Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.

**Frank S** · Dec 22, 2021, 10:47 PM

I have a project that I started today requiring the use of several of my 1 1/4" pipes First I sorted through to separate the sch 80 from the sch 40. I want to keep my sch 80 pipes for my air system not that sch 40 isn't more than sufficient. For the project I don't need the extra weight of the thicker pipe.
All of these pipes are between 12 and 16 feet long and most have a W300 T on at least 1 end Thes fittings are about 30 bucks each at the oilfield supply store so saving them only makes sense I need to cut off the treads from the pipes so if I wasn't interested in salvaging thed fittings I would have simply cut them off. I tried unscrewing a couple and it took all my pipe vice and a 36" pipe wrench could handle plus the teeth damaged the fitting horribly.
I did what I normally do in these instances, I grabbed my torch and made a small cut inside the pipe through the fitting then I could break them loose with an `8" pipe wrench and screw them off by hand

Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.-img_20211222_180036fd.jpg

Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.-img_20211222_180152fd.jpg

Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.-img_20211222_180053fd.jpg

a quick touch up with a grinder and the pipe will be ready for welding

Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.-img_20211222_180318fd.jpg

**Toolmaker51** · Dec 23, 2021, 08:58 PM

Sure does. Even here in CA! Heat breaks at least some of the rust bond, slot allows contraction smaller than original diameter. Rust is said to be 7x volume of material it consumes.

**Frank S** · Dec 23, 2021, 09:12 PM

I removed a couple dozen of those fittings between yesterday and today. not 1 time did I cut into the threads so none of the fittings became damaged.
With the 1 1/4x1x11/4 w300 tees going for around $30,00 apiece now, not only did I save myself a lot of time and energy I saved a huge amount of money towards the completion of my air system.

**mwmkravchenko** · Dec 25, 2021, 01:49 PM

So let me get a handle on this idea. Heat I know and have used since I was 10 with my Dad. The hole as Toolmaker51 says allows for contraction. THe thread is tapered on pipes. So I am asking this. Two closely spaced holes and heat. Same effect? I have a torch I'm just thinking about when I am not near a torch. I just changed out my heat oil tank and wrestled some fittings with 5 feet of pipe on a 36 inch wrench. And I nearly lifted myself on the end of the pipe and I weigh 240lbs. Getting harder to do that by the way!

**Frank S** · Dec 25, 2021, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by mwmkravchenko

So let me get a handle on this idea. Heat I know and have used since I was 10 with my Dad. The hole as Toolmaker51 says allows for contraction. THe thread is tapered on pipes. So I am asking this. Two closely spaced holes and heat. Same effect? I have a torch I'm just thinking about when I am not near a torch. I just changed out my heat oil tank and wrestled some fittings with 5 feet of pipe on a 36 inch wrench. And I nearly lifted myself on the end of the pipe and I weigh 240lbs. Getting harder to do that by the way!

The hole you saw in the pipe was where I blew through the pipe from inside of the fitting.
As you stated NPT threads are tapered I only needed to slice away some of the meat of the pipe while not cutting deep enough to get into the treads. With a good clean (sharp as I call it), tip, I can do surgery on steel as well as a heart surgeon can on a person's body, there is only enough heat applied to the end of the pipe to make the cut and very little laten heat afterwards most of the fittings once loosened could be removed with may bare hands only warm to the touch