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Good spud wrench ...

kcopp
kcopp Member Posts: 4,594
in THE MAIN WALL

Does anyone have a listing for a GOOD/Durable spud wrench. I have had a couple of the "cast type" and they really are not that great.

The end snapped off the 1/2" size when I went to remove a spud.

Hot water rad that I had heated up.

The spuds in the nipple were still intact.

thanks

Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,274

    I have had a few of them broken ones too. Its always worth a try … The spud was a assembly tool .. We work on ancient iron :)

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,246
    edited September 29

    set of inside pipe wrenches.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,598

    Cut the nut off the spud. Put something in the spud like a bolt threaded rod or metal bar so it can't crush. Then you (with the nut removed) can get a pipe wrench on the spud with a cheater pipe.

    PC7060ScottSecor
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,821
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1866302#Comment_1866302

    " Put something in " Or maybe the broken spud wrench.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,594

    I have resorted MANY times to cutting off the nut and using a pipe wrench. I was hoping somewhere there was a better tool.

    the $20 versions are garbage.

  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 1,062

    As @Big Ed_4 said, the spud wrench is mostly used as an assembly tool. You can sometimes use it to remove the spud but not the 1/2" size since it too weak for that and it will break off as you have found. Do what the guys say and cut off the nut, put something inside the spud so it can't crush and use a pipe wrench to remove it. Sometimes you can use a 6" Ridgid pipe wrench with a cheater before you cut off the union nut. Sometimes you can use the spud wrench and the pipe wrench at the same time if you prepare correctly or have a third hand to help.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,960

    Just throwing out an idea here, but it sounds like the jaws of a modern pipe wrench are too wide to fit. I use a Hoe wrench (patent date 1922) for much of my work, as it has narrower jaws and fits nicely where modern Stilson wrenches don't.

    1Hoe wrench.JPG

    Yours, Larry

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,594

    Again… In this case the spud Wrench broke… NOT the spuds inside.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,821
    edited September 30

    Not sure if these would be any better for you.

    image.png image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,594

    That is what I have… Or should I say scrapped.

    I guess there is nothing decent out there.

    I will keep using vice grips and a sawzall….😑

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,246

    there is something like this if the id is in the range of these

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Rectorseal-97256-GoldenGrip-Internal-Pipe-Wrench-Set

    image.png
    kcopp
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,821
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1866388#Comment_1866388

    Oh OK, by your description I thought you had this one and you snapped the square drive off.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,477

    What happened to "it's the craftman not the tool?"

    Has anyone succeeded at removing spud from old toilet bowl? Do goosenecks come with new spuds.

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,730

    These three spud wrenches have their uses. Otherwise, it's a big pipe needed.

    th.jpg th-1.jpg th-2.jpg
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,594

    wrong wrench.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,598

    I have had good luck removing spuds with a homemade tool.

    We had a large elementary school where we had to replace all the radiator valves (two pipe steam) so we could install TRVs. I don't know how many radiators there were probably 20 or so.

    The regular spud wrenches wouldn't work. We got 1 spud out I think it was 3/4" IPS and took it back to our shop.

    I found some square steel stock probably 3/4" square and ground the 4 sides down until it fit into the spud tight and would grab the internal spuds. I made it tight enough, so you had to tap it in.

    Made two of them and they worked good lasted for the whole job and no sheared off spuds

    kcopp

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