Broke off male threads in female threaded pipe. Can't get out. Help please.

Question

In our pools auto water leveler, the male threads (plastic) broke off right at the wall inside the female threads (in wall) and I don't know how to extract it. I've tried the nipple extractors for sprinklers and that doesn't work, I've tried the metal "easy outs" and they just go in without breaking or forcing the plastic piece out. Should I try to torch the plastic and melt it? The female threads inside the wall are metal, maybe copper so I would have a bigger problem if I ruined those threads. Any advice is helpful, if it works, you'll be my hero!

Answer 1

Other than than cut and chisel method (which works) her's another way to do it:

Get a putty knife (or something similar, sometimes wide screwdrivers work) that's just wide enough to fit across the opening if the pipe wasn't broken off inside.  Heat the knife or the screwdriver up with a torch (hot enough to melt its way into the plastic).  Once it gets a way into the plastic, pool some cold water on it to re-harden the plastic around the knife or screwdriver, then you should be able to back it out easily.

I use this method (with a screwdriver) to remove the broken plastic s***w out of the top of the Hayward chlorinator all the time.

Answer 2

yeah, do what wicket says.  i do this quite often, and if you are careful, it will work very well!

Answer 3

Try a small drill and drill into the plastic threads, do this in places all the way around then you may be able to break the plastic out in pieces

Answer 4

this is what i would do . i would take a small hack saw (cheese saw ) type and cut a groove into the broken off threads  than about a half inch over, i would cut another groove , becareful not to cut into the female threads . than take a hammer and chisel and knock the small piece out , after you remove that small piece it should remove the stress from the threads and you should be able to remove it easily  

Answer 5

Drill out the plastic with a drill that is the minor thread diamenter. Then use a tap the same size as the female thread.