I take a 1 1/2-inch brass nut and cut through the threads at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock with a small saw. Don't cut all the way through the nut, just the threads. I spray some WD-40 and work the threads with the nut until clean. Basically, I make a die without the weight, size or awkwardness of a die. Don't get me wrong: I'm not making new threads. I'm cleaning the junk out of the old threads for a clean install.
Dana Drew Beacon Plumbing Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.