukeetool.com, read Oct 19, 2026.
Milwaukee 2870-22 product page and operator’s manual 58-14-0459 (box contents, compact heads, 11-R series, 0 to 35 RPM, 10.62 lb, 19.7 in., warranty): milwaukeetool.com, read Oct 20, 2026.
RIDGID 700 product page and operator’s manual 940-707-010 rev. H (capacity, adapters, 41935 specs, 258 cutter, support device rule, pipe wrench method, standard equipment, 12-R part numbers, Full Lifetime Warranty): ridgid.com, read Oct 20, 2026.
RIDGID 760 FXP product page (threads per charge and test note, Torque Reaction Shutoff, LEDs, palm pad, 42 RPM, 24 lb, 27.8 in., kit numbers, charge times): ridgid.com, read Oct 20, 2026.
RIDGID 600-I product page (capacity, 11-R heads, 1270 W, 12.7 lb, 44913 specs, 602 support arm, Full Lifetime Warranty): ridgid.com, read Oct 20, 2026.
Techtronic Industries brand list: ttigroup.com, read Oct 20, 2026. RIDGID site ownership: ridgid.com footer, read Oct 20, 2026.
Amazon listings for all five drives, the 45178 kit, the 36475 set and the 37390 head (seller, condition, stock): read through the Creators API, Oct 20, 2026, 12:01 AM EDT, and again Oct 22, 2026, 1:15 AM EDT.
Semrush keyword data and the live Google results page for this search: Oct 19 and 20, 2026.
CPSC recall database searched for Milwaukee pipe threaders, RIDGID power drives and RIDGID FXP batteries: Oct 20, 2026.
