Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: Supercracker on November 08, 2011, 10:50:39 AM

Title: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Supercracker on November 08, 2011, 10:50:39 AM
I have just gotten a Belgian percussion shotgun and one of the nipples is stuck. I have used heat and penetrating oil every day for about 2 weeks now with no results.


As a last resort before drilling and tapping it out for a larger thread nipple I was planning on trying a broken bolt extractor down the nipple.

Has anyone tried this?
Any not readily obvious reasons not to?


I'm equipped and capable of drilling it out but I'd REALLY rather not have to drill it out if I don't have to.
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: ridjrunr on November 08, 2011, 11:32:25 AM
I've had great results in similar situations, using transmission fluid. Let that soak for 5-7 days and then try. The nipple came out of this gun, with no effort after soaking like this.Couldnt budge it before.
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Supercracker on November 08, 2011, 11:53:39 AM
I've had a penetrating oil on it inside and out for a couple of weeks with nothing. Every day I heat the nipple and let it cool, then heat the plug and give the nipple a try. Then put oil back on and in it.

Maybe I'll try the tranny oil for a few days as well. Certainly can't hurt.

Thanks
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: greyhunter on November 08, 2011, 04:42:59 PM
If you have to go the drill out route, try a left twist drill. You might luck out. I only drill enough out to expose the threads, then use a sharp pick to get under the leftover threads. That failing, I use the right sized tap and go after the threads. I've had the misfortune as a lifetime mechanic to face this problem many times, I wish you all the luck and skill you can muster!  :shake
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Hank in WV on November 08, 2011, 05:08:19 PM
Try tapping the back of your wrench with a hammer while turning the nipple. Often the shock will break threads free.
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on November 09, 2011, 03:53:09 PM
Greyhunters  method has worked pretty well for me when all the other mehhods have failed.  Good luck .
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Feltwad on November 10, 2011, 05:12:35 PM
Just persevere with the heat and direct it  on the breech plug around the nipple till you see old oil coming from the nipple thread . Apply some pressure with your nipple key and at the same time tap the plug arround the nipple with a plastic or rubber hammer it should then turn out. I have removed many hundreds using this method,the same applys when removing the breech plug.You say the gun is Belgian I have come across many Belguim guns with have the ribs brazed  .
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Supercracker on November 28, 2011, 11:48:10 AM
Quote from: "ridjrunr"
I've had great results in similar situations, using transmission fluid. Let that soak for 5-7 days and then try. The nipple came out of this gun, with no effort after soaking like this.Couldnt budge it before.



gallery/image.php?album_id=7&image_id=3938 (http://traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.org/forum/gallery/image.php?album_id=7&image_id=3938)


Came out like it was installed yesterday.

Thanks
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: ridjrunr on November 28, 2011, 12:55:28 PM
:toast
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Hank in WV on November 28, 2011, 05:08:32 PM
Have to keep that trick in mind.
Title: Re: Old Nipple Removal Question
Post by: Captchee on November 28, 2011, 10:03:53 PM
LOL .
 for another little tidbit . try ATF with detergants  IE the ATF for Ford tranys.
   for a rusty barrel.
  simply dump the atf out and clean with a patch . depending on how bad the rist , it may take a couple times  with scrubbing with a bronze brush between applications . ;)