Ted Cash Ratcheting Nipple Wrench

J

JACKlangrishe

New member
Hey Everyone!!

I'm preparing for the arrival of my Pietta 1860 Army and want to make sure I get the right nipple wrench so I can strip the gun once I get it.

I want to eventually do the dremeled socket modification for the perfect DIY wrench, but that might be a touch above my skill level just yet, so I'm thinking I'm probably better off getting a solid wrench for the time being.

After a lot of reading I decided to go with the Ted Cash Ratcheting Wrench.
http://www.tdcmfgstore.com/agora.cgi?cart_id=84484072.7126&p_id=E-RATCHET&xm=on&ppinc=search2

They have a few configurations, and I selected "Ratcheting Nipple Wrench - Full wrench w/Pistol head RNW-P" which changed to a nondescript inventory number on the paypal receipt.

Just want to make sure I bought the correct wrench.
Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks as always!
 
Not sure on that one. Looking at the youtube video - the pistol one looks like it should work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-oR7B5GjY

Looking at the reviews on Cabela's I'd say you want the #10 pistol wrench.


I have this Pietta Nipple Wrench that came with a set of 6 nipples that I bought from Cabela's.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo...ssories/_/N-1100207/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104218380

The tool works perfectly and the extra Nipples came in handy. I have 2 1860 Pietta's, 1 bought from Dixie Gun Works and 1 bought used from the Gunbroker. The Gunbroker one was missing it's original BP cylinder but came with a R&D 45 Colt Conversion Cylinder.

I ordered a replacement Cylinder from Cabela's. That arrived with 1 rusty nipple which I replaced with the ones that came with the wrench.

Here's some other accessories I have:
Found this CVA / Traditions Powder Flask with 30 grain spout at a local gun shop:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/711044/cva-range-model-flask-with-30-grain-spout-brass-5-oz

Walmart has this CVA/Traditions powder measure:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...ure-with-swivel-funnel-10-to-120-grains-brass

Over the last year I bought the rest of these items from Cabela's:
1k of Remington #10 percussion caps.
Ted Cash Snail Pistol Capper.
Ted Cash Inline Capper.
Pair of Triple K Hickok Holsters & matching CS Belt.

Member by the name of DD4lifeusmc set me up with 1000 cast .454 dia ball and 1000 wads.

Lastly I bought this set of Grace Gunsmithing Screw Drivers from Cabela's.
3 of the screw drivers fit Pietta's.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo...mithing/_/N-1102327/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480
 
I believe that you do have the correct #10 size nipple wrench for pistol. I opted for the same wrench/nipples combo as drobs, but decided that I wanted the clear plastic powder measure from Cabelas, so I could see the powder.

If you search for wad information, and decide on a lube, powder/substitute and ball size, you will be ready to go when you get your pistol. Don't forget to look at the sticky posts. Good info there.
 
Have used a number of nipple wrenches over the years, some too hard and break, some too soft and distort. Think Ted Cash has it correct.
Pistol sizes don't vary much, Walker, all of the rest, but pocket pistols have less clearance and the out side of the wrench needs to be a little smaller.
 
Great Info!! Also thanks for the inventory checklist drobs I'll keep referencing that as I get closer to taking it to the range.

Confirmed with the company that I did select the correct wrench for revolvers. They indicated it would fit the large majority of revolvers, and I'm assuming the real small pocket revolvers are the one's that don't fit.

Also, I have this Magna-Tip screwdriver set with 1911 bits:
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...bit-sets/1911-screwdriver-sets-prod25472.aspx

I'd love to start saving some cash and not have to get a new set.
Think these bits would fit the Pietta 1860 Army?

If not, do any of these sizes look like they'd fit the bill?
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ts/magna-tip-bits/magna-tip-bits-prod501.aspx

I know it's a no-no to start scrimping on tools, but I need to stretch my dollars before the next wave of purchases.
 
Probably ok with that screw driver set but might get the Colt SAA set just in case.

I've been cleaning my BP guns with watered down bottle of Windex followed by Rem Oil and a little Hoppe's #9.

I dab a bit of Tompson Center Bore Butter on the nipples before I screw them back in and on the arbor.

Link goes to Walmart:
http://tinyurl.com/z2rqwq4

Here's some reading for you on Tuning Pietta Open Top guns:
http://www.theopenrange.net/articles/Tuning_the_Pietta_Part_One.pdf
http://www.theopenrange.net/articles/Tuning_the_Pietta_Part_Two.pdf

And a couple videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXhfynWvcG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kchzuK0L7_Y
 
It's like you're reading my mind drobs!.. either that, or my browser history..

Those two pdfs and videos from duelist1954 are going to comprise my "trouble spots checklist" that I want to post hi-res photos of before attempting to address them. I know it's not the most delicate and complicated task to tune these revolvers, but I've never filed metal to a precision fit before so I want to 'measure twice and cut once' so to speak.

I also want to include duelist1954's "cure for cap sucking" mod which produces some really impressive results - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gkJaIQPZo

Also, capnball's video of him fanning a 51 Navy is seriously impressive, although his mod seems to be more suited for a gunsmith - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwrM7TE9eJI&t=2m30s


But before I get into any of that, I want totally strip it down and clean out the sludge. I'll pick up the 2oz bottle of JB Bore Compound, although I'm sure that's overkill for just one revolver.

Other than that, I have some pretty rudimentary questions I'll post in a separate thread with appropriate title. I have some old habits from the 1911, like never easing the hammer down with a trigger squeeze, that I'm noticing doesn't apply to c&b revolvers. Just a few remaining concepts that I'm not 100% on.

As always, thanks for the advice!!
 
Congratulations on getting your first black powder revolver!

You should contact member 45 Dragoon, he's a single action revolver gunsmith, he installs the cap post that Cap and Ball does, and tunes the rest of the gun as well.

I have the Ted Cash Wrench for my revolvers and it works great, if the nipples are stubborn the first time you go to remove them, put the cylinder in a vise that is properly padded so the cylinder doesn't get scuffed, and the nipples should come out for you when you go to remove them.
 
vendors have to be very careful using paypal, or the square, or intuit.
they all forbid sales of weapons, items design to harm people.
steak knives are even questionable.
Yes the TDC ratcheting wrench will work on most guns.
A few here and there it will be a tight fit getting into the nipple recess.

personally never needed the fancy exotic things so many seem to be attracted to these days.
Been using a plain old regular nipple wrench for years.
many people break their nipple wrenches because they don't know how to remove the nipple first time from the factory, and they over tighten them.

first time, wrap the cylinder in a protective cloth / leather, place in vice.
using pliers or vice grips grab the shank of the wrench twist it as you rap the end with a mallet. this will "break" the "seat" of the factory torque.

Now antiseize is not exactly historically correct, but use some anyway.
a very fine coating on the threads ( both the nipple and the cylinder) will prevent the nipples from seizing in the future.
And do NOT over tighten. They just need to be snug. Just enough they don't loosen under firing.

More period correct? soften some beeswax, and work into threads.
this will also stop fouling from seizing the nipples as it can't get down into the threads to begin with.

Me? I remove nipples maybe once a year, no matter how many rounds I have fired. Haven't had a problem with stuck nipples in over 30 years.
 
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