Nipple wrench thingy

[Eutycus]

Several times in the past homemade nipple wrenches were discussed on this forum. Particularly the ones made out of 1/4 sockets. Great idea and they do work. I got a question (or two) involving them. What you y'all use for the "handle"? Almost anything from a screwdriver to a ratchet would get the job done. What sort of "thingy" is carried in the bag to turn or tighten the nipple?

 

[Eutycus]

Oh, I have another question about these socket nipple wrenches. Do any of you bother to cold blue the socket as a rust preventative?

 

[Justin.44]

To blue the socket you would need to remove the chrome plating. I probably wouldn't bother with it, I don't think rust would be that much of a problem.

 

[Eutycus]

I see what you mean but the chrome was removed on the outside of this particular socket because I used a little bit bigger one than what was called for. I used a 7/32" or 6 (or 7) metric, I forget which,. Some oddball that I knew I'd probably never need. And filed it down so it would fit in the nipple recess or what ever you call those "notches" on the rear of the cylinder. In making the socket thinner, I removed the chrome.

 

[mooman76]

I have a nut driver handle and also what looks like a mini breaker bar to use with mine. I think I would just keep the socket well oiled.

 

[Eutycus]

I sometimes use a nut driver as well mainly so these old hands can't apply too much torque. I feel the nipples do not need to be tightened to the extent that a ratchet could do.Somehow that yellow plastic handle on the nutdriver just looks out of place.

 

[Grenadier1758]

In my kit I have the correct hardened and tempered nipple wrench for a revolver. I made a nipple wrench from a 5 mm nut driver in my kit. Sometimes I need the longer length of the nut driver to get past the hammer. I have also made several of the nipple wrenches to use in a hex drive screwdriver. The hex drive will also fit in my 1/4" hex drive impact tool. When I bring home a new revolver, I take it completely apart for inspection before taking it to the range. That's when I find I may have to use the nipple removing jig, a heavy bench vise with two chamber sized rods in the cylinder and the impact tool to remove the nipples.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I've only had to use the homemade socket on new to me guns where the nipples were neglected or assemble by the Italian gorilla. After I have removed them the first time I install them just snug and use anti seize to prevent hard to remove nipples.

 

[ppg1949]

I use a regular nipple wrench for most of the my long guns except an Italian Zouave. If I remember right, on the Zouave I use a very small 5mm open end wrench.

 

[Eutycus]

I agree on a new revolver but the nipples don't have to be "gorilla tight" on the cylinder after the originals have been removed for the first time, do they?

 

[ord sgt]

No. When re-installing the nipples, put a dab of anti seize on the threads and hand tighten. No need to prove your excessive strength.

 

[Eutycus]

Would just turning the socket with no "handle" at all be suffucient toque?

 

[ord sgt]

The nipples just need to be snug tight. If you can maintain a good grip on the socket, then yes, it should get the nipples snug tight. This will allow the nipples to be removed without the use of profanity and getting your tongue in the proper place while reversing the threads.

 

[Eutycus]

Then that should do it for this thread , there will be another in the future about homemade nipple wrenches.Thanks to one and all for your replies.

 

[Mike 56]

I use Allen wrenches they work well with Craftsmen 1/4 sockets the square drive is smaller than other sockets most other brands the square drive too large. The long end is good extra tight nipples the short end toques nipples just right.

 

[goodshot]

An Enfield I recently purchased used a 1/4" square drive, I turned the 1/4" drive socket around and used a hex Allen wrench in the socket to remove it, clean it, and apply the anti seize.

 

[Pete G]

This will allow the nipples to be removed without the use of profanity and getting your tongue in the proper place while reversing the threads.

But what is the fun in that

 

[ord sgt]

But what is the fun in that

Merely a suggestion. Do whatever you want, in your own style. Just have fun and enjoy the sport.