Broken Pipe Thread - Use a nipple extractor! 

works great on new pipe..... how about doing it on some old rusted pipe....

I have always found your videos to be very informative and detailed. I consider myself to be very handy when it comes to electric, carpentry and plumbing thanks to working with my dad. However, I have learned many useful tips by watching your videos which proves you can always learn something new every day. Thanks for the great content!

I'm a plumbing contractor I would love to see you do that on rusted pipe iron pipe I have never once had a nipple extractor actually work . Normally you have to use hack saw or hack saw blade to cut grooves on the inside of the broken pipe to the point you can bend it inward and remove the broken part .

Thanks bud. I was about to cut out some wall to get to the shower pipe 90 and then I watched this video. Saved me allot of hassle

I like your tips! In a previous video you showed how to remove it by cutting into it from the inside then hammering out the piece with a chisel. That kit looks expensive and this other way is cheaper. Also, if the pipe is rusted badly those easy-outs may not work. A jig saw blade can fit inside to cut into that embedded piece. I used your cutting technique on a badly rusted pipe and appreciate having learned it from you.

I watched your video and bought a 9.99 set at Harbor Freight Tools (5 pcs) and got a BRASS breakoff out of my kitchen faucet and saved myself between $200-$300! Plus...I have more confidence to tackle things I assume I am not skilled at. Thanks very much!

Thanks a ton Bob. You saved me the money it would cost to call a plumber. And saving money is big right now. Good work!

Thank you so much for this video. You saved me over $200 in pool maintenance costs. I had a brass fitted Hayward pressure valve snap off on my pool sand filter. I purchased a nipple extractor set for about $10 at Home Depot. After about 15 minutes of work I had removed the old brass fittings. The pressure valve only cost me about $5 at my local pool store. The minimum cost for a pool maintenance visit is about $80. Plus they would have charged me about $150 in parts. Thank you again.

Thanks! You should have seen the look on the kids face at Home Depot when I asked him where the nipple extractor’s were…lol😅 he said…um at the hospital, I guess. I said no, it said you had three in stock…he checked his gadget and said…isle 8 mam….😂

Just talking to my wife on how much i Love your videos. You REALLY know your shit there is nothing you cant fix keep up the great video's. 💖☺

Dude you literally just saved my ass. Thank you so much.

Thanks for this video! It was really helpful. I accidentally struck my backflow preventer and broke off the test cock. I used a bolt extractor I already had instead of a nipple extractor and it worked! I then put in a new test cock for $10 and it was fixed.

Just what I was looking for thanks. At this place and sprinkler thread broke off the lady was going to hire someone cost a bunch of money told her easy fix she than says want to try a potato I kept it business and straight faced

These videos have be so helpful for me living in a 100 year old house. I've been intrigued with plumbing issues and learning alot from these videos. I actually enjoy doing these repairs and alot of skills I learned working as an apprentice in an engine shop years ago transfer directly over, I just gotta research a bit and realize "Hey, I done this before!" I'm actually gonna apply for a paid plumbing apprenticeship with a local union in January, hopefully being 28 isn't too old for their tastes. Thanks alot for the informative videos!!

THANKS! I have a plastic shower thread that's stuck. It attaches the hand-held shower to the overhead shower... I will only need to use it one time. Do you have any other techniques other than purchasing this tool? Still, it's cheaper than replacing my entire shower set-up! Anyway, I'm so glad this video popped up in my search for solutions!! Thanks so much!!!

Sonia, they're called easy-out's a.k.a. nipple extractors. Readily available from a reliable plumbing supply house. Also available on Amazon.com, just use the search term nipple extractor. Hope that helps, HAPPY PLUMBING!

I am so glad I found this before I began the repair job on my freeze-proof outside faucet! I thought I was going to have to dig it up!

Hi Bob! I love that you are willing to share your expertise!!! Thank you! I am looking for a solution for a difficult removal of a hot water heater element. I was remembering that there are extractors for striped screws, and found your nipple extractor video. I do not seem to have enough strength to keep the element wrench on the 1/8" thick bolt. My feet are slipping out from under me, maybe some better shoes would help. I have tried a borrowed socket and long ratchet from an auto parts store only to discover the inside edge was beveled and it was not getting a good bite on the element. I bought one from Amazon, it looked like it was a 90 degree angle, but it too was beveled! The one I bought at Home Depot, did the trick the last time I pulled an element out at another location, so I know it is possible. The screwdriver I am attempting to use is flexing instead of breaking the seal. The HWH looks new with no signs of rust or wear of any kind. I have not completely rounded the corners, an I would prefer not to. If I damage it too much to be able to use a socket, I was hoping there would be a way to drill a hole in it and then use an extractor. I have not used a hammer, I know I need force. I'm thinking of buying 2 more HD element wrenches and gluing them to the elements so they will not slip off and further damage the elements. They would then be disposed of along with the used elements. You seem like you have the most expertise in plumbing on youtube. What do you think I should do? Thank you again for being such a great guy. I really appreciate you being generous with your time and expertice. I feel blessed by being able to learn from you. Candace

Oh! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about this. This is my problem atm. Been searching on how to do it, I've seen videos and thank goodness I found yours!

I'm going to give this a try. I really don't want to mess up the threads the brass fitting is stuck in. Brass temp sender is stuck in my intake manifold. This seems to be a much safer idea than my chisel it enough to break it out idea.

Would this work on PVC or plastic like for rv pipes, or would the extractor break them?

This was a huge help! I busted an air fitting and the extractor worked like a champ!

I actually had this problem with a faucet in my shower and used an allen wrench covered with a large rubber band (which worked like a charm), however, I'm curious to know if there's a way to reattach or mend the broken off thread back to the pipe itself (possibly with a soldering gun or plumbers tape?) without buying an entire new set up for my shower. Advice definitely needed!

I just used a several hex keys. stuck them into a hole with the broken pipe end, keeped adding more smaller hex keys till it is holding tight, then started slowly turning. it came out !

I have 1" pipes, would I need a set that goes up to 1" vs only 3/4"? Thank you!

How does it work on a heavy rusted old water bend fitting

This solution may really help with what I need done, just ordered the kit, thanks for the helpful tip man! 👍

I'm curious if professional plumbers ever use the trick that all automotive machinists know and use on a daily basis. I don't know how to link a video here but I made one titled "pipe thread plug removal made easy". It makes the job amazingly simple but works on pipe thread only, not straight thread. When I have a plug that has been been butchered previously and have to drill the center of it out, I use an easy out as this video shows but when you use the wax it comes out so much easier.

Thank you thank you. I have been searching for a video like this. Wish me luck as I'm not a handy person and I can't afford a plumber so I will try to do this myself.

Yup, I have those.

Master Bobs : I have a problem with my pipe and I tried many methods to get the broken thread out : but it looks like it is impossible because it is like the brass thread is welded with the rusted tube so I decided to use tap and die tools.. would you please tell me the size that i sould use to Rethread the inner thread 1/2 water pipe ... also tell me the size of the die tool when rethread the outer thread of 1/2 pipe

Good Morning from Cyprus, Bob! My husband and I will try this as soon as we buy this equipment later today ... How am I supposed to ask for it??? What is its name? and which kind of a shop should I go??? Thanks for your support!

I have a brass nipple that broken inside a brass 4way block.. how should I get that out?? Help

I've never seen brass get brittle and break I've only seen black pipe break on the heating and cooling risers and I have old old 1/2" pipes break on me all the time.. I get the broken piece out. I cut a saw zaw blade thin then make like 2-3 cuts inside the broken piece then chisel them inwards and it will come out with some skill and patience.

My copper pipe broke like this on my outside spigot...I cant get it out its so soft an extractor just chews it up.

Bob you promised a video for large broken nipple, the one I might have problem is 1-1/2" galvanized pipe, well I am still waiting, thanks for all your videos, very informative.

I am a Steamfitter with 20 plus years of experience. To get out broken nipples no matter the size is use a round nose chisel, also know as a cape chisel, the end of the chisel is tapered and you place the tip between the nipple and fitting, then strike it with a hammer and the taper will draw the the chisel away from the threads and start caving in the broken or rusted nipple and sson you can turn it out with pliers. These chisels come in various sizes...a good tool for your tool box. also dont forget bees wax...

This works fine on reasonable new installation, but what about 30 plus year old galvanized half inch nipple that is well corroded in place. I managed to get one nipple out but the other crushed, the pipe was behind a Sheetrock wall over a wash tub, I tried the only easyout I had on hand, no work, finally had to open the wall to get enough pipe to grab pounded my easyout in the damaged pipe an used a pipe wrench to finally extract the broken nipple, the easyout served to prevent more crushing not extracting. I live in the boonies and often have to use Rube Goldberg solutions.

Tq so much for posting this video. I can now repair my own sink tap . May God bless u for sharing this ❤️

Thanks I have several sockets with inside broken tap I will draw them out and reuse sockets

Thank you, this saved me around $300. Well done and informative

Thank you for the help.

I have a 1-1/4 inch steam pipe that broke off at the fitting in the wall at the ceiling. its barely accessible after removing a section of ceiling. what size extractor should i use if even available?? I have tried chiseling but it does not work . The piece of pipe in the fitting is solid.

I got worse problem than that. The old pipe is thoroughly rusted so that a new pipe has nothing to hold on to the elbow pipe embedded within the wall. I had to chisel and make a crater so i can reach the elbow pipe. I mixed some epoxy resin and, using my "pinky finger" I applied a little on the insides of the elbow pipe. Just a little so there won't be any blockage to the water flow. I put little epoxy there so there would be something to pull / hold on the rest of the epoxy and the pipe nipple. Then Inserted a pipe nipple, jamming / thrusting it as close it can get to the elbow pipe. Then, applied a little epoxy around the pipe and around the crater. I then need some support so the pipe won't come out of the crater. I held it there for at least ten minutes without moving my fingers. Watched it for five minutes, seeing it not moving, I left it for several hours. Once the epoxy hardened, applied more epoxy around the pipe and the crater. Again when thoroughly hardened... connected it then to the sink's faucet, then turned on the water supply. ===================== The problem is... the pipes are within the cement wall of the apartment building... and I am in a difficult DIY situation who doesn't want other people going in-out of my apartment. Since the pipes are within the wall, I have no expertise of removing and replacing the elbow pipe on my own. It got me two days to figure it out, a day to implement it, and another day of waiting for the epoxy resin to thoroughly harden so I can use it. Good thing that I had back-up bathrooms that I could use while mine is unusable at the time. It works perfectly now

Thx for the video. I've yet to have a honest plumber come to my house and not try to sell me on hundreds of dollars of work when things like an easy out or a properly sized washer would do the trick. Thanks!

Will this work with broken PVC pipe?

thank you your advice helped in my situation it was for automotive purpose was trying to remove heater hose fitting in a intake manifold on a gm truck that broke off the same way

If the pipe is plastic, the claw of the hammer works too. Just put the claw inside then start rotating.

What if 1/4”ID pipe snapped due to rusted on a steam radiators And what if you don’t have extractors like you. Can you use anything like a flat screwdriver & can I used penetrating oil on it. It’s also in a tight area. So I need to use stubby tools.?! Anyone have any thoughts. Thx

is there a DIY method?

Thank you sir. I have 50 year old piping with galvanised steel. While taking out old tap, it broke the nipple threads and when I forced out nipple from coupling, the nipple broke off with all the threads inside. Can nipple extractors help.

I want purches this tools.India available.sir tools name

What do you do when you have a piece of galvanized pipe electrolyticly frozen in a brass valve or tee?

Wow , Thankyou so much for the idea, I had the same problem, improvised it with a metal file and a wrench , did the trick.

Thank you so much for this information. I thought something devastating had happened. It is such a relief to know I can easily and inexpensively fix this myself. Thank you a million times! 😀

I have a 1 1/4" galvanized pipe that broke off with three threads in the cast iron pipe still. I can see the ring of threads but I can't get them to turn or come out. any idea how to remove them so I can switch to pvc? do they make extractors that large?

Brass too soft and crumbly. Extractor not working for me. I'm gonna have to drill bit hack it out.

I have the kind that the same problem but my is all rust so. I don't know how take it out

Which instrument are needed to do this..pls tell it is urgent Pls

Hi! What size pipe extractor would I need to get to take out the pipe that broke while removing my shower spout?

Tried to take out 2 inch galvanized nipple in a brass and copper threaded fitting into a laundry room. BUT ELECTROLISIS USING GALVAENIZED NIPPLE ON THE BRASS COPPER PIPE FITTING WELDED IT STUCK WONT COME OT WIYH NIPPLE EXTRACTOR. ITS 49 YEARS OLD. ANYBADVICE……LOKS LIKE IM GONNA MOVE WASHER DRYER AND COUNTER TOP OPEN UP THE SHEET ROCK AND GUT OUT AND REPLACE THE TWO FITTINGS..

Thanx..

Super helpful, thank you

Very useful tip this..

This does not take into account a rusted and seized piece of pipe O-cal. This looks like a freshly installed pipe that you broke.try this on something that has been sitting for years...

All the nipple extractor did for me was grind away some at the broken off piece of pipe. Now its bottomed out to the point where its just spinning but the threads still aren't exposed yet so it didn't eat the broken part off completely. Now what do I do?

What if that pipe is 2" and broke of flush at a cast iron sewer stack?

Thank you sir! This worked for me. Thank you very much!

Mine doesn't come out I think it's too tight or its rusted over years. What can I do?

Thank you Bob. I really appreciate this!

And using these extractors look nice and easy on brand new pipe try that shit in real life on 50+ year old pipe in tight spaces where they break u can exactly bang on old rotten pipes without causing more breaking. Best is to cut it inside the pipe then chisel the pieces inward

Hi Bob! What size of extractor do I need for broken pipe size 1/2 - 3/4 inch sizes?

This is very helpful. Thank u for sharing.

what he`s done is the easy way on an easy job, what if it broke coz its corroded and its way in there no piece of it is protruding outside? and this is the first time i`m seeing these so called nipple extractor .

Thanks for posting this! This is exactly what I needed!

Thank you! You're life saver

Thank you sir, thats just what i wanted to know.

Came here because had same problem I used a steel bolt that could therd into the fitting screwed in in the used some tape

will this work for a shark bite that i put my shower head fitting so i could test after plumbing was done? I forgot to remove it before plumbing. now it is stuck and flush with the tile.. Same idea which you just showed in this video.

Thanks Bob! Great videos!

My opinion is that, great tip.

do they make a 1-2inch nipple extractor?

have the same problem but with plastic. need help

Thanks, this is very useful

what about pvc pipes, does that work with them?

Thanks for a Tip it is very helpful

thanks

Thank you so much

thanks , you just save my day.

FYI, for any skeptics, this method is the truth. A file and any apparatus such as an adjustable wrench or pliers for some turning leverage on the file and it does the trick. WD40 also helps loosen things up.

Will this tool work on galvanized pipe?

Is it me or did that thread look way to clean to have been stuck, and if it came out that easy with the extractor why did the pipe break. Im just saying.

What is its name?

Hey Bob. Old vid I know but what if the broken pipe is not threaded? I have a piece of water pipe stuck in an intake manifold which was pressed in. Do you think the extractor will still work or do you have another method for non threaded pipes? Thanks

Buy the exact same one ☝️ u see here. Short and stuby is good , long and cheap will screw you over literally punture your pipes.

Very helpful , thank you so much!!!

thanku

This will work on PVCs?

طريقة رائعة لكن للاسف لايوجد في بلدي هكذا ادوات

That looks so easy. Isn’t it? BUT IN THE REAL WORLD WHEN YOU WORK IN A VERY SMALL AREA AND THERE IS NO ROOM FOR A SMALL PLAYER... YOU’ll SEE HOW PAIN I THE BUTT IT IS TO REMOVE A PIPE.