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Author:
pareti (NY)
Hello,
I need to extract a 3/8" broken chrome pipe nipple from its fitting which is about 1 ½” behind the tiles. I went to Home Depot for advice; they recommended HDX Pipe Nipple Extractor which I used; however, not only it did not work, but also it ground the inside of the nipple; so the inside of the 3/8" pipe nipple is now slightly bigger and the extractor tool does not grab it anymore. Would you kindly recommend a tool that would get the job done? It is an 80+ year old house and I do not want to break the walls because of Asbestos issues.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
That extractor goes inside a pipe nipple. If you're wearing threads, there is no pipe. If there are threads visible inside, what is left of the nipple, you used the wrong tool. The broken stub should collapse towards the center of the pipe. How best to do, most likely, that requires being there.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
The best type does not come in a 3/8" size,so you need a "nipple extractor" which has center cam which grabs the inside, rather than one which depends on flutes.
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Author:
pareti (NY)
Hi Paul48,
Thank you very much for your response.
I meant the extractor tool ground the inside of the pipe nipple. so the nipple is still there but its inside diammeter is now a little larger and the tool can not grab it anymore. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Author:
pareti (NY)
Hi hj,
Thank you very much for your response.
Do you think this Internal Nipple Wrench would work?
Here's its image.
If you know of any specific wrench, please let me know.
Thanks a mil.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
it has an 'eccentric' central mounted jaw which will grab
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
pareti (NY)
Hi bernabeu,
Thank you very much for your response.
Is the tool you mentioned the same as this:
if different, would you kindly provide me with its brand/tool name or let me know where I can buy it from.
Thanks again
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Author:
packy (MA)
depending on how much of the nipple is left, a 3/8 pipe tap may work.
the nipple is soft brass so turn the tap in a little, take it out clean the female threads and turn in a little more.
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Author:
pareti (NY)
Hi packy,
Thank you for your response
The inside of the nipple is only slightly grounded; so the 3/8” pipe nipple extractor cannot grab it any more.
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Author:
Don411 (IN)
Here is a method I have used with success in many applications, although it is time consuming. Take a hacksaw blade and cut it lengthwise for about 2" from the back of the blade. Hand grinder with a cutoff blade works best for this. Make a crosscut at the end of the lengthwise cut so you remove part of the blade. You should now have a hacksaw blade that will fit inside the 3/8" nipple. Note I said to cut from the back of the blade so that when you insert the skinny end into the nipple you will cutting on the pull stroke instead of the push stroke.
Insert the blade in the nipple and cut through the nipple until you reach the threads, note you will leave a groove in the threads of the fitting the nipple is threaded into.
Once the nipple is cut through, tap with a small chisel at the end of the nipple to push it away from the fitting threads, basically collapsing the nipple on itself and reducing its outside diameter. Once sufficiently free you should be able to grab it with needle nose pliers and pull/twist it out. If the fitting threads are in rough shape, clean up with a tap.
Optional method: you can also do the same trimming of a SawzAll blade although if the fitting is not secured in the wall you will get vibration which could cause other damage in the wall. Hand method is safest but slowest.
Re-Modeling homes for 35 years.
I am NOT a licensed plumber.
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Author:
pareti (NY)
Would these work?
Thank you very much for your response.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
Quote
Hi bernabeu,
Thank you very much for your response.
Is the tool you mentioned the same as this:
if different, would you kindly provide me with its brand/tool name or let me know where I can buy it from.
Thanks again
YES, same tool
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
IF they make it in 3/8" size, it should work.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Just make sure the cam is centered on the broken piece and the outer grooves are contacting the rest of it.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
hat process will range from difficult to impossiblem with a fitting 2" behind the wall and a small opening in the wall.
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Author:
Don411 (IN)
Yes, but it is do-able I've done it. Slow and tedious for sure and not ever your first choice, but is a Plan B in case nipple extractor tool doesn't work. Wonder if the OP got the nipple out?
Re-Modeling homes for 35 years.
I am NOT a licensed plumber.
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