Abstract: A drive mechanism for installing thread protectors on threaded pipe ends having a servo motor, a housing, a shaft assembly, and a gripper with a plurality of jaws. The shaft assembly has a hollow shaft, rotationally mounted within the housing, and a solid shaft slidably mounted within the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and solid shaft are coaxial and rotationally coupled. The gripper is mounted on the end of the solid shaft, outside of the housing, and is biased away from the housing. A sensor monitors the relative axial motion between the solid shaft and the hollow shaft.