ORIGINAL: CraigG
Anybody know how to get air lines off brass nipples (connections to cylinders/tee's/restrictors) without sliting them and creating a scratch on the nipple? The newer type air lines like BV sells are very robust and I have a heck of a time getting them off without cutting them. The resulting scratch will frequently leak air when I reconnect the line. The problem is compounded when the connection is difficult to reach inside the plane.
I mention this because sometimes when I am trouble shooting leaks, I create additional problems by disconnecting and reconnecting air lines.
Craig
Use a soldering iron to melt the tubing. Just melt about 1/3 of the tube that sits on the nipple, and it should pop right off with no damage. You don't have to melt it down to bare brass, as you don't want to heat up the nipple.
I have a small butane fired iron from Weller that heats up in less than a minute and I use it a ton. it also converts into a small pencil torch. One of those great little tools I use all the time.