Tools used by Dead Men

Luv'nsteam

What tools did The Dead Men use to assemble the steel pipes and cast fittings without marring them?



Thanks,

Mike

EricAune

After just a few short years....

Their bare hands!  Oh the meat hooks those guys must have had.  We got it made!

bob_46

Knowledge

They would always three point their wrench.

mars_6

Please explain three point

This term I have never heard, three point there wrenches. could you please explain. thanks Matt R

Luv'nsteam

Knowledge

Would you elaborate on what it means to "three point the wrench"? 



Thanks!

Mike

Lyle {pheloa} Carter

Tools

One of the best I've seen was the parmalee wrench and they are still in business here's a link.  

[url=http://www.parmeleewrench.com/]http://www.parmeleewrench.com/

nicholas bonham-carter

old tools

does this count as an old enough tool?--nbc

bob_46

Three Point

You adjust the jaws of a pipe wrench so that the jaws touch the pipe or fitting at three

places. The top of the jaw the bottom and the BACK. A wrench adjusted so that it only

contacts the work in two places tries to crush the work.

Al Letellier_21

dead man tools

I have a lot of old tools from dad and granda and great granddad who were all plumbers and amoungs those tools is a set of what looks like clamp on tools if various sizes for tightening brass pipe. Works like a big oil filter wrench or a rubber strap wrench....just clamp on the right size smooth "jaws" and they tighten as the pressure on the handle increases. Just flip the handle and you can loosen the joint. Neat stuff......don't know about the fittings though.

Unknown

Still around,,,,

and I have a few,,,http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Compound-Leverage-Wrench/EN/index.htm

Unknown

Here`s a few,,,

lying around,,,,,

Luv'nsteam

Tools used by Dead Men

Does anyone have any recommendations on tools available today that will securely hold & tighten pipe and cast fittings without marring them?  (Other than a Parmelee wrench, these may do the trick but they are not inexpensive). 



Thanks,

Mike

Unknown

Are you speaking-of,,,

chrome/brass plated finishes?,,,,,,, perhaps strap wrenches will do the trick?

Luv'nsteam

Tools used by Dead Men

Just steel pipe and cast fittings.  I have pipe wrenches aplenty: one is 36" long.  Not much argues successfully with this bad boy.  However, it seriously damages the surface and I simply do not like that.  There are no damaged parts of ANY of my system by the original installers.  I would like to maintain the same level of quality with my repairs and upgrades.



Thanks,

Mike

Luv'nsteam

Strap wrenches

Forgot to mention all of my strap wrenches are garbage.  They were name brands and cost plenty.  However, they broke easily with little input effort.  If you know of a QUALITY strap wrench maker, I will look into it, as strap wrenches do not mar the surface. 



Thanks,

Mike

Unknown

steel pipe and cast fittings

If your doing regular-type steel pipefitting and worried about "wrench-marks" you may be SOL!

I know of no-other way to tighten/loosen standard pipe fittings other than a pipewrench. Look closely,, old-time wrench marks are there.



Apply them carefully, and you wont get many marks!



Perhaps you`re being too picky,, or the jaws require replacement?



Chain-wrenches were common, but these leave marks too.



Strap-wrenches have their place,, but not for this application.

Unknown

pipe wrenches aplenty: one is 36" long.

Ever try a 48" or 60"?,,,,,, even a compound?



Even my guy "Rambo" shutters at these!  ;-)

Luv'nsteam

System assembly tools

So, again I ask, how did The Dead Men do it?  There are NO marks at all on my roughly 100 year old system.  How did they accomplish this??



Thanks,

Mike

Unknown

Well, my guess would be,,,

that back then fittings were made to much more exacting quality standards,, and red-lead was the pipe-dope of many heating men. This would lead to less "warp" tightening,, but not loosening.



An impossibility today, given the fittings we now have to work with. :-)

Larry Weingarten

Parmelee wrenches...

... come up periodically on Ebay without a threatening price.  Monkey wrenches used to be common.  I can imagine most of the time their flat jaws could go on a fitting on the end of the pipe being tightened.  This way you have no marks on the pipe and little on the fitting if it's a 90 or "T".  I've used that trick when a pretty pipe was needed, but am still a live man   :~)



Yours,  Larry

Steamhead

Nope

cause they still make them! ;-)

gerry gill

My chain tongs don't leave marks

but crap, thats a heavy wrench and it only seems to work on pipe, not fittings..course the cast doesn't really show the marks like steel does..

Luv'nsteam

Chain tongs

Unlike the Parmellee wrench, the chain tongs appear to fit a range of pipe diameters.  Just doing a quick search for chain tongs and it is a little overwhelming.  The Titan brand seems to be the most regarded, however, there are several brands (or appear to be- they could be one brand with different names on them).  So, any suggestions on brands to choose or to avoid? 



Thank you,

Mike