Tight pipe plug

[peterj]

Trying to change oil in my compressor and I can't break loose the pipe plug. It
is a standard square top plug and need to know if anybody has a trick besides an open end wrench with a length of three foot pipe. I am starting to round this plug over and really don't want to have drill and tap it out. I can't get a pipe wrench on it because of location. The fill plug is the same size and came off without a fight.
Thanks for any ideas,
Pete

 

[Thedroid]

KNIPEX Cobra's or Plier wrenches make short work out of this kind of thing

 

[pjcforpres2020]

1/2 inch drive square socket and a breaker bar? Make sure it isn't cross threaded after you get it off.

 

[Uncle Buck]

You should be using an 8pt socket with either a long ratchet, or a ratchet adapter and a long breaker bar.No offense, but you are using the wrong tools for this job.

 

[plinker]

8pt. sockets are ideal for this kind of problem. Not much works better, IMO.

 

[fordracing200]

use a 8 pt or sqaure plug 4 pt socket. If you have another air source near by, try an impact gun on it.

 

[peterj]

No offense taken Buck, All I have are 6 & 12 point sockets I will try local store tomorrow.

 

[peterj]

I have never used a square socket but I quess I need one know. So, off to the hardware store tomorow.
Thanks

 

[Uncle Buck]

Some would tell you to use a 12 pt for this, but personally, I would go for an 8pt myself. All square male plugs bow to the almighty 8pt, no questions asked!

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Might try some penetrating oil and let it soak over night, blow dryer or heat gun on plug first and than penetrating oil, as hot goes to cold the oil willbe pulled back into the threads overnight, try with your new "8" pointer the next day! Good luck-give us a heads up when you get the oil changed.

 

[peterj]

Thanks a lot guys. Hate to sound like a girl here but I had the propane torch in my hand but the thought of burning the paint off this brand new Quincy was too much for me. I sprayed it with PB Blaster but I doubt it will get soak through the factory paint. This is the first oil change for this over priced monster. I will be in the hunt for 8pt or 4pt sockets tomorrow.
Thanks again guys,
Pete

 

[nate379]

Throw a little heat from the oxy/acetylene on it and it aught to come off. Has worked for me everytime. Just be careful not to get it too hot to start cooking the oil though!

 

[nate379]

Just read this... well... might end up either you change the oil or have pretty paint. Shouldn't cook the paint too bad if you don't go overboard. I have done it to plugs on diff covers and it never did anything to the paint.

Thanks a lot guys. Hate to sound like a girl here but I had the propane torch in my hand but the thought of burning the paint off this brand new Quincy was too much for me. I sprayed it with PB Blaster but I doubt it will get soak through the factory paint. This is the first oil change for this over priced monster. I will be in the hunt for 8pt or 4pt sockets tomorrow.
Thanks again guys,
Pete

 

[jdcompman]

Sears has the 8pt sockets in most of their stores now. I would start your hung there.

 

[rhandwor]

http://www.blacksmithbolt.com/gpage19.html

 

[Bolster]

Is it possible to put wet rags around the base of the plug, so you burn as little paint as possible if you apply a flame?

Also, is the plug PAINTED into place? From your description it sounded like it.

 

[e-tek]

Good info - thanks!!

 

[BB26]

As others have said...1/2'' drive 8 pt socket with a breaker bar.

 

[nate379]

If you going to use a 8pt socket, just stick a rattle gun on it. I wouldn't worry too much about messing up the plug, they are like $0.45 at the hardware store.

 

[Dr. Bolt]

If all else fails, weld a flat washer to the plug. Then weld a nut to the flat washer. Before anything has cooled remove the plug.

 

[Bustawrench]

8 point socket on an impact driver, smack it once or twice with a BFH and she'll pop right out. If that don't work, it's torch time.

 

[Thedroid]

If he can't get a pipe wrench on it, then I doubt an impact will fit.

 

[peterj]

Hey guys,
After a sixty-five mile round trip to Sears, I found Sears out of stock on 8-point sockets. So I ordered one off the net and got it today. I will try tomorrow night and let you know how it goes. How after tinkering on cars since I was a kid I didn't know about 4 & 8 point sockets and wrenches I can't tell you.
Thanks

 

[peterj]

Thanks to all I got home put the 8-pt (9/16) socket on and it fit like a glove. I used a two foot breaker bar and it was a piece of cake. Thanks for all the tips and the class on 4 & 8 point tools. Next time I or my friends or neighbors come across a square bolt we will be prepared.
Thanks

 

[pjcforpres2020]

Good to hear! And yeah, square plugs are not very common in most cases... usually you see them on pressurized systems(I guess as a deterant to keep DIY from messing with them) and they are showing up a lot on euro oil plugs these days. Also, a lot of the time I see them is as a set screw on different things, like my drum pedals, and of course the lugs are, also my paintball gun has them on a couple different parts of it.

 

[Dr. Bolt]

Thanks to all I got home put the 8-pt (9/16) socket on and it fit like a glove. I used a two foot breaker bar and it was a piece of cake. Thanks for all the tips and the class on 4 & 8 point tools. Next time I or my friends or neighbors come across a square bolt we will be prepared.
Thanks

Those are also good for taps, both bolt and pipe threads.

 

[pjcforpres2020]

Those are also good for taps, both bolt and pipe threads.

Ah, the wheels start turning in the head, mush gerbal! Mush!

Square socket= Pipe plug socket