Removing pipe fittings, the easy way.

[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!

[Frank S]

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