Rounded off drain plug

[fried1765]

I vote for vise-grip style pliers as the #1 rounder-offer.

AGREED!

 

[Larus]

I vote for vise-grip style pliers as the #1 rounder-offer.

May I suggest a rounder-offer thread. I am sure there are many tools and techniques for rounding off that have not been discussed here. And, I want pictures and quotes from the wife when she learned about the whole situation. I would read that thread every morning with coffee. There is nothing about reading how someone did something stupid that you have done yourself and saying, "What a dummy. I could never do a thing like that (knowing full well you have, maybe more than once). :thumbsup:

 

[Coyote machine]

I stand corrected on the pipe plugs being of common use in various tractor oil and trans pans, and certain British cars like MG's. In the case of MGs it would likely be a Whitworth plug, not a common NPT thread used in the States for instance.

As for a seperate rounder-offer thread, one could just read this one over and over and by the time one reaches the end- there will be an end- no? one can just begin again.
As far as crescent wrenches there is a right and wrong way to use one. The right way it to have the force applied to the stationery jaw, the wrong way is the opposite, placing the moveable jaw on the flat where force will be applied, which consequently causes slippage, and when the jaw cannot hold anymore the subject nut/flats get rounded off and the trouble begins.

 

[sixdogs]

I stand corrected on the pipe plugs being of common use in various tractor oil and trans pans, and certain British cars like MG's. In the case of MGs it would likely be a Whitworth plug, not a common NPT thread used in the States for instance.

As for a seperate rounder-offer thread, one could just read this one over and over and by the time one reaches the end- there will be an end- no? one can just begin again.
As far as crescent wrenches there is a right and wrong way to use one. The right way it to have the force applied to the stationery jaw, the wrong way is the opposite, placing the moveable jaw on the flat where force will be applied, which consequently causes slippage, and when the jaw cannot hold anymore the subject nut/flats get rounded off and the trouble begins.

I use a Crescent, meaning adjustable wrench the right way and if possible when applying tension keep my thumb on the screw to make sure there is no movement in the width of the jaws. I can't recall ever slipping on anything that I cared about. For some reason, I just presumed everyone did it this way?

 

[Ford850]

I use a Crescent, meaning adjustable wrench the right way and if possible when applying tension keep my thumb on the screw to make sure there is no movement in the width of the jaws. I can't recall ever slipping on anything that I cared about. For some reason, I just presumed everyone did it this way?

I use Crescent wrenches all the time too, and just as you describe to keep a snug fit. But most of the time when I see others use them it's in a 'close enough is good enough' way with a sloppy fit and backwards for some reason.

 

[oosik]

For something like is pictured - I have a small(8" or 10" ) pipe wrench. The more torque applied - the tighter the jaws grip. I've had to use it a few times - never slipped or rounded anything off. Works right - works every time.

 

[JRobyn]

A bunch of what has been suggested on here is just creative ways to machine off some more of the metal on the stuck plug.

IMHO, it will take the welded nut to git-er-loose. Or removing the crossbar and drilling.

But what's the chances that the plug is cheap Chinese cast iron and won't weld well?

 

[ray66v]

A Crescent wrench is okay, if you are talking 3/4" wrench size and up.

On the smaller stuff, you are just asking for trouble.

There is a reason why mechanics spend a lot of money on wrenches.

Is not because all we need is few Crescent wrenches.

Yes, they can work okay on the small sizes, if they aren't real tight, and the hardware is of good quality. But, generally they are real tight, and fasteners are of poorer quality than ever.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Buy, or borrow, a small Stilson wrench.
You will do much better with a Stilson than vise grips...more leverage.

You got me on that one.

Pipe wrench - Wikipedia

 

[ray66v]

A bunch of what has been suggested on here is just creative ways to machine off some more of the metal on the stuck plug.

IMHO, it will take the welded nut to git-er-loose. Or removing the crossbar and drilling.

But what's the chances that the plug is cheap Chinese cast iron and won't weld well?

If it was "cheap cast iron" it would have broken.

The fact that it's soft, is the problem.

But, soft steel should weld fine.

 

[sixdogs]

For something like is pictured - I have a small(8" or 10" ) pipe wrench. The more torque applied - the tighter the jaws grip. I've had to use it a few times - never slipped or rounded anything off. Works right - works every time.

Now that you mention it, I do have a high end pipe wrench that's around 8" or 10" and use it every now and then for just such an application as this. I've never put a pipe on it because it's tight and always works. These work on situations such as this but we'll never know for this one. Everyone should own an expensive smaller pipe wrench for the odd things and someday it will save your bacon. Has to be a good one.

I also have a high end (New Britain) large adjustable wrench that's maybe 16"-18" and it is as tight as can be. It holds perfectly and I have actually used it for small things as well because it's so well machined. If you have one, I'd bet you would use it. I use mine maybe 15 times a year on things from trailer hitches to 1/2" odd things. If you have the need, spend the $$ and get a good one.

Also, I have a Harbor Freight 16"-18" adjustable wrench that I sometimes have to resort to and every time I hold it, I feel like it would be a better weapon than wrench. It's so sloppy I'm going to give it to a visitor some day.

 

[fried1765]

You got me on that one.

Pipe wrench - Wikipedia

I only "got" you "on that one", because I am a very old guy, and Stillson is very old (outdated now, I guess) terminology.
I wasn't trying to be tricky.

 

[bcp]

A Stillson wrench is a type of pipe wrench, in which the part the adjustable jaw goes through is pivoted on the handle instead of being part of the handle.

In this search, most shown are Stillson wrenches, not the rigid Ridgid style.

stillson wrench - Google Search

Bruce

 

[PILOON]

For those tricky situations I have a nice 6 inch pipe wrench that has solved many tricky situations.
Also great for removing studs.
Unlike vice grips, the more pressure you apply the tighter they grip.

 

[Mace Canute]

I vote for vise-grip style pliers as the #1 rounder-offer.

Not necessarily! One of these when used on a hex head bolt or hex nut grips tighter than any other wrench. They also work great on smooth shafts where you don't want to mar the shaft but still need to apply quite a bit of torque to it.

 

[4570Man]

A good adjustable wrench holds as good or better than a regular wrench. The adjustable wrench fits a sloppy tolerance bolt tight and good adjustable wrenches don't loosen up. Vise grips are catching more hate than they deserve IMO. If you had the rounded jaw type they'll get a good bite although probably not the best tool. Any kind of non locking pliers which is what I thought the OP originally used are terrible for getting a grip on a bolt. I'm still not believing the good pipe wrench wouldn't work.

 

[Dftodd]

Guess I'll poke the bear. Took longer to drag the welder over and set it up, then it did to get this one out. Total time for removal was 5 minutes. With impact and socket. Easy breezy. Even got some special effects in the last picture :cool2:

 

[prichard]

Guess I'll poke the bear. Took longer to drag the welder over and set it up, then it did to get this one out. Total time for removal was 5 minutes. With impact and socket. Easy breezy. Even got some special effects in the last picture :cool2:

Nice. Now you just need to run up to IN and do it for Kando.

 

[fried1765]

Guess I'll poke the bear. Took longer to drag the welder over and set it up, then it did to get this one out. Total time for removal was 5 minutes. With impact and socket. Easy breezy. Even got some special effects in the last picture :cool2:

Maybe put some Anti-Seize on the replacement plug threads?

 

[Dftodd]

Maybe put some Anti-Seize on the replacement plug threads?

Nice thing about the company I work for is I can look up who serviced it last. I then talked to the shop foreman at that location. Said mechanic is notorious for installing them with an 8 point socket attached to a 1/2" impact hen hammering till they won't turn any more.

He supposed to be getting re-educated on the proper way to install one of those plugs amongst other things. This same tater head uses a similar process for installing oil and fuel filters. He feels he has to use a filter wrench and crank till he can't crank any more :banghead: If he was at my shop, he would have already been demoted to trash picker, broom pusher, and yard b##ch.

My experience with them is you shouldn't need anti seize on one unless it's a bi-metal install (aluminum/ steel). If you don't go ridiculous, they should come right out using an 8 point socket.