Dismantling 3” Stokes Mortar

[peregrinvs]

Have acquired this incomplete 3” Stokes mortar which I’m intending to restore and complete with other parts I have. Could anyone who has successfully unscrewed the bottom cap and cartridge tube on a rusted and seized example of one of these (or done something similar) please explain how they did it? I have tried before on another Stokes and ended up snapping off the cartridge tube. Thanks.

 

[BMG50]

Good old heat but not so the item is red and plenty of penetrating oil. grip in vice with wood or leather protecting the parts, twist both ways.

 

[peregrinvs]

Thanks. As a preliminary I’m going to remove as much external rust as I can and then try and soak some Evaporust or similar into the threads to soften the rust on them.

 

[HAZORD]

You would be better using some good penetrating oil after the Evaporust.

 

[peregrinvs]

You would be better using some good penetrating oil after the Evaporust.

Yes. A good soak of that will be the last stage after I feel I’ve removed as much corrosion as I can.

 

[HAZORD]

After you get it cleaned, you can put the penetrating oil on the outside and put about 3/8 inch inside, to soak out into the threads from the inside. The ones I have are right-hand thread.