Plug removal tip

STEAM DOCTOR

New Williamson,GSA gas steam boiler. Boiler is shipped with right-hand supply plugged and right-hand return plugged. Until a few years ago, these plugs came out relatively easily. Originally with pipes wrench. Once I purchased impact wrench, it was all impact wrench. Would come out in seconds. Last few years, those plugs were impossible. Anyway, today's plugs, refused to come out. 3 foot pipe wrench with 24" cheater. With two other guys holding the boiler. No luck. Impact wrench, no luck. Took some toilet wax. Coated the male plug threads. Took Mapp touch and heated plug until wax started to melt. Stopped and started a few times (don't want to melt the section gaskets, I know, it's unlikely).  Put on the impact wrench and voila, plug came right out. Both the 3" supply plug and the 2.5" return plug. 

STEAM DOCTOR

FWIW, I am 99% sure that I got the wax tip from this site. So hats off to whomever gave me the idea

Big Ed_4

Seems Williamson switch to a hard set thread dope ...

Intplm.

Big Ed_4 said:

Seems Williamson switch to a hard set thread dope ...

Yeah...maybe something like loctite red or blue!? Wow @Steamhead that is a lot to remove a plug. Nice removal. Thanks for the tip.

jumper

Skilled guy I knew used hand impact wrench. Said it's in reverse twist & rap a tap tap.
Of course he had such big forearms that he could probably pop anything with fingers.

Stet

I have a cake of beeswax in my glove compartment. They use it to free up bolts, nuts, and plugs on marine stuff. They sell it at marine hardwares. Heat up the frozen up joint let the wax melt in. Hit it with heat a second time. Let it cool a bit. Comes right out.