Special pipe wrench

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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 Attached Images
Reply:It's all about the tooling! good jobLarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Get a patent!!!  Seriously   Love it when someone comes up with an idea that makes life easier for everyoneGenius!!!     “I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:You need a brass ring for your chuck instead of shims..What size?I'll give ya one....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply: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.Last edited by Bistineau; 06-08-2012 at 07:10 PM.
Reply:Thank you Larrys and galencwi  Originally Posted by zapsterYou need a brass ring for your chuck instead of shims..What size?
Reply:Awesome idea! I will have to make a couple of those at work to throw in my "custom" tool drawer.
Reply:once again ingenious stuff. but im with bistineau on this one, all you needed was to stick in a nipple hand tight...
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireExplain the brass ring..
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThird pic down..http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=129501Grab the crap out of threads with no damage..Tubing..pipe included..
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireGot it. I'll make something on Monday. Thanks for the example.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterAnytime 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..
Reply: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!!Miller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Forehire, what are using to cut it with in the third pic down on your last post? And what is the cutter mount on?
Reply:Originally Posted by LarrysmachineForhire,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!!
Reply: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.
Reply:Is the slitting saw mounted in a mill or is it in the lathe with the photo rotated sideways.Thanks,Ken
Reply:Originally Posted by KGIORIs the slitting saw mounted in a mill or is it in the lathe with the photo rotated sideways.
Reply: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. Miller Dynasty 200 DXBuildPro TMA52238 (38" x 22")Miller MP-10 & Jackson Nexgen EQC20 Ton Press & Swag HD Press Brake
Reply: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.  Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThe 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.
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2If 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.
Reply:I've been making these parts this way for a few years. The collet chuck has worked well but it take a lot of pressure to hold it firmly in the lathe chuck. So, I just got a Stevenson's ER32 square collet block from the UK that I can use in my big vice. I'm happy for the £16.http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalo...ollet-FixturesI suppose I could have used a bolt down chuck but this one is flexible. I use to re-cut the threads to get it to seat fully but have since switched to leaving the extra threads. It's on there very tight, tight enough that it started to turn in the collet.
Reply:As "Paul Harvey" always said ?Now for the rest of the story" - what the assy used formost of the time i put an elbow on a nipple and screw the nipple in, it's never turned the way i need it - just wanderingThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Originally Posted by RenagadeAs "Paul Harvey" always said ?Now for the rest of the story" - what the assy used formost of the time i put an elbow on a nipple and screw the nipple in, it's never turned the way i need it - just wanderingGreat work Forehire, BUT, tools like this encourage OVERTIGHTENING!Not saying you do. Here is a good explanation of how to assemble tapered pipe thread fittings.http://www.surpluscenter.com/images/techhelp/NPT.pdf
Reply:Another grip additive that I use a great deal is good old rosin. You can still get rosin bags from sporting goods stores. I've never had it mark up a polished steel rifle barrel yet.
Reply:Originally Posted by rexcormackGreat work Forehire, BUT, tools like this encourage OVERTIGHTENING!Not saying you do. Here is a good explanation of how to assemble tapered pipe thread fittings.http://www.surpluscenter.com/images/techhelp/NPT.pdf
Reply:Shoot $20! I think I paid $2 for my rosin bag. I love Frank and Pete Brownell. They are really terrific guys and have helped the industry a ton. But sometimes there are just far cheaper alternatives. And frankly gunsmiths... we look at welders and hope to someday make the big bucks. As for barrel vice, I'm pretty sure you're the one who made his own for one of your previous projects. I bought mine due to time/materials. I do make my own bushings for it regularly out of UHMW, Aluminum, or Lignum Vitae. Mostly the first two anymore. Lignum machines well but it just makes a mess out of a metal lathe. And with my new lathe I'm doing my best not to destroy it with sloppy practices of the past (sanding, grinding, etc) I really need to find a beat to snot 13x40ish lathe for ruining it with those practices.
Reply:Originally Posted by KavallShoot $20! I think I paid $2 for my rosin bag.