Hi,
I have an old Rainbird Sprinkler head on a galvanized pipe. Both the
are 50 years old. Cannot determine model number. Sprinkler still works
but may have weak springs.

My question is about removing the sprinkler head from the galvanized
pipe. Does the rainbird unscrew counter clockwise or clockwise?
I've been spraying chainsaw penetrating oil in the copper galvanized
joint for days and it won't loosen.

What else can I do to remove that sprinkler without damaging the
rainbird or pipe and threads? Is there a better penetrating product?

Thanks, Dave_s

Dave-s wrote:
Hi,
I have an old Rainbird Sprinkler head on a galvanized pipe. Both the
are 50 years old. Cannot determine model number. Sprinkler still works
but may have weak springs.

My question is about removing the sprinkler head from the galvanized
pipe. Does the rainbird unscrew counter clockwise or clockwise?
I've been spraying chainsaw penetrating oil in the copper galvanized
joint for days and it won't loosen.

What else can I do to remove that sprinkler without damaging the
rainbird or pipe and threads? Is there a better penetrating product?

Just standard pipe thread -- right hand -- "righty tighty, ..."

Heat on the outside coupling will help. Bigger wrench. If it's old
galvanized be prepared to start replacing back farther and farther until
you've replaced it all.

Sounds like a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" to me...

--

On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:23:59 -0700, Dave-s
wrote:

Hi,
I have an old Rainbird Sprinkler head on a galvanized pipe. Both the
are 50 years old. Cannot determine model number. Sprinkler still works
but may have weak springs.

My question is about removing the sprinkler head from the galvanized
pipe. Does the rainbird unscrew counter clockwise or clockwise?
I've been spraying chainsaw penetrating oil in the copper galvanized
joint for days and it won't loosen.

What else can I do to remove that sprinkler without damaging the
rainbird or pipe and threads? Is there a better penetrating product?

I've never heard of chainsaw penetrating oil and afaik the
distinguishing feature of chain oil and chain saw oil is that it is
waxy and doesn't fly off the chain as quickly. It seems to me like
the opposite of a penetrating oil.

I think that, like they say, no matter what, you may breake the pipes.
Any chance of rebuilding the head while it is on the pipe? Lay a big
sheet or 3 around the pipe, on the grass to catch any parts that go
flying.

Although the sprinkler still works.

Thanks, Dave_s