Special pipe wrench

[forhire]

I have a little job that requires installing some stainless 1/4" pipe elbows on a short section of pipe. I normally chuck the pipe in the lathe and use a big wrench to crank it down... but invariably the wrench leaves marks on the fitting. Today I got thinking after doing a couple... what would happen if I threaded a length of pipe into the elbow and cranked it down... worked like a champ. So I took a few minutes and made a quick tool. Turns out this tool is way faster than the wrench because I can go full circle with it and best of all... no tool marks.

Pic1: Turned the major diameter. I gave it extra relief if because I wanted the threads to engage deep in the fitting.
Pic2: Threaded with an adjustable die and over cut the thread to get a deep engagement.
Pic3: Drilled out a stainless nut I had handy.
Pic4: Welded the nut into position. Originally I thought I'd need to tighten the wrench but later put on a t-handle so it wasn't really needed. It did give a nice shoulder to tighten against.
Pic5: Finished wrench

[Larrysmachine]

It's all about the tooling! good job
Larry

[galencwi]

Get a patent!!! Seriously Love it when someone comes up with an idea that makes life easier for everyone


Genius!!!

[zapster]

You need a brass ring for your chuck instead of shims..

What size?
I'll give ya one.

...zap!

[Bistineau]

Wouldn't it have been easier to just use a short piece of pipe to accomplish the same thing, weld a T handle to it if you want one? Seems like a lot of extra steps to do the same job. Maybe instead of calling it a pipe wrench you could call it an elbow wrench, since it won't grip a pipe to turn it.

[forhire]

Thank you Larrys and galencwi

Originally Posted by zapster

You need a brass ring for your chuck instead of shims..
What size?

Explain the brass ring. I originally tried boring a chunk of aluminum and slitting it but it didn't hold well. I made these shims from scrap (a long time ago)... they've worked well for this part. I'm definitely interested to learn a better way. The diameter of the pipe nipple is 0.540".

Originally Posted by Bistineau

Wouldn't it have been easier to just use a short piece of pipe to accomplish the same thing, weld a T handle to it if you want one? Seems like a lot of extra steps to do the same job.

By my nature I'm lazy... I'll work really hard at making my job easy.

Sure that would've worked and it definitely went through my head. The only nipples I had on hand are 4". At first I planned on welding a nipple to a piece of flat bar, like a big wrench, but I was afraid the threaded end would eventually bend. I also wanted a stop to transfer some of the load to the face rather than the threads alone. I do dozens of these parts so I wanted a tool that would last and not bend over time. The t-handle came after using it a while and deciding it could be better.

[rancher76]

Awesome idea! I will have to make a couple of those at work to throw in my "custom" tool drawer.

[weldbead]

once again ingenious stuff. but im with bistineau on this one, all you needed was to stick in a nipple hand tight...

[zapster]

Originally Posted by forhire

Explain the brass ring..

Third pic down..
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=129501

Grab the crap out of threads with no damage..Tubing..pipe included..

...zap!

[forhire]

Originally Posted by zapster

Third pic down..
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=129501

Grab the crap out of threads with no damage..Tubing..pipe included..

Got it. I'll make something on Monday. Thanks for the example.

[zapster]

Originally Posted by forhire

Got it. I'll make something on Monday. Thanks for the example.

Anytime I change out brass/bronze bushings I always save them just for this purpose..
Cut a little out of it for expansion or squish then after awhile you will have them to fit almost every OD you can think of..
I use them when dealing with finished journals also..


...zap!

[forhire]

Originally Posted by zapster

Anytime I change out brass/bronze bushings I always save them just for this purpose..
Cut a little out of it for expansion or squish then after awhile you will have them to fit almost every OD you can think of..
I use them when dealing with finished journals also..

With all the junk I have around the shop... I couldn't find old bushings as small as I needed. I ended up turning one from scrap. It took a little more time... but I do a lot of these tubes. You know we all like pictures... enjoy.

[Larrysmachine]

Forhire,
You said you turned one from scrap, if your like me there is nothing called scrap in my machine shop until it is cut into chips laying in the chip pan!!

[KGIOR]

Forehire, what are using to cut it with in the third pic down on your last post? And what is the cutter mount on?

[forhire]

Originally Posted by Larrysmachine

Forhire,
You said you turned one from scrap, if your like me there is nothing called scrap in my machine shop until it is cut into chips laying in the chip pan!!

Too true.

Originally Posted by KGIOR

Forhire, what are using to cut it with in the third pic down on your last post? And what is the cutter mount on?

It's a slitting saw. Not sure the thickness of this one... 0.05 or there about. It was on the arbor already. I've attached the photo I took with it stopped. Basically it's a small saw blade with a key to keep it from spinning. Faster and more accurate than a hack saw.

If you need I can get a photo of the arbor disassembled.

[anickode]

Nice pipe wrench! I just keep a 12" long sch80 steel pipe nipple in 1/8" through 1" for the same purpose... to avoid marring the hell out of fittings.

[KGIOR]

Is the slitting saw mounted in a mill or is it in the lathe with the photo rotated sideways.

Thanks,
Ken

[forhire]

Originally Posted by KGIOR

Is the slitting saw mounted in a mill or is it in the lathe with the photo rotated sideways.

This is in the mill.

[dhem]

Great action shots there! Not many people take the time to do that. Nice machine work too, nothing quite like having a mill and a lathe at ones disposal.

[forhire]

The bushing has worked great for turning the tubes but for wrenching down the elbow fitting is simply doesn't have the grip. The part wanted to rotate. So, in a moment of desperation, I decided to try a collet holder. Wouldn't you know it... works like great with plenty of gripping power! Geez... I have 3 or 4 of these but never thought to try one.

[Oldiron2]

Originally Posted by forhire

The bushing has worked great for turning the tubes but for wrenching down the elbow fitting is simply doesn't have the grip. The part wanted to rotate. So, in a moment of desperation, I decided to try a collet holder. Wouldn't you know it... works like great with plenty of gripping power! Geez... I have 3 or 4 of these but never thought to try one.

If you ever get in a situation with bushings like that slipping on a 'one of' job and don't have anything else to use for holding the part, you can apply a bit of LocTite, then warm it a little to set it faster, allow to cool, and proceed with the work.

I've also used contact cement to attach thin parts to a small temporary "faceplate", put a live center against a small pressure piece on the tailstock side, applied pressure and proceeded to turn the thin part. Does require judicious cutting, depending on the care in applying (and allowing the curing of) the adhesive.

[forhire]

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

If you ever get in a situation with bushings like that slipping on a 'one of' job and don't have anything else to use for holding the part, you can apply a bit of LocTite, then warm it a little to set it faster, allow to cool, and proceed with the work.

Thanks for the tip. I don't use adhesives very often but they can be a real life saver. Never thought to glue the bushing. This is a production part... I have about 30 more to do today. I can't mark the tube while installing the fitting... I've tried a pipe vise, 3 jaw chuck, bronze bushing, and a few others... so far the collet holder is working the best. It isn't the fastest method... but it holds well.