Nipple Wrench Question

Scorpion · January 26, 2009, 08:40:08 AM

Pards,

Who makes the best nipple wrench for Pietta 58's? I've tried the inexpensive ones, but stubborn nipples are to much for them. I see Dixie Gun Works and the Possibles Shop sell them, but I'd appreciate advice from pards with experience. I would think hardened steel would be best.

Thanks in advance.

S

Major 2 · January 26, 2009, 12:24:44 PM

+ 1 on the answer on this one

Pard has broke 3 of mine on his 58 ...which worked well for years on my Colts $:-\$

Logan Hawke · January 26, 2009, 05:51:22 PM

I have broken one myself on my Pietta '58 and have another one that doesn't look like it could take a lot to break it.

BUT I was doing some searching on the net to see if there were any better quality ones out there and ran across a post on another board of a guy that said he took a good 1/4" deep well socket and used a Dremel to cut the end of it to make his own custom nipple wrench.

I'm going to run with this idea and make me one also..........in theory I think this will work and there is only one way to find out.

Pettifogger · January 26, 2009, 07:43:51 PM

Never found one a commerical one that was worth a darn. Even ones ones advertised as being "premium" quality were made of soft steel. Finally made one out of a grade 8 bolt and it works fine.

Oddman · January 26, 2009, 10:33:34 PM

I also have broken a couple of wrenches, I went to Dixie Gun Works and purchased a couple of their wrenches. They have worked great, no problems.

Buffalow Red · January 27, 2009, 12:24:43 PM

on another board of a guy that said he took a good 1/4" deep well socket and used a Dremel to cut the end of it to make his own custom nipple wrench

i have done this & the craftsman socket was the only wrench that worked. i broke 5 wrenches from 5 different venders

Scorpion · January 30, 2009, 09:03:10 AM

Pards,

I used the 1/4" deep socket idea mentioned by Logan Hawke and Buffalow Red. It works great. Thanks for the tip.

S

Prairie Dawg · January 30, 2009, 07:46:28 PM

OK, I'll be the one to ask the stupid question..........
Get a 1/4" deep socket.
How do I cut it to make a nipple wrench?
Do I just slice a section out of the middle?
I assume it should be a snug fit?
I'm having trouble visualizing this.
Thanks
--Dawg

Buffalow Red · February 03, 2009, 07:56:27 AM

i used a tool caled a cutoff grinder to cut slot then hand filed it to fit the secret is use a quality scoket like craftsman for the good steel

Scorpion · February 03, 2009, 09:51:49 AM

I used a Dremel tool. Worked great.

S

Deadguy · February 03, 2009, 12:29:42 PM

I have used the Dixie wrenches to great success for the most part. They have broken free even the most stubborn factory-seized Pietta nipples. Well, except for one. I have a Pietta LeMat that the goons at Pietta seized all the nipples on at the factory (as is commonplace on their guns) and the Dixie wrenches freed all the nipples except for one. That nipple has busted two Dixie wrenches (so far) even after being soaked in penetrating oil for a couple weeks. That lil bugger won't budge for anything!

Leo Tanner · February 03, 2009, 02:12:25 PM

Had a chamber in my 51 that wouldn't fire. Figuered I'd pull the nipple ta dump the powder and drive the ball out. First twist with a Traditions wrench destroyed it. been on the look out for a good one ever since, I'll try the socket/dremmel solution. I did get that ball out, but it was unnerving knowing the chamber was loaded.

JP Anderson · February 03, 2009, 05:35:09 PM

Thanks for the 1/4 drive socket trick. I used an old 5mm socket from a cheap set though I had a Craftsman I could have used. Hated to cut up a nice tool. Some of the cheap sets have good steel some don't. I have a drawer full of all brands that my dad's taken out of junk cars over the years. You can tell how good the steel is by how it files. If it takes a lot of work to cut with a good file it's good steel. Lower hardness steel the file will cut with gusto after you get past the hard chrome. Other clue to cheap steel or poor heat treating is when it breaks first time it's put to work.

Make sure the socket is deep enough or the nipple will bottom out. I rejected several brands, including a Craftsman, before I found one that would work. Any brand of deep socket would have worked.

I made the initial slot with my Dremel with an abrasive cut off wheel and filed it to fit the nipples. I also squared up the end to get a very snug fit not only in the slot but along the face of the socket. Mine also needed to be slimed down up on the drive end to clear the cylinder ratchet (Pietta 1860 Army). I spun it in hand on the grinder for that job. I ended up using my 1/4 ratchet to break 2 stubborn nipples loose. The rest came loose with a screwdriver handle. I think I'll take a surplus extension and mount it in a piece of hardwood for a permanent handle.

Good tip and well timed. I'd put off buying a wrench because I wasn't sure the ones in the store would fit or I would get a cheap one. Problem solved in 15 minutes at the bench. I suspected one nipple was jimmied at the factory and it had been.

John

Mulee Pete · February 22, 2009, 06:31:22 PM

Popped down to the local pawn shop and picked up a couple of 5mm and one 3/32 in 1/4" drive. Used the dremel cutting wheel and mag glasses (getting old

) and cut out three of the niftyest nipple twisters I've ever used. Thanks for sugesting the socket. Not only that, I rather make my own if possible.

MuleePete

Leo Tanner · February 22, 2009, 06:44:19 PM

The guy at the gun shop told me he would drill the nips out an retap them. No thank you, the socket worked well. I found an old nonpolised/nonplated one with a tee handle that doesn't look too out of place with my gear. Garage sale find and well worth the dollar I paid fer it.

Raider2000 · February 22, 2009, 07:22:22 PM

I've done the 1/4" deep Craftsman socket a few years ago & has worked for me a many a times when other wrenches failed, a Craftsman socket may be a tad expensive but still cheap compared to the stuff I've got in my box at work "Auto Tech/Mech by Trade" so I didn't sweat it but so much.

BTW a dremel cutting tool does a real nice job in making one.

Leo Tanner · February 22, 2009, 07:26:03 PM

I'd be lost without ma dremmel. Not very PC, but they do the job.

Major 2 · February 23, 2009, 05:22:31 PM

IT is about here a photo of the modifed Craftmans socket might be very helpful to those not picturing the project...

Leo Tanner · February 23, 2009, 05:26:11 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on February 23, 2009, 05:22:31 PM
IT is about here a photo of the modifed Craftmans socket might be very helpful to those not picturing the project...

I would, but the camera went south on me this weekend. Mebbe someone else?

Mulee Pete · February 23, 2009, 07:18:41 PM

This is the 5mm, but a 3/16 works just as well.

MuleePete