Need a welding opinion-

[Yooper]

Just a reminder that a grinder is your best friend. If you go with the nut I drill out the inside to clean up the metal. I like the flat stock idea. A fillet weld is stronger than a plug weld

 

[Lil Foot]

Yeah, I had a 4pt socket, but 3/8 drive instead of 1/2, but it split. (that started the rounding off process)
I had a 1/2 drive 4pt, but at home 150mi away.
I already have a replacement plug with a hex, so next time I can use a six point socket.
If I ever get this one off, that is.

 

[D2Cat]

I'd use a bit of anti-seize on the new threads.

 

[William1]

Sort of after the fact but... I have to wonder why a drain plug was so over tightened to begin with. It only needs to be tight enough to not leak. Finger tight and a half a turn is usually plenty. If a plug leaks when snugged, try a new plug. If that does not stop the leak, used a tiny dab of sealant on the threads, being aware that the sealant often acts like a thread lubricant and that means to use less torque than with dry threads.

 

[Lil Foot]

I'd use a bit of anti-seize on the new threads.

Definitely!

 

[Lil Foot]

Sort of after the fact but... I have to wonder why a drain plug was so over tightened to begin with. It only needs to be tight enough to not leak. Finger tight and a half a turn is usually plenty. If a plug leaks when snugged, try a new plug. If that does not stop the leak, used a tiny dab of sealant on the threads, being aware that the sealant often acts like a thread lubricant and that means to use less torque than with dry threads.

When I was starting re-assembly after rebuilding this backhoe, my knot-head BIL was over and wanted to "help".
I looked around and decided putting in the drain plug seemed like something he couldn't screw up.
Boy, was I wrong.
Now I'm wracking my brain trying to remember what else he might have done. I don't think there was anything else, because the rest was bordering on actual work, and he's allergic to that.
I usually use a little dab of teflon-based pipe thread sealant for such things.
I think the problem here was a very clean steel plug and a very clean steel spigot, grossly over tightened.

 

[SidecarFlip]

When I was starting re-assembly after rebuilding this backhoe, my knot-head BIL was over and wanted to "help".
I looked around and decided putting in the drain plug seemed like something he couldn't screw up.
Boy, was I wrong.
Now I'm wracking my brain trying to remember what else he might have done. I don't think there was anything else, because the rest was bordering on actual work, and he's allergic to that.
I usually use a little dab of teflon-based pipe thread sealant for such things.
I think the problem here was a very clean steel plug and a very clean steel spigot, grossly over tightened.

Maybe Mr. Knothead put threadlocker on the threads????

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You needed the, "It WILL come off/apart pipe wrench"!

 

[dlsmith]

THAT"S why the proper socket( 4 sided) is necessary. The vicegrips only grip 2 opposite sides, socket fits all 4. BTDT... I now own 3 or 4 sizes of them 4 sided sockets. They're one of those tools you never think you need, 'only collect dust'.,naw I don't need them ...BUT.... all it takes is ONE PITA pipeplug and you'll be going to the store next time....
heck you've got to buy another plug so while you're in town..... buy the plug THEN goto store and get the proper socket...

What he said.
Use the right tool to begin with.
Makes life much simpler.

 

[Lil Foot]

Maybe Mr. Knothead put threadlocker on the threads????

Maybe, if he did it must have been red, blue would have come loose without all this hassle.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Hope ya got a spare plug when you get that one out or that'll be another trip... Good luck!

 

[Lil Foot]

Yeah, I've got two brass ones with the square head, and a brass one with a hex head.

 

[Lil Foot]

What he said.
Use the right tool to begin with.
Makes life much simpler.

Like I said earlier, I HAD the correct tool, a 4 point socket, but it split.

 

[Lil Foot]

UPDATE:
I got the plug off! Giant pita, will report in detail when I get home in couple days, where I can post pics.

 

[bearbait]

UPDATE:
I got the plug off! Giant pita, will report in detail when I get home in couple days, where I can post pics.

Awesome, congrats Bill.

 

[Ltk]

did you have to weld a nut onto it? thats usually my go-to

UPDATE:
I got the plug off! Giant pita, will report in detail when I get home in couple days, where I can post pics.

 

[Lil Foot]

did you have to weld a nut onto it? thats usually my go-to

Used Bearbait's idea and welded a strap on the stub. Pics and details in a couple days.

 

[skeets]

Ya know way back in the day in here, someone posted about heating the bolt up and then letting a candle wax melt in the exposed threads. He said the wax was drawn by the heat in to the threads and made bolt easyer to remove,, do it work I dunno

 

[Ltk]

Used Bearbait's idea and welded a strap on the stub. Pics and details in a couple days.

not a bad idea! i usually permanately weld a nut to those pipe plugs after first removal.. makes life much simpler

 

[Lil Foot]

OK- back home again, so here we go.
After heating it again and trying the candle wax method with no luck, I dove in with the welding method.

I took a 1/4" x 1 1/4" strap 30" long and ground off the galvanized finish.
Then I drilled a 5/8" hole that just fit over the stub, and heavily countersunk it.
Shielded the nearby hoses with aluminum.
It was tight getting the gun in there, but I piled up a bunch of material to make sure I got it plenty hot.