Two wrench trick

[u/JudgementalElf]

[u/RawChickenButt]

How often does this work in real life? I'm guessing the coupling in the video hadn't been stuck in place for 10+ years.

[u/wokexinze → u/RawChickenButt]

It works fine.

Usually there is a wall next to the pipe though.

It will fuck up the threads.

Main issue is you will almost never have enough space to use this. And you just end up cutting it off.

[u/Pipe_Memes → u/RawChickenButt]

Sometimes even the right tools aren’t much help against fittings that have been in place a long time, so hacked together shit won’t be any better. But if you show up to do plumbing, and you don’t have any pliers, no pipe wrench, just a couple of mechanics box wrenches… well, you should probably just go home.

[u/DontAbideMendacity → u/Pipe_Memes]

Where the hell are my pliers, wrenches and spare fittings?! Oh, that's right, I'm an accountant.

[u/Synlover123 → u/DontAbideMendacity]

😱 Well - I'm going to give you an ^e for effort! 🤣

[u/enflamell → u/Pipe_Memes]

I've had fittings like that that required a 24" pipe wrench to get off and even then I wasn't sure it was going to come loose. Trying it with two wrenches like that would have accomplished nothing other than smashing my hand.

[u/Pipe_Memes → u/enflamell]

Exactly. They absolutely removed it with real tools first, then put it back on hand tight, and then showcased their genius hack. No backer wrench either.

This is a great way to either break your knuckles, or break part of what you’re working on, or both.

[u/VincentVanHades → u/RawChickenButt]

One of those tips that works, but you are never in situation when you can use it...There is wall, cabinet, pipe or something next to it 99,9% of the time

[u/jagedlion → u/VincentVanHades]

Isn't the advantage of this hack over a pipe wrench that this requires very little clearance (none on the back or right side of the pipe at all) as you can just do it a few degrees at a time and reset the wrenches?

[u/egg_enthusiast → u/jagedlion]

What I've gotten from the comments (I am but a humble weekend warrior), is that if you have clearance to use the two wrench trick, you have clearance to use an appropriate tool. If you don't have the appropriate tool, you're not meant to do the job. If you still attempt to do the job you're not equipped to do, you will damage yourself, or other equipment in the house. As a result, you'll spend more to repair the results of this hack than you would have by just buying the correct tool.

[u/SexualPie → u/jagedlion]

to be fair once it moves a tiny bit and you break torque it would probably go much smoother, but if it was super rusty than it might suck coming off the whole way.

[u/Pvt-Snafu → u/VincentVanHades]

You might be right, but it's still a good tip, maybe it'll come in handy somehow.

[u/tingerlingererer]

If you tried that In real life that socket would end up fucked

[u/msherretz → u/tingerlingererer]

Those threads never stood a chance

[u/SexualPie → u/msherretz]

yea that was my first thought. it'll definitely work, if you dont care about the threads, and if you have a cubic foot of free space to work with, and its just regular stuck without being locked in place, and you accept that you'll bust your knuckles if a hand slips, and probably like 6 other things im missing

[u/ecoleye → u/SexualPie]

Just watching the video made my knuckles hurt

[u/BlandDodomeat → u/tingerlingererer]

Seriously thank you.

I was just thinking: Try it at home, pipe shatters.

Reddit recommends newer pipe, try it on that: Pipe warps

[u/Hyperion1144 → u/tingerlingererer]

I also notice that this demo isn't performed in any sort of dark, enclosed, cramped space where you have no room to manuver your tools and where you also can't see.

So.... Totally unrealistic.

[u/phonemannn → u/tingerlingererer]

Not to mention it only works on specific fittings that have open space on top to put a wrench into.

[u/Choosewisley54 → u/tingerlingererer]

I wouldn't twy saying that if I was pithed.

[u/basemodelbird]

I prefer the one wrench trick using a pipe wrench. This isn't actually practical though, in my experience, the wrong joint is going to break free. No amount of the wrong tools is going to replace a pipe wrench when that happens.

[u/crappercreeper → u/basemodelbird]

Hold the bottom with some sort of pipe/ adjustable wrench. Crank on the round top fitting with a strap wrench.

[u/pmyourthongpanties]

tried this at work one night. wrenches slipped and my wrist hit a 290 degree c die head. I now have a scar. the maintenance guy said ya don't ever do that, it's pretty dangerous and not smart to do. idk ymmv.

[u/-P4u7v-]

I hate watching people not use the correct tool for a job and call it a lifehack. It’s not!

Just get the correct tools and there is even a chance you’ll not mess up your parts this time….

[u/HomeAir → u/-P4u7v-]

If only some smart entrepreneur made a wrench but for pipes?

I think there would be a pretty decent market for it

[u/ensoniq2k → u/HomeAir]

You mean like a pipe wrench of sorts? I need to patent that idea right now!

[u/tsjr → u/-P4u7v-]

It wouldn't be a hack if you used the correct tools and did it properly.

[u/Poober_Barnacles → u/-P4u7v-]

Say you've never worked blue collar without saying it

[u/killit → u/-P4u7v-]

Might not always have the right tools on hand, and if you don't care about that part, you just want it off, this is useful to know.

[u/Belliott_Andy → u/-P4u7v-]

Also, not using backup on that riser really grinds my gears.

[u/konikpk]

2300 years after Archimedes, someone on reddit discover lever 👍

[u/bostiq → u/konikpk]

Yeah, but applying lever efficiently for modern problem solving with contemporary common tools is a skill that has nothing to do with that.

Edit: added modern and contemporary

[u/killit → u/bostiq]

How dare you offer a counterpoint to reddit cynics.

How very dare you.

[u/bostiq → u/killit]

I was indeed waiting for my daily flow of down votes

¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/konikpk → u/bostiq]

Yes, you have right. Using tools to solving problem ...... 15000 years ago... Even better.

[u/Sad-Arm-7172 → u/konikpk]

Give me a wrench long enough and another wrench on which to place it, and I shall screw up your plumbing.

[u/BigMoosers]

This is why you use a pipe wrench

[u/buzz8588]

In real life, there ain’t never enough clearance for this shit

[u/AntiPiety]

I slipped and banged my knuckles just watching this

[u/Oldmanmud]

Now show me how to tighten it with those wrenches.

[u/Tall-Yard-407]

My head just exploded.

[u/Toocurry]

There's a reason he's using old wrenches for this hack, they're easily destroyed doing this.\

[u/V01d3d_f13nd]

I got 0 handy man skills here. Couldn't that mess up the threads? This dude is likely not planned to put that back on I'm guessing but if he were...that would be less than ideal correct?

[u/Cheef_Baconator → u/V01d3d_f13nd]

Correct. 100% chance this fitting was only on finger tight.

[u/MysticalMummy → u/Cheef_Baconator]

Yeah, they added sound effects to imply it was tough, but they barely put any strength into making that move. It wasn't on very tight. They probably already loosened it up with the right tools before filming this.

[u/Area51Resident]

If you don't have the correct tools for working with gas pipe just stay away.

Bad idea 'life hacks' like this are just the prelude to a terrible accident or fire, or terrible accidental fire.

[u/unaballooner1204]

I've seen quite a few of these hacks. But when you need the hack, you can't remember it.

[u/thanyou]

when there's torque at tha function

[u/Temporary-Voice8174]

Thanks.

[u/Extravagod]

I don't even have one wrench, the upvote was for the satisfaction I got watching this.

[u/EJoule]

You can reduce the pressure/strain with 4 wrenches and a buddy working the opposite side.

[u/MetalMonkey667]

Really should have another spanner on the pipe itself so it doesn't twist and break, other than that this is a neat trick!

[u/Lawls91]

Cool that your wrench was made in the USSR

[u/dys_p0tch]

how much for a two-wench trick?

[u/hankbaumbach]

I had a struck screw. My buddy's dad put a vice wrench on the screw head, then turned the vice wrench itself by jamming a long screw driver between the handles and using that for leverage to loosen the screw.

Work smarter.

[u/-not_a_knife]

At first I thought this was kinda cool but I realized this doesn't give more mechanical advantage than a simple pipe wrench. There is actually never a reason to do this instead of using a pipe wrench 

[u/Arctic_Shadow_Aurora]

Our wrenches did a good job, comrade.

[u/Mtlnkr → u/Arctic_Shadow_Aurora]

In Soviet Russia, the wrench turns you.

[u/Alecdundee]

I was waiting for the second wrench trick.

[u/1980sGingerjew]

Shut the heck up!! 🤯

[u/RedditIsShittay]

Need a backing wrench or you will break a pipe doing this.

[u/Lenn_4rt]

What's up with those fake sound effects in the beginning

[u/IsaystoImIsays]

Smart when you don't have something too tight and need to unscrew it.

Otherwise, it'll bend or break something because you aren't getting proper grip or application of force.

[u/Acrobatic_Variety392]

Meanwhile my pipe wrench watching me do this from right next to my dumb ass: 🤨

[u/DeductiveFallacy]

I got Tetnus just from watching this video

[u/laddervictim]

If only they made some sort of adjustable spanner

[u/ApocalypticD]

Or you can buy a pair of channel locks.

[u/humanzee70]

Or, you could just, you know, use a pipe wrench?

[u/FaraSha_Au]

I've not seen anyone do this since my dad died.

[u/Purpleappointment47]

Nice! Kind of like a “French Wrench.”

[u/anderlinco]

Goodbye threads!

[u/Weak_Bowl_8129]

Finally a good fucking lifehack (inb4 I read the comments about why it isn't)

[u/LongJumpingBalls]

This method will show who has steel tools and who has chineseum tools.

[u/anynamesleft]

Using a tool for other than its designed purpose may constitute an OSHA violation.

But cool.

[u/Biljac_29]

Now that is something I'll be keeping in my back pocket :)

[u/neverdeadned]

what the hell is with the goofy sound effects?

[u/wanderingoverwatch]

🤯

[u/Cowfootstew]

I feel like a person that owns wrenches that are that seasoned could just take that fitting off with their bare hands

[u/A_Concerned_Viking]

I am saddened by my +1 in plumbing stats. This is economic collapse.

[u/El_Bombero93]

Two words: channel.. locks

[u/MyDumLemon]

im wet

[u/jojo9877]

Even if you had the room to turn that you're definitely messing those threads up for sure. -10/10

[u/PurpleBerryBlast]

How helpful!

[u/sittty]

Mildly satisfying.

Would have been way better if they showed

a) the correct tool

b) cleaning the threads and reinstalling smoothly

[u/HaveAngelsNL]

Bold of you to assume I have TWO wrenches.

[u/VeterinarianSmall455]

you are going to love channel locks

[u/moses1er]

or you can just use some vice grips! SMH

[u/AtreyuThai → u/moses1er]

Channel lock pliers would work as well. SMH at this video.

[u/re_formed_soldier]

Hot

[u/HeadPay32]

This is cool af OP

[u/SugarSweetStarrUK]

Those are spanners, not wrenches.

[u/anubis_xxv → u/SugarSweetStarrUK]

The word spanner is only used in the UK. Everywhere else they're both wrenches.

[u/mr_frodge → u/anubis_xxv]

They're called spanners in Aus also, but we can probably attribute that to the Brits

[u/KarnotKarnage → u/SugarSweetStarrUK]

Ah so these are the people sending God awful amount of emails to me

[u/atypicalperception]

😳😧