i like the hand tools idea, but i cut through two opposite sides of those fittings in 5 seconds with a grinder cuttoff wheel. they fall off with no effort.
also, plated yellow brass by me is not dirty brass, even if its chrome plated, they pay clean price. maybe something worth checking out. i dont want to see your film-making budget fall off because you got beat for a few bucks on that brass.
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