Plumb or Die, you're a GENIUS!!!!
Yay!! I have been working on a 1/3" of broken off pipe threads for 2 months or so, now. Have purchased probably 5 different tools, and also tried to dissolve some of the mineral deposits by sticking the corner of a vinegar-soaked towel in the opening and leaving it there overnight several times. Internal wrenches just ground down and smoothed the surfaces so I couldn't get a grip on the inside of the pipe. So, I got a file that was triangular shaped around rather than round and started cutting a few grooves in the pipe to create something to grab. An "easy out" was too long---didn't have that much clearance behind the broken segment for it to grab. I tried an Reps pipe extractor and just couldn't get enough traction to turn it. Today, with your wonderful advice, I filed a parallel line 1/4" away from one of the grooves I had made earlier, hammered away with a small flathead screwdriver and finally got a small piece out, worked at it some more, until enough broke free that I could get under a segment of the broken out part with needlenose pliers, and simply unscrewed the rest as if it had never been stuck!!! Many, many thanks!! I see that I did grind down a little of the threads on the inside of the remaining pipe, but I bet that with a good bit of plumber's tape on the replacement pipe threads, it will be fine. I am very grateful for your wise advice, clearly born of a lot of experience.
Finally, I can install my rainwater shower head and enjoy a long awaited and much deserved luxury!
Thank you, thank you!
The hacksaw ways the way to go. Cut through the broken piece in two places, about a 1/4" apart. Don't cut 100% of the way through and screw up the internal threads. 99%'s good. Use a 1/4" wide flat crewdriver to pry out the little piece between the two cuts.
Once that piece is out, the remaining bit of broken pipe can be gently pried out. I've done this many times, works like a charm. One cut won't do, you have to do two to weaken the rest of the pipe so you can pry it towards the inside of the fitting, and out.
Good Luck!
Yay!! I have been working on a 1/3" of broken off pipe threads for 2 months or so, now. Have purchased probably 5 different tools, and also tried to dissolve some of the mineral deposits by sticking the corner of a vinegar-soaked towel in the opening and leaving it there overnight several times. Internal wrenches just ground down and smoothed the surfaces so I couldn't get a grip on the inside of the pipe. So, I got a file that was triangular shaped around rather than round and started cutting a few grooves in the pipe to create something to grab. An "easy out" was too long---didn't have that much clearance behind the broken segment for it to grab. I tried an Reps pipe extractor and just couldn't get enough traction to turn it. Today, with your wonderful advice, I filed a parallel line 1/4" away from one of the grooves I had made earlier, hammered away with a small flathead screwdriver and finally got a small piece out, worked at it some more, until enough broke free that I could get under a segment of the broken out part with needlenose pliers, and simply unscrewed the rest as if it had never been stuck!!! Many, many thanks!! I see that I did grind down a little of the threads on the inside of the remaining pipe, but I bet that with a good bit of plumber's tape on the replacement pipe threads, it will be fine. I am very grateful for your wise advice, clearly born of a lot of experience.
Finally, I can install my rainwater shower head and enjoy a long awaited and much deserved luxury!
Thank you, thank you!