Unscrewing Threads - What to Use?

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gmason86

Bronze Supporter
May 13, 2017
97
Ontario, Canada
So apparently my pool wants to be difficult in opening this year :)

For the pipe that connects the pump to the filter, I had a leak at both ends. I can unscrew at the pump end no problem. After a few attempts and with some lubricant, I was able to re-seat the O ring successfully and stop the leak. However, then I found the end that connects to the filter is leaking, so presumably a similar problem.

The difficulty is, I can't unscrew it at the filter end. It's too tight, and I can't think of any tool I have that would be big enough to grip. Any suggestions? And for future, is there a special tool worth having?

I've attached picture of both ends, but the most relevant one is the filter end as that's where I'm still having the issue and that's the bigger fitting.

Oh, and don't blame me for the excess glue in places lol. That was the people that installed it.

Thanks,
 

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I labored with strap wrenches for 7 or so years before breaking down and finally buying a comically large set of 16 inch channel lock pliers for $20. (Still available at HD / Harbor Freight under $25). I have kicked myself, hard, everytime I've used them since for waiting so long.

I misplaced them and they magically reappeared in plain sight immediately upon buying a new pair. 🤦‍♂️ Shortly thereafter, I inherited a 3rd pair. All 3 mock me everytime I walk through the garage.
 
Newdude said:
I labored with strap wrenches for 7 or so years before breaking down and finally buying a comically large set of channel lock pliers for $20. (Still available at HD / Harbor Freight). I have kicked myself, hard, everytime I've used them since for waiting so long.
Click to expand...

Yeah true I do have a massive pipe-wrench but it was like $50.
 
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How large were the channel lock pliers? I did buy a set off Amazon last year hoping to have something for this, but sadly they were nowhere near big enough.

Do you have the link for what you got?

I'm in Canada which in all liklihood means it'll be much harder to get and way more expensive lol. But at least if I know what you bought, it helps me search for it here. Maybe next time we visit the US I should come with a shopping list of all the thing it's hard to get here (which will include refills for my test kit!), and buy them to take home.

We did have a strap wrench before but think it broke and is long gone. So I'd like to buy something good that will last and be easier to use.

Thanks for all the help.
 
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gmason86 said:
How large were the channel lock pliers? I did buy a set off Amazon last year hoping to have something for this, but sadly they were nowhere near big enough.

Do you have the link for what you got?

I'm in Canada which in all liklihood means it'll be much harder to get and way more expensive lol. But at least if I know what you bought, it helps me search for it here. Maybe next time we visit the US I should come with a shopping list of all the thing it's hard to get here (which will include refills for my test kit!), and buy them to take home.

We did have a strap wrench before but think it broke and is long gone. So I'd like to buy something good that will last and be easier to use.

Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

A leather belt works just as well btw. That is what I use to get oil filters off.
 
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Get the Harbor Freight channel locks or something similar (not the Amazon ones - the jaws are too small for that union). I have a pair of these that I use as a last resort on stuck fittings although I've never had to use them on a union.
 
sktn77a said:
Get the Harbor Freight channel locks or something similar (not the Amazon ones - the jaws are too small for that union). I have a pair of these that I use as a last resort on stuck fittings although I've never had to use them on a union.
Click to expand...
Might be a daft question, but what's the difference between them if they're both 16 inch?

Harbor Freight doesn't ship to Canada (there's a theme here lol), so I need to find something equivalent. I can find a number of 12 inch and 16 inch ones (with the latter being a lot more expensive), but if there's a difference between the types, maybe I need to narrow my search more.

Or try the belt trick suggested in the meantime :)

Thanks,

Graham.
 
gmason86 said:
Might be a daft question, but what's the difference between them if they're both 16 inch?

Harbor Freight doesn't ship to Canada (there's a theme here lol), so I need to find something equivalent. I can find a number of 12 inch and 16 inch ones (with the latter being a lot more expensive), but if there's a difference between the types, maybe I need to narrow my search more.

Or try the belt trick suggested in the meantime :)

Thanks,

Graham.
Click to expand...
Canadian Tire PVC wrench
 
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Also, is there a tool for tightening and loosening the eyeball return jets? I've seen some little blue cylinder shape type pool used by a company that closed my pool in the past, but no idea what it's called or where to get it lol.

Thanks!
 
I filed down a scrap piece of Aluminum 1/8 in flat bar stock to the correct width to fit in the returns.
Works well plus give something to grip that is not slick.
 
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