Nipple Wrench

[greybeard]

I made a few of these a few years back. The end caps are .400 by 28 so I had to make the tap.
A  fun project that I

made a few of and gifted them to friends
.
                                                                                                                                              Moderators feel free to delete if not suited to this forum   Bob


upload and resize image site

[smokinbuck]

Nice job and very similar to a civil war nipple wrench that I have. Bought it at a flea market, the lady thought it was a gas valve wrench for a fire place.
Mark

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Really nice work Bob.  I've made several much less fancy wrenches, but I find that I cannot get the hardness/temper right so they don't bend or break in use on a fouled nipple.  the commercial wrenches with the sleeve over the notch (cast or forged?) seem to be much stronger.  Perhaps you could share the secret.

[greybeard]

Thanks Taylor. The main body is made from half inch drill rod hardened and tempered on the working end. As is the turn
screw. They were made for maintenance rather than for restoration work. Frozen nipples are a whole new ball game. Many years back I made one from a grade 12 half inch bolt hardened and tempered and it never failed me.
    Bob

[smylee grouch]

Nice work Greybeard, better looking and more durable I'm sure than some of the modern made ones.