Rounded off drain plug

[4570Man]

No, all mine were made in 60's or earlier. I dont have one that small. You just convinced me I need that.

Hopefully they aren't riding on their name.

!

That’s what I’m afraid of with the low price. Maybe not. I’ll probably end up buying one to see for myself.

 

[Xfaxman]

I agree. That's why I brought it up... and, I suppose, why TBN is such a great site so that we can share innovations.

I can attest ath: that these "Better Grip"s work as advertised and would work on the OP's rounded off drain plug.

Of course, the question is, "Are they available in North America?

Craftsman has a version of the "Better Grip":

 

[Wagtail]

Yup!
Rigid pipe wrench!
Do they sell Rigid pipe wrenches down under?

I Googled 'Rigid pipe wrench'. It looks like their "Ridgid 'RapidGrip'" type is one that uses a similar principal as the "Better Grip" that is available here in Aus.

 

[sixdogs]

SK tools are still around in lots of places. Good quality and I think better than lots of the combines big box store brands. There's also, gasp, Harbor Freight hand tools, many of which are excellent quality and priced reasonable. I think they are becoming a dominant player.

 

[fried1765]

^^^^
If they're more expensive that must mean that they're better, right?
I've looked at those and they look like nice tools. I don't see myself buying pipe wrenches any time soon though, as there is a plethora of various sizes up to 4 feet on the family homestead.

Expensive or not, in my opinion, Rigid aluminum pipe wrenches are the Mercedes of pipe wrenches.

 

[Big Barn]

Expensive or not, in my opinion, Rigid aluminum pipe wrenches are the Mercedes of pipe wrenches.

I agree. I have a couple of old Made in England Records also.



I grab and make do with the aluminum Ridgid 90 percent of the time.

 

[radios1]

Either way Craftsman was always De Walt/B&D made anyway. Just different brand name.

they don't make their own tools either, it's all made in China, there's one big tool manufacturer there that most American companies source their tools from, THAT is why many tools from many manufacturers look very similar except for branding which of course, changes, brand, color options are what change.. Craftsman tractors and mowers are made by MTD.. smaller outdoor equipment like chain saws are branded by Poulan, who has them made in China..

 

[tjkubota93]

That’s what I’m afraid of with the low price. Maybe not. I’ll probably end up buying one to see for myself.

The $15 is 6". While useful, its tiny. They go up in price almost exponentially. The more common sizes will use up the better part of a 50 $ bill and leave just enough for some beer. The larger sizes are real high.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Custom grind the bottom jaw to fit. Clamp on with as much might as you can. Strike handle with large hammer. I'm sure it will budge, and them break loose.
The Original Locking Wrenches - Tools - IRWIN TOOLS

Thats a great tool but it wont work here. Its meant for hex and will outperform an open end wrench or a tube fitting wrench on hex. It grips round fine too but slips rather soon under torque. Kando has neither at this point -- and he started with a square wrenching shape. A large tap wrench would have been his best bet at that point. - - Now its kinda round and conical. :confused3:

 

[Katahdin]

To make the plug square again, I'd file the edges down with a Harbor Freight air file. Of course, you'd also need an air compressor large enough to support air tools.