The accompanying illustration represents an improvised pipe wrench, very simple, yet effective, one that will fit the largest or smallest pipe. It may be vised on brass or iron pipe, without marking or defacing the same.

A sling or a short piece of rope is passed around the pipe three or four times, as shown in the illustration, leaving a short loop in the middle. Into this loop is inserted a short piece of pipe or a stick far enough to pass the center of the pipe. The loose ends of the rope are held tight with one hand, while the short piece of pipe or stick is held in the other. Now the tighter the loose ends are pulled, the tighter the rope will hug the pipe, and it will be possible to exert quite as much pressure on the pipe with this arrangement as with an ordinary pipe wrench, although this will depend largely upon the strength of the rope. The rope may of course be doubled or trebled, according to the size of pipe to be screwed home. When working on polished brass or steel pipes, a little resin may be put on the rope, which will increase the friction, or one or more turns around the pipe will answer the same purpose.

Fig. 84 - Pipe wrench which will not mar the pipe.

Fig. 85 - A lathe dog as a substitute for a pipe wrench.

Another improvised pipe wrench consists of an ordinary lathe dog secured to the pipe. The turning of the pipe may be done with a monkey wrench or a short piece of pipe or a stick inserted between the shank of the lathe dog and the pipe.

In close quarters, of course, the dog will have to be opened and turned on the pipe little by little.