Just realized a simple trick for getting stubborn fittings loose without heat

Been doing this work for about 20 years now, mostly in refineries around the Gulf. Last month I was stuck on a 2 inch fitting that just would not budge. Usually I'd torch it, but there was a gas line two feet away. A older guy I was working with told me to try something I never thought of. He said to take a hammer and tap the edge of the fitting in one direction a few times, then switch to tapping the other side. Did that for maybe 5 minutes, and it came right off by hand. Something about breaking the rust seal without damaging the threads. Has anyone else used this method or got a different trick for tight fittings in tight spots?

3 comments

3 Comments

victor_butler1d ago

Tapping both sides makes sense for breaking up the rust crystals without mashing the threads flat. Did you try a specific weight of hammer or just whatever was in your pouch? I've seen guys ruin stuff by hitting too hard, so I'm curious if you kept it light or went heavier. Like, a 16 ounce ball peen versus a 2 pound sledge is a different story for delicate threads.

grayjohnson1d ago

Hang on, a 2 pound sledge on threads? You actually watched someone do that? I've seen some questionable techniques in my time but that's a new level of "hold my beer and watch this." I'm half impressed they didn't snap the bolt clean in two before they even got to the rust.

kair651d ago

Did you notice it's the same with stuck jar lids or even a rusty bolt in a gate hinge where you just gotta find the sweet spot between tapping and pounding? Always seems like starting light and working up saves a lot of headaches down the road.