Which Drum Plug Wrench Is Right for You?
Getting the container open safely starts with using the right approach. Trying to force it open without the proper tool can create unnecessary risk. There are people out there who will actually try to open a drum with a pair of pliers, or a hammer and a screwdriver, but then there are also people who’ll bring a penknife to a gunfight. As always, the right tool makes any job a lot easier, faster, and safer. So, use a plug wrench (some people say “bung wrench”).
Hey, where did the word “bung” come from anyway? The old Dutch word bonghe means “hole”. Before there were steel drums, there were wood barrels which were sealed with a tapered wood plug driven into a hole. Somewhere along the way, some people started calling the plug the bung. Either way, steel and plastic replaced wood, but the name stuck. Lately, we’ve been using the word “closure”, a more accurate term, maybe, but without any interesting history.
Choosing the Right Wrench for Your Application
The Right wrench depends on the kind of container you have and what’s inside. Let’s start with the basics: If you’re working with, or around, flammables, using an iron or steel wrench is flirtin’ with disaster. Hmmm, maybe there’s where the phrase “bungled the job” came from. You must use a bronze or aluminum wrench, like our Model 975M and RWA, to minimize the chance of dangerous sparks.
Model 950M is also spark-resistant, and has a convenient wrench pad that tightens ¾” safety faucets, too.
Wrenches for Steel and Plastic Drums
Steel Drums usually have two plugs in the lid or cover: one 2” and one ¾”, or sometimes two 2” pipe-thread plugs. The plugs are usually (but not always) metal. Plastic Drums usually have two 2” plastic buttress-thread plugs. And, often those plugs have smaller ¾” plugs in the center.
By the way, here’s a quick note about plug sizes and threads: plug sizes, like 2” and ¾”, are NOMINAL sizes. They don’t actually measure 2” or ¾”, but if you say “I need a wrench for a 2” steel plug”, we’ll know exactly what you mean. Also, metal and plastic plugs for STEEL drums have National Pipe Threads (NPT or NPS), while plastic plugs for plastic drums have very coarse, buttress threads. It can be confusing, but that’s why you call BASCO, right?
Wrenches for Plastic Pails
Plastic Pails sometimes have a screw cap closure, so you’ll want a wrench like Model 70MM-1. There are different wrenches for the different sizes and types of screw caps.
Wrenches for IBC Totes
Composite intermediate bulk containers (IBCs or totes) almost always have a 6” screw cap on top. Far and away the best way to open these caps is with our Model IBCW6 fill cap wrench. It will save a lot of knuckle busting and cursing.
Universal Drum Plug Wrenches
Many wrenches are universal and will fit a wide range of plugs on plastic and steel drums. The most popular all-purpose wrench is cast iron, like our Model 950ZU. It’s strong, compact, and inexpensive, so you can afford to have one in each work area. For extra leverage and utility, check out our Model 59 series wrenches. They’re longer, open more types of plugs, and come in iron, bronze, or aluminum.
Simple drum wrenches are great for opening and closing a few plugs at a time. If you’re opening and closing a lot of plugs, you’ll want some help. Get our Model SAB200HR and SAB75H sockets to use with your air wrench or our 2” Model DRWH2 tool you can use with a cordless drill.
Torque Requirements for UN Drums
A very important word about UN-Specification drums and torque: if you’re closing UN-Specification containers, Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require you to exactly follow the closing instructions you received from the container supplier. That means you must use a torque wrench, like our Model BTW, Model RWP, Model TW, or other controlled torque device. You can also use our drum plug sockets with your own torque tool. Basic torque wrenches have a scale or a dial that the user must read to apply the proper torque.
A mechanic’s adjustable torque wrench can be set to “slip” or “break” at any required torque, but you have to be sure the torque value is correctly set for each size and type of closure. Our preset torque plug wrenches have the same slight “break” or “slip” in the wrench handle, and they’re color-coded so it’s easy to know that you’re using the right wrench.
Don’t Wait…Recalibrate!
During a DOT inspection of your facility, you’ll have to demonstrate to a DOT inspector that your torque wrenches are accurate. No matter which torque tool you use they do get out of whack, so you should recalibrate them at least once a year. Recalibration brings your wrenches into compliance with International Standards Organization (ISO) standards, and makes sure that your torque wrenches are delivering what they should.
You can get recalibration service for your torque tools right here at BASCO. Call your expertly trained BASCO Customer Service person at 1-800-776-3786 to start the process. Or, you can recalibrate your 3/8” or ½” drive torque wrench yourself with our Model TAF50 Torque Wrench Tester.
When you need a Plug Wrench, get it Right... get it from BASCO!
A plug wrench isn’t a major purchase, but it’s an important one. BASCO makes it easy to get the one that’s right for you. No matter what your product or package, BASCO will help you get what you need to get your job done right. We have 80+ years of experience in the industrial container business, and the best trained and most knowledgeable customer service people.
