stuck nipples

[lone pine]

I just bought a Whitneyville dragoon. Two of the nipples are stuck fast. Had them basting in hoppes oil for two days and they're still stuck. Ruined two nipple wrenches trying to get them out. Any tips?
ty
lp

 

[Eutycus]

Do you have access to heat? I didn't either so I went the opposite direction. I put the cylinder with the stuck nipple (I only had 1) in a zip lock bag . I then put the bag in the freezer for a couple of days. Something contracted and the nipple came out. Maybe it was the oil, maybe it was the cold. I really can't say but the nipple did come out. Oh, the zip lock bag is so not to get the inside of your freezer oily. For some reason wives tend to frown on that.

 

[Ed C.]

Heat, PBS Blaster or liquid wrench soak, good nipple wrench (Ted Cash) or grind a socket to fit, impact driver.

 

[Flintlock58]

Maybe try to find some Kroil and soak in that. Work good !

 

[SDSmlf]

Once you have let everything soak, inside and out, with your preferred ‘penetrating oil’ (Kroil or acetone ATF 50/50 mix are popular effective options) for a week or so, and you have located a proper fitting wrench/socket that can be held by a drill chuck, a ‘cordless drill driver’ (I use a DeWalt) can be your friend.

The adjustable torque setting on most will work like a poor man’s impact wrench for smaller fasteners. Put the drill on lowest torque setting, and let it hammer away for a bit as the drill’s clutch repeatedly catches and releases. Then increase to the next higher torque setting and repeat. Keep increasing the torque setting until the fastener’s threads release. At least this method has worked for me.

 

[wiscoaster]

Liquid Wrench or Blaster soak overnight, direct impact, driver impact, heat, ice cubes. Proper nipple wrench with tight fit and torque application is crucial. They're not all made the same.

 

[lone pine]

Wis - "They're not all made the same."

yes. I'm finding that out. thanks to all members for the tips

 

[wpage]

Hot torch or lighter. Lubes, and cold...

Over time and tinker it will come out. Keep playing and testing it.

 

[ernbar]

Same thing happened to me when I bought a new 2nd Model Dragoon. Two nipples would not turn at all.
I read somewhere to use a deep 5mm socket (Craftsman at Lowe’s $4) and a Dremel to cut and modify the socket mouth.
I used two pieces of dowels clamped on my heavy vise and inserted the cylinder using the two dowels to keep the cylinder from turning. Now I had both hands free to clamp down and slowly used my socket and wrench to loosen the stubborn nipples. This is the last nipple wrench you will need.

 

[Eutycus]

True enough, almost everyone here probably has a homemade nipple wrench. Alot use the 1/4 inch socket. But do buy one of the better ones. Some of the cheaper sockets aren't a whole lot better than pot metal.

 

[Newly O’Brian]

I had to help a friend with that once.

Use a pin punch and with the cylinder clamped in a lead jaw vice.

Smack the wrench flat low and perpendicular to the threads.

But this is a last ditch effort after the nipple is all buggered up.

 

[sheriff john]

Kroil with repeated re-applications amidst moderate pressure fore and aft. No hurry, let the kroil work its magic.

 

[bldtrailer]

when you get it out and put a new one on use high heat nickel anti seize on the threads (can be found at any auto parts store, for spark plugs) also good on breach plugs

 

[Eutycus]

when you get it out and put a new one on use high heat nickel anti seize on the threads (can be found at any auto parts store, for spark plugs) also good on breach plugs

Some folks use a thin strip of Teflon tape.

 

[kyron4]

when you get it out and put a new one on use high heat nickel anti seize on the threads (can be found at any auto parts store, for spark plugs) also good on breach plugs

I use this. A $4 tube will last 10 lifetimes.

 

[oldramrod]

Kroil is what I use

 

[lone pine]

yes. I sprang for the kroil. it's sitting for now. hope it works.

 

[lone pine]

Pilgrim - "high heat nickel anti seize"

haven't heard of it. what is it? I've NEVER had a nipple seize as tightly as this.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I’ve done similar to ernbar described in his post with a minor difference. I made a Dremeled nipple wrench size notch in a 1/4” drive socket. I put two chamber size dowels in the drill vice on my drill press I put the cylinder on the dowels and mounted homemade socket on a 1/4” drive in the chuck. I held down the socket on the nipple with press lever and turned the chuck by hand. Two extremely stuck nipple came out on a rusted second hand repro 1851. I too had ruin a couple of nipple wrenches before trying this. I think part of the trick is the heavy pressure applied while turning the chuck prevents slip and all the torque goes to the recalcitrant nipple. Do not try this using the motor. Just turn the chuck by hand. I made sure my press was unplugged.

 

[lone pine]

Thank you Jake. I got one of them out finally. I hope I don’t have to take your advice. . I’m going to try again when I get home. Ran some Kroil inside the chamber earlier. Hope it does the trick. Thx for advice.
lp