Nipple Tool!

[493 Mike]

Hi fellas,
I made this with a 1/2" bolt and a split pin that fit the notch in the heater nipple. Should work good on a new install but, not having tried yet, I don't know if the split pin will hold up for removal of old nipples. I may have to buy a hardened pin to make it tough enough.
Mike

 

[440+6]

I just use my teeth

Oops, you where talking about something else

 

[493 Mike]

I thought RC would be the first responder!
Mike

 

[YY1]

The problem that happens over time is that the top where the notches are corrodes, rendering the notches ineffective.

Your tool, although a neat design, will work on a new one, but will it work on one that's been in water for 10 or more years?

 

[tnfastback]

I thought RC would be the first responder!
Mike

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I just use my teeth

Oops, you where talking about something else

Careful!!! You could chip a tooth...

 

[Dibbons]

My neighbor had some that were hard as nails.

 

[dadsbee]

We still talking about split pins...

 

[Durandal25]

That is brilliant.

 

[493 Mike]

The problem that happens over time is that the top where the notches are corrodes, rendering the notches ineffective.

Your tool, although a neat design, will work on a new one, but will it work on one that's been in water for 10 or more years?

When the nipples are junk I use a tapered punch and a pipe wrench to remove them.
Mike

 

[YY1]

If I'm replacing nipples, I use the new style ones that have a hex built onto the shaft.

My "tool" for the ones that have the notches is a large hinge, with some grinding done so it seats.

Works great. I have another hinge ground to fit the large nip in the front for the bypass hose.

 

[dadsbee]

Nice Mike! So much cleaner and easier to use than the spanner for my 4.5" angle grinder. It was the perfect thickness to turn them in, but a bit hard rotating! lol. Pipe wrench to take old ones out...

 

[Dibbons]

Thanks for the nipple tool ideas, I will have to try them out on a factory cast iron 340 intake I have on hand. My previous nipple tool (see first foto) was not effective at all.