Appartus and method for steering metal pipe during grooving process

A method for guiding metal pipe to a groover, comprising the steps of:

• providing an apparatus comprising:
• a clamp adapted to be secured to a static structure of a grooving press spaced apart from a rotating cylinder of the grooving press, the clamp comprising a pair of spaced openings and a central opening disposed between and axially perpendicular to the pair of spaced openings, the central opening adapted to receive the static structure therethrough;
• a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably disposed through the spaced openings of the clamp and coupled together for sliding movement relative to the clamp;
• a handle coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the handle fixed to first ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods distal from the rotating cylinder;
• and
• a guiding tool coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the guiding tool fixed to second ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods proximate the rotating cylinder, the guiding tool carrying spaced rollers adapted to contact an outer surface of a metal pipe during a roll grooving process to apply a force against the metal pipe;
• wherein the clamp is positioned between the handle and the guiding tool;
• and
• wherein the handle, the guiding tool, and the pair of spaced parallel rods are coupled together as a unit slidable relative to the clamp;
• securing the clamp to the static structure;
• and
• manipulating the handle to apply force on the spaced rollers against the metal pipe during the roll grooving process.