Replacement Power Tong Jaws, Dies and Gripping Inserts

Description

Goldenman supplies replacement jaws, dies and gripping inserts for hydraulic power tongs used in tubing, casing and drill pipe makeup and breakout operations.

Available components include complete master-tong jaw sets, backup-tong jaws, replaceable toothed inserts, curved gripping dies, short dies, locking rings and model-specific mounting components.

Replacement parts can be supplied according to:

• Power tong manufacturer and model
• Original part number
• Tubular outside diameter
• Tool joint or coupling outside diameter
• Existing jaw and die dimensions
• Approved dimensional drawing
• Customer-supplied unused sample

Goldenman supports standard and project-specific gripping configurations for tubing, casing, drill pipe, tool joints and couplings.

Compatibility is confirmed from the complete tong interface—not from pipe size alone.

Product Short Description

Goldenman Power Tong Jaws and Dies are replaceable gripping components used to transfer makeup or breakout torque from a hydraulic tong to the tubular.

The available range includes tubing tong jaws, casing tong jaw sets, drill pipe tong inserts, master-tong dies and backup-tong gripping components.

Standard tooth patterns include pyramid, coarse, plain and diamond-style configurations. Reduced-marking, fine-tooth or special-radius gripping solutions can be developed when confirmed by the tubular surface, torque and tong requirements.

Product Highlights

• Replacement jaws and dies for hydraulic power tongs
• Master-tong and backup-tong components
• Tubing, casing and drill pipe applications
• Complete jaw sets and individual inserts
• Forged and precision-machined components
• Replacement parts by model or original part number
• Custom manufacturing from approved drawings
• Dimensional matching from unused samples
• Standard, coarse, pyramid and diamond-style tooth profiles
• Project-specific fine-tooth and controlled-mark options
• Curved gripping profiles matched to tubular OD
• Jaw sets for pipe body, coupling and tool joint gripping
• Configurations for high-torque breakout
• Solutions for S-135 and other high-strength drill pipe
• Options for CRA, coated and reduced-marking tubulars
• Material, heat-treatment and hardness inspection
• Dimensional and fit-up reports available
• Spare-parts packages for field replacement

What Is the Difference Between a Power Tong Jaw and a Tong Die?

The terms “jaw” and “die” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they normally describe different components.

Power Tong Jaw

The jaw is the larger load-carrying component installed inside the tong head.

Its functions include:

• Supporting the gripping inserts
• Moving inward toward the tubular
• Transferring torque from the tong head
• Maintaining the required contact radius
• Distributing gripping force
• Positioning the dies against the tubular

A complete jaw may include:

• Jaw body
• Die pocket
• Replaceable dies
• Retaining pins
• Springs
• Locking ring
• Cam or roller interface
• Mounting components

Power Tong Die

The die is the replaceable contact component installed on the jaw.

It directly contacts the tubing, casing, tool joint or coupling.

Its functions include:

• Developing grip on the tubular surface
• Preventing slippage
• Transferring torque
• Distributing local contact pressure
• Protecting the jaw body from direct wear

Power tong dies may also be described as:

• Tong inserts
• Gripping inserts
• Jaw inserts
• Pipe dies
• Casing tong inserts
• Drill pipe tong dies

When requesting a quotation, buyers should clearly state whether they require a complete jaw assembly or only the replaceable die.

Main Product Categories

Tubing Power Tong Jaws and Dies

Tubing Power Tong components are used for smaller tubulars and tubing couplings during workover, completion and well-servicing operations.

Selection priorities include:

• Accurate pipe-size matching
• Proper coupling clearance
• Stable grip at moderate torque
• Reduced marking of tubing surfaces
• Fast jaw replacement
• Compatibility with master and backup tongs

Available components can include:

• Tubing body jaw sets
• Tubing coupling jaws
• Master-tong dies
• Backup-tong dies
• Reduced-marking inserts
• Complete size-change kits

Casing Power Tong Jaws and Dies

Casing operations involve larger diameters and generally greater torque.

Casing tong gripping systems should provide:

• Wide circumferential contact
• Stable torque transfer
• Correct jaw curvature
• Controlled localized pressure
• Protection against casing ovality
• Suitable coupling and pipe-body clearance

For thin-wall or high-strength casing, jaw geometry and contact width must be reviewed carefully.

Simply using more aggressive teeth does not eliminate slippage and may increase the risk of casing deformation.

Drill Pipe Power Tong Jaws and Dies

Drill pipe power tong components are commonly selected for:

• Tool joint makeup
• Tool joint breakout
• High-torque drilling connections
• Tight connection recovery
• Repeated tripping operations
• Repair and rig-service operations

Selection should consider both:

• Drill pipe body OD
• Tool joint OD

The tool joint is normally larger and stronger than the pipe body. A jaw selected only from the nominal drill pipe body size may not fit the actual gripping location.

Backup Tong Jaws

Backup tong jaws hold the stationary side of the connection and absorb reaction torque.

They may grip:

• Pipe body
• Coupling
• Tool joint
• External upset
• Casing body

The backup tong jaw range can differ from the master-tong range.

A complete quotation should specify the required component position:

• Master tong
• Backup tong
• Upper tong
• Lower tong
• Makeup side
• Breakout side

Available Tooth Profiles

The existing Goldenman range includes page-listed profiles such as:

• Pyramid
• Coarse
• Plain
• Blue Diamond Tooth

Additional project-specific profiles may be developed after technical review.

Pyramid Tooth

A pyramid-style tooth provides multiple concentrated gripping points.

It may be selected for:

• Standard steel tubulars
• General makeup and breakout
• Moderate-to-high torque
• Applications requiring strong initial bite

The tooth height and spacing must be controlled to avoid excessive penetration.

Coarse Tooth

A coarse profile provides relatively aggressive contact and can improve grip on conventional carbon-steel tubulars.

It may be considered for:

• Heavy-duty breakout
• Worn tubular surfaces
• Mud-contaminated rig-floor conditions
• High connection resistance

Coarse teeth should not automatically be selected for thin-wall, coated or corrosion-resistant tubulars.

Fine-Tooth or Controlled-Mark Profile

A fine-tooth profile distributes contact across more teeth and may reduce individual tooth penetration.

It can be considered for:

• High-strength drill pipe
• Thin-wall tubing
• Premium connections
• Controlled-mark applications
• Tubulars with strict surface acceptance limits

Fine teeth still require the correct jaw radius, contact area and gripping force.

Plain or Smooth Profile

A plain or smooth gripping surface may be used in selected low-mark or special tubular applications.

Its suitability depends on:

• Friction coefficient
• Tubular surface condition
• Required torque
• Available clamping force
• Contact area
• Coating or alloy type

A smooth die that protects the surface may not provide adequate grip for high breakout torque unless the complete gripping system is designed for that purpose.

Diamond-Style Tooth

Diamond-style patterns provide multi-directional gripping features and may be used for selected tong and tubular configurations.

The exact tooth geometry, orientation and intended application must be confirmed from the Goldenman product drawing.

Page-Listed Power Tong Compatibility References

The current Goldenman product range includes replacement references for equipment such as:

Application	Page-Listed Compatibility References
Drill pipe power tongs	BJ Drill Pipe Power Tong, RUSHI ZQ203-100/125
Casing power tongs	BJ Power Casing Tong, Eckel Power Casing Tong, Farr Power Tong
Tubing power tongs	TD Tubing Power Tong, selected Weatherford configurations
General power tong systems	Eckel Model 850, BJ Powermatic, selected Farr models
Custom replacements	Drawing-, part-number- or sample-based components

All manufacturer and model names are used only to identify the requested replacement interface.

Goldenman replacement parts are not represented as genuine products of another manufacturer unless documented original components are specifically supplied.

Page-Listed Jaw Set Sizes

The existing page lists complete jaw-set references for the following tubular sizes:

Jaw Set Reference	Nominal Tubular Size
Jaw Set 1	2.375 in / 2-3/8 in
Jaw Set 2	2.875 in / 2-7/8 in
Jaw Set 3	3.500 in / 3-1/2 in
Jaw Set 4	4.000 in
Jaw Set 5	4.500 in / 4-1/2 in
Jaw Set 6	5.000 in
Jaw Set 7	5.500 in / 5-1/2 in

These sizes appear to reference a specific tong family and should not be presented as universal jaw sets.

 

How to Select the Correct Power Tong Jaws and Dies

1. Identify the Exact Tong

Provide:

• Tong manufacturer
• Tong model
• Serial number
• Master or backup tong
• Open-head or closed-head design
• Jaw quantity
• Existing jaw part number
• Existing die part number
• Equipment parts manual

“5-1/2 inch Power Tong” is not enough information to identify a replacement jaw.

2. Confirm the Actual Gripping Diameter

Specify whether the jaw grips:

• Pipe body
• Tubing coupling
• Casing coupling
• Drill pipe tool joint
• External upset
• Premium connection accessory

Provide the actual OD in millimeters or inches.

Nominal tubular size does not always equal gripping diameter.

3. Confirm Makeup and Breakout Torque

The jaw and die system must transfer the required torque without slipping or causing unacceptable surface damage.

Provide:

• Normal makeup torque
• Maximum makeup torque
• Normal breakout torque
• Maximum anticipated breakout torque
• Frequency of tight or stuck connections
• Torque monitoring method

Breakout torque may be substantially higher than the original makeup torque after drilling, temperature exposure, corrosion or long service.

4. Define the Tubular Material

Provide:

• Carbon-steel grade
• Drill pipe grade
• Casing or tubing grade
• CRA material
• Chrome-plated surface
• External coating
• Hardbanding condition
• Surface hardness
• Remaining wall thickness

The correct die for standard carbon steel may be unsuitable for CRA or coated tubulars.

5. Confirm the Mounting Interface

For a replacement die, provide:

• Overall length
• Width
• Thickness
• Mounting-hole location
• Retaining groove
• Pin diameter
• Back profile
• Tooth orientation
• Tooth height
• Tooth pitch
• Curvature radius

For a complete jaw, also provide:

• Jaw body dimensions
• Cam or roller interface
• Locking-ring groove
• Pivot or guide dimensions
• Mounting direction

6. Define the Permitted Pipe Marking

Projects may specify limits for:

• Die-mark depth
• Tooth penetration
• Surface indentation
• Coating damage
• Tool joint marking
• CRA surface damage
• Stress concentration

This information is especially important for high-strength drill pipe, thin-wall tubing and premium tubulars.

Preventing S-135 Drill Pipe Crushing and Deep Die Marks

High-strength drill pipe such as S-135 may require high makeup and breakout torque.

The gripping system must transfer this torque without producing excessive localized pressure.

Risk increases when:

• Jaw contact area is too narrow
• The jaw radius does not match the tool joint
• Dies are too aggressive
• Only part of the die surface contacts the tubular
• Hydraulic gripping pressure is excessive
• Jaw segments are worn unevenly
• The tong grips the pipe body instead of the approved tool joint
• Tool joint OD has been reduced by wear
• Hardbanding interferes with jaw seating

Possible damage includes:

• Deep die penetration
• Local surface indentation
• Oval deformation
• Tool joint damage
• Stress concentration
• Reduced fatigue performance
• Pipe slippage followed by sudden re-gripping

The correct solution is not simply to increase tooth sharpness or hydraulic pressure.

Goldenman reviews:

• Drill pipe grade
• Tool joint OD
• Tool joint remaining wall
• Required torque
• Jaw curvature
• Die contact width
• Tooth geometry
• Number of jaw segments
• Hydraulic clamping force
• Maximum permitted marking

For critical S-135 operations, a controlled-mark profile and wider contact geometry may be preferable to a narrow, highly aggressive die.

Tubing and Casing Deformation Risk

Tubing and casing can be damaged when the jaw system applies excessive localized radial force.

Risk is higher with:

• Thin-wall tubulars
• High-strength, low-wall designs
• Corroded tubulars
• Large-diameter casing
• Non-matching jaw radius
• Worn or mismatched jaw segments
• Excessive gripping pressure
• Aggressive teeth
• Contact near an upset transition
• Poorly supported backup tong

To reduce deformation risk:

• Match jaw radius to actual OD
• Use a complete matched jaw set
• Confirm coupling and body dimensions separately
• Use the widest practical contact area
• Control hydraulic gripping pressure
• Replace unevenly worn dies
• Verify pipe wall condition
• Use project-approved reduced-marking inserts

Pipe Body vs Tool Joint Gripping

Drill pipe body and tool joint gripping are not the same application.

Pipe Body

The pipe body normally has:

• Smaller OD
• Thinner wall
• Lower resistance to localized radial loading
• Greater sensitivity to crushing and ovality

Tool Joint

The tool joint normally has:

• Larger OD
• Greater wall thickness
• Higher torque-transfer capability
• Possible hardbanding
• Different surface hardness

Where possible, drill pipe connection torque should be transferred through the approved tool joint gripping location.

The buyer should not assume that one jaw set can grip both the pipe body and tool joint.

Master Tong vs Backup Tong Jaws

Master and backup jaws may differ in:

• Gripping diameter
• Jaw body geometry
• Tooth direction
• Cam interface
• Rotation direction
• Contact radius
• Part number
• Required clamping force

The master tong rotates the connection.

The backup tong absorbs reaction torque and holds the stationary tubular.

A master-tong jaw should not be installed in the backup tong unless the equipment design explicitly confirms interchangeability.

Material and Heat Treatment

Goldenman page data states that the dies and inserts are forged and machined.

The exact material and heat-treatment specification should be defined by the approved component drawing.

The technical datasheet should identify:

• Material grade
• Forging or bar-stock route
• Heat-treatment condition
• Surface hardness
• Core hardness
• Effective hardened depth where applicable
• Impact or toughness requirement
• Tooth-area treatment
• Corrosion protection
• Batch or heat traceability

The webpage should not publish one universal hardness value for every jaw and die.

A casing tong jaw body, drill pipe insert and reduced-marking tubing die may require different material and hardness relationships.

Replacement from Part Number, Drawing or Sample

Replacement by Part Number

This is the preferred method when the equipment model and revision are known.

Goldenman still confirms:

• Manufacturer
• Tong model
• Serial number
• Part revision
• Jaw position
• Tubular size

Replacement by Drawing

A fully dimensioned drawing should include:

• Overall dimensions
• Mounting interface
• Tooth profile
• Tooth pitch and depth
• Radius
• Material
• Heat treatment
• Hardness
• Tolerances

Replacement by Sample

An unused sample provides a useful basis for measurement and fit verification.

A worn sample may have:

• Reduced tooth height
• Deformed mounting surfaces
• Enlarged pin holes
• Lost curvature
• Permanent distortion
• Unverified previous repairs

A worn component should not be the only basis for reproducing a safety-critical gripping part.

Installation Requirements

Before installing replacement jaws or dies:

1. Confirm the tong model and jaw position.
2. Verify the part number and dimensions.
3. Clean the jaw pockets.
4. Inspect pins, springs and retaining components.
5. Check jaw-body wear.
6. Confirm all dies are the same type and revision.
7. Verify correct tooth orientation.
8. Check free jaw movement.
9. Perform a low-pressure gripping test.
10. Confirm full circumferential contact before applying torque.

Do not mix:

• New and heavily worn dies
• Different tooth profiles
• Different material grades
• Different jaw radii
• Different part revisions
• Master- and backup-tong components

Inspection and Replacement Criteria

Inspect dies and jaws before use and during scheduled maintenance.

Die Inspection

Check for:

• Rounded teeth
• Broken teeth
• Cracks
• Chipping
• Uneven wear
• Polished gripping surfaces
• Corrosion
• Loose fit
• Damaged retaining grooves
• Deformation

Jaw Inspection

Check for:

• Cracks
• Worn die pockets
• Elongated pin holes
• Cam-interface wear
• Deformation
• Incorrect curvature
• Damaged locking grooves
• Corrosion
• Unauthorized repair welding

Dies should be replaced when:

• The tong begins to slip
• Tooth profiles are rounded
• Pipe marking becomes uneven
• Torque readings become unstable
• Dies no longer seat securely
• Cracks or broken teeth are found
• Jaw contact becomes incomplete

Replacing dies before complete failure helps reduce pipe damage and unplanned rig downtime.

Common Causes of Power Tong Slippage

Incorrect Die Size

The contact radius does not match the tubular OD.

Worn Teeth

Rounded teeth cannot develop sufficient grip.

Mud or Oil Contamination

A contaminated tubular surface reduces friction.

Low Hydraulic Clamping Pressure

The jaws may not develop sufficient radial force.

Excessive Breakout Resistance

The required torque exceeds the capability of the selected tong and die system.

Uneven Jaw Contact

One jaw may carry most of the gripping load.

Incorrect Tooth Direction

Some directional profiles must be installed in a specific orientation.

Worn Jaw Body

New dies cannot compensate for a damaged jaw pocket or cam mechanism.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Goldenman manufacturing and inspection controls can include:

• Raw-material certificate verification
• Heat-number and batch traceability
• Forging inspection
• Machining dimensional inspection
• Jaw radius inspection
• Die length, width and thickness inspection
• Mounting-interface inspection
• Tooth profile inspection
• Tooth pitch and height inspection
• Heat-treatment record verification
• Surface-hardness testing
• Core-hardness testing where specified
• Magnetic-particle inspection of critical jaw bodies where required
• Visual inspection
• Fit-up inspection in a reference jaw or tong
• Tubular contact-pattern verification
• Retaining-component inspection
• Product marking verification
• Final documentation review

Project-specific functional or gripping tests can be agreed before production.

Available Documentation

The documentation package can include:

• Certificate of Conformity
• Approved component datasheet
• Compatibility or cross-reference drawing
• Material certificate
• Heat-treatment record
• Hardness report
• Dimensional inspection report
• Tooth-profile inspection report
• Fit-up inspection record
• Batch and product traceability
• Magnetic-particle inspection report where required
• Sample grip-test report where agreed
• Packing list
• Third-party inspection report

API documentation should only be referenced according to Goldenman’s actual licensed equipment scope.

Power Tong Jaws and Dies should not be described as independent API Monogram products unless the relevant certificate explicitly supports that claim.

Recommended Spare-Parts Planning

For continuous rig operation, a spare package may include:

• One or more complete master-tong jaw sets
• One complete backup-tong jaw set
• Multiple replacement die sets
• Jaw pins
• Die retaining pins
• Springs
• Locking rings
• Cam rollers
• Jaw guides
• Fasteners
• Model-specific installation tools

Spare quantities should reflect:

• Number of tubular sizes
• Makeup and breakout frequency
• High-torque breakout history
• Pipe surface condition
• Distance from the service base
• Delivery lead time
• Availability of local replacement parts

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Power Tong Jaws and Dies standalone API-certified products?

Power Tong Jaws and Dies are replacement gripping components.

The current API 7K licensing list does not identify jaws or dies as a separate API Monogram product category. Any API wording must therefore follow Goldenman’s actual licensed equipment scope and supporting documentation.

The page should not use “API-certified Power Tong Dies” as an unqualified product claim.

Can two power tongs using the same pipe size use the same jaw set?

Not automatically.

The tong-head geometry, jaw radius, cam system, mounting interface, retaining components and part numbers may differ even when both tongs grip a 5-1/2 in tubular.

Is matching the original part number enough?

The part number is the best starting point, but the equipment manufacturer, model, serial number, revision and jaw position should also be confirmed.

Similar numbers or different suffixes may represent different revisions.

What is the difference between a jaw set and a die set?

A jaw set includes the larger gripping bodies installed inside the tong head.

A die set includes the smaller replaceable toothed or textured inserts mounted on those jaws.

Some quotations described as “jaw sets” may include dies, while others supply the jaw bodies only. The scope must be stated clearly.

Are coarse dies always better for high breakout torque?

No.

Aggressive teeth can improve initial bite but may create deep marks, localized stress and tubular deformation.

High torque should be transferred through the correct jaw radius, sufficient contact area and controlled gripping force—not tooth aggression alone.

Which dies should be used for S-135 drill pipe?

Selection should be based on the tool joint OD, remaining wall thickness, required breakout torque, acceptable marking and power tong gripping system.

For critical S-135 service, controlled-mark or fine-tooth profiles with adequate contact area may be more appropriate than narrow, aggressive teeth.

Can one jaw set grip both the drill pipe body and tool joint?

Usually not.

The tool joint has a larger OD and thicker wall than the pipe body. The required jaw radius and gripping pressure may therefore be different.

Why does a power tong slip after installing new dies?

Possible causes include:

• Wrong die dimensions
• Wrong tooth direction
• Incorrect jaw radius
• Worn jaw pockets
• Low hydraulic pressure
• Contaminated tubular surface
• Insufficient contact area
• Torque above the tong’s capacity
• Mismatched jaw segments

New dies cannot correct a damaged jaw or undersized tong.

Can reduced-marking dies provide the same torque as aggressive steel dies?

It depends on the contact area, material, friction, clamping force and required torque.

Reduced-marking dies must be qualified for the specific tubular and operating condition. Surface protection and maximum torque must be evaluated together.

Should all dies in one jaw set be replaced together?

Matched replacement is normally recommended when wear is significant or uneven.

Mixing new and heavily worn dies can cause uneven contact and concentrate gripping load on only part of the tubular.

Can Goldenman manufacture replacement jaws from a used sample?

A used sample can assist identification, but wear and deformation must be considered.

The preferred basis is the original part number, equipment manual or approved drawing supported by the sample.

What information is required to replace a backup-tong jaw?

Provide the tong manufacturer, model, backup-tong position, tubular or coupling OD, jaw part number, die part number, dimensions and photographs.

Master- and backup-tong jaws should be identified separately.

Information Required for Quotation

Please provide:

• Power tong manufacturer
• Power tong model
• Equipment serial number
• Master or backup tong
• Required component: jaw, die or complete set
• Original part number
• Part revision or suffix
• Tubular type
• Pipe body OD
• Coupling OD
• Tool joint OD
• Tubular grade
• Wall thickness
• Surface coating or hardbanding
• Required makeup torque
• Expected breakout torque
• Existing tooth profile
• Required tooth profile
• Maximum acceptable pipe marking
• Jaw or die dimensions
• Mounting-hole and retaining details
• Required material
• Required hardness
• Required quantity
• Required spare pins, springs and rings
• Inspection-document requirements
• Destination country
• Required delivery schedule

For custom replacements, please also provide an approved drawing or an unused sample where possible.

Request a Technical Quotation

Goldenman supplies Power Tong Jaws, Dies and Gripping Inserts for tubing, casing and drill pipe makeup and breakout equipment.

Replacement components can be matched according to the tong manufacturer, model, original part number, tubular size, approved drawing or sample.

Send the tong model, jaw position, pipe or tool joint OD, required torque, part number and component photographs to:

Email: info@goldenman.com

Goldenman will review the gripping interface and prepare the recommended jaw set, tooth profile, compatibility drawing and commercial quotation.