Track of the Wolf has a number of different nipple wrenches but, reading the ad's between the lines gives me the feeling that they are not hardened.
Every one of the ad's gives warnings saying Do Not use excessive force or you will damage the forked fingers.
Now that you mention it, it would be a good idea for everyone who has a nipple wrench to buy some Kasenit and harden the working end of their wrenches.
Kasenit is a carburizing material which will add carbon to the surface of the steel. This in effect changes the surface of the wrench into a high carbon steel which can be hardened.
The hardened surfaces will be much more resistant to becoming rolled over or burred.
Because this is a very shallow surface treatment, it won't increase the yield strength of the steel much so there is still a chance of bending the fingers if too much pressure is exerted.
If you have some Kasenit and wish to harden the nipple wrenches surfaces you first have to remove the black oxide coating. A good rust or blueing remover will do that task.
With the surfaces clean, heat the tip of the wrench with a propane torch until they are glowing red hot. Then plunge the hot tips into the Kasenit powder. It will melt and stick to the surface.
Heat the blob of Kasenit bright red hot and keep it that way for at least a minute. Longer is better because it allows the carbon to penetrate deeper into the surface. (If it seems to desolve and disappear replunge it into the powder and reheat it.
When you become totally bored with watching the blob glow, drop the whole wrench into a pan of warm water.
BEWARE! When the Kasenit hits the water, it will make a loud
POP and blow water and pieces of itself up into the air.
If you are really into doing the whole job, put your wrench into a oven set at 400 degrees F for a half an hour, remove it and wire brush it to remove any scale and your done. :grin:
zonie
PS: For those not familure with Kasenit it is a powder that does not give off any toxic fumes. It is not poisonous and can be bought from Dixie Gunworks or from Track of the Wolf. It is very inexpensive. :grin:
