pt44

Hi

1st post - so be nice to me

I often have to remove old olives - and keep thinking to myself - there must be an easier way to do this? Is there any kind of special tool on the market or maybe a technique that I haven't thought of?

Currently I use the following method. Not very technical - but I'm no pro.

Bash the back of the nut against the olive - using an adjustable wrench around the pipe. If the olive is fairly new - this tends to remove them. However, if they are old and have been squeezed too hard - they don't budge. So my next step is usually to cut the pipe shorter and make good by adding a new section of pipe. This works, but often there is not much room for manoeuvre, so wondered is there is a better way?

Paul

ajs heating

buy an olive puller.
example.

http://www.monument-tools.com/images2006/prodlistimages/olive_puller_2036t.jpg

their is a few different types of puller.
or you can cut the olive with a junior hacksaw but be careful not to cut the pipe.

if the olive is squashing into the pipe the it may be best to fit a new section as a new olive won't seal if the pipe is to damaged.

uug197h

Monument 2030B Olive Removing Tool 15mm - 2030B - MON2030 - Monument Other Accessories
these are ok but you would need two 22mm and 15 mm

Plumbing Forum Moderator

Alanka

I have a dual-size olive puller (15/22 mm) that is useful, from Monument I believe. Not cheap, but much cheaper than buying one of each size. (Toolstation for £15.60 inc VAT)

An alternative (useful if you can't access the olive with the above puller) is an olive cutter. I've got two of those -- 15 and 22 mm -- also from Monument I think. (Toolstation). Not cheap at nearly £24 each!

But sometimes none of these tools work, and you end up hacking it off with a junior hacksaw anyway!

Cheers,

Big Al

pt44

Thanks for the excellent replies.

So I presume that the with the removal tools, you clamp them on and twist them back and forth - and they cut the olive somehow? Is that correct? Is it easy to use, without damaging the pipe?

I think I understand the hacksaw technique. I've watched my dad do it many times, but not tried it myself for fear of cutting the copper. Which with my clumsiness is very likely.

The puller tool looks neat - but presumably only works if they are not too bedded in. Plus, if I have to buy a removal tool, then that would cover both aspects? Or does the puller manage to remove a good percentage of them without the need to cut them?

Paul

ajs heating

http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/re...ller_2036t.jpg

i always use this one never failed me yet unless the olive you are removing has an old imperial nut behind it.
or mot valve nuts which are a different thread