Nipple Removal

[TFLeader]

Have a nipple stuck in a 1862 Springfield. To complicate matters also have a small drill broken off in the nipple. It's not budging. Currently soaking in Kroil. The nipple is toast as have tried to remove it with every small tool in the shop.

Any suggestions?

My last resort method may be dremel it off flush, drill all around the broken drill, redrill and then use an extractor.

Looking for something a little more simple.

 

[dcriner]

When they are really stuck, an extractor bit(easyout) is the way to go. Since you have a bit broken off in the nipple, you will have to drill a hole for the easyout. That may be difficult since the broken bit is made of tool steel.

You might try heating the barrel around the nipple (not the nipple itself). That will enlarge the female threads and make the nipple looser.

Solvents, such Kroil, etc., are a good idea, but they have never worked for me.

 

[Eljay]

I've seen Kroil work wonders but sometimes it takes a while. (meaning, days). Some people also like giving the nipple a whack now and again in the hope of knocking some rust loose. If that fails you can look at the more creative options (heating the outside, cooling the nipple, whatever).

 

[will5a1]

I had a stuck nipple on a M1861 Springfield, soaking it in PB Blaster loosened it eventually. Before you start drilling see if you can fit a 1/4" drive 3" (or longer) extension over the the nipple, not a socket, but the square female end that fits into the ratchett or breaker, the original nipple on my 1861 fits the female end of a 1/4" drive pretty good, your's might also if it isn't all deformed. You can then but a 1" extension on the one over the nipple and put a ratchett or breaker bar on it and apply pressure. You might also try some of the 8 point sockets designed to drive square nuts/bolts.

Gentle heat and taping on the nipple, as indicated in one of the above posts, might help also, but patiently letting it soak in any good penetrating oil is the best thing, in my opinion. Next time you do use a drill see if you can find a set of left handed bits, left handed bits work bettter for me than easy outs or extractors.

 

[der mike]

hope you got nipple out already, if not I had an old 1850's percussion barrel I needed to de-breech, I used a very tiny bit of muriatic acid around the threads. No damage was done to either the breechplug or barrel.took 5 mins.....hope this helps........ der mike

 

[will5a1]

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q738/will5a1/14dronnipple_opt_zps377fc4df.jpg

My memory was off, I used a 3/8"drive 1/4" 8pt on the breaker bar to connect to the 1/4" extension, the 1/4" female end fits the original nipple tight

 

[btech]

Had a stuck nipple on a Colt revolver. Made a tool from 3/16 socket and used 1/4 drive wrench. Came right out no solvents.

 

[TFLeader]

Finally got it off. Dremelled around the broken drill bit and then pulled out the broken drill bit. Drilled the nipple and tried two different types of extractors without any luck. Heated it up with a torch and the gun discharged. I checked with a ram rod before working on it and did not think there was a charge in it. Maybe the Kroil vaporized and ignited??? Not a big bang but good for a startle!

Finally drill out the nipple and retapped the barrel with 5/16 - 20 bottoming tap. Seems fine now.

 

[nkbj]

Man, reading that thread was like going to the dentist. Been using teflon tape on rifle nipples. So maybe it's overboard but I feel all safe, warm and snuggly when come cleaning time, even on those hot muskets and fast twist target shoots.

 

[George T.]

I am very glad you got it out. T/C markets a clear teflon grease for nipple threads and you can use anti sieze from the auto store. You can get teflon pipe dope in the plumbers section of most hardware stores thats cheap. Geo. T.

 

[dcriner]

I hadn't thought of teflon pipe dope or teflon tape. I have been using anti-seize for shotgun screw-in chokes - so far, so good.

 

[dcriner]

I hadn't thought of teflon pipe dope or teflon tape. I have been using anti-seize for shotgun screw-in chokes - so far, so good.

 

[dcriner]

I hadn't thought of teflon pipe dope or teflon tape. I have been using anti-seize for shotgun screw-in chokes - so far, so good.

 

[Eljay]

I use the anti-seize for shotgun chokes too. I thought that was pretty much the standard advice.

 

[GaCop]

hope you got nipple out already, if not I had an old 1850's percussion barrel I needed to de-breech, I used a very tiny bit of muriatic acid around the threads. No damage was done to either the breechplug or barrel.took 5 mins.....hope this helps........ der mike

Good to know!

Tom