What tool can I use to open up a tight outside faucet?

So, a handle similar to this ?

You could make your own tool by taking a foot-long scrap board and putting 2 screws toward one end. Space the screws so that the heads will fit through diametrically opposed holes on the faucet handle. Leave the screw heads protruding just enough to positively engage the handle.

Now you have a long lever to multiply your force.

@thorninmud Yes, exactly. May be worth asking a stronger friend rather than fashioning a tool. I just tried an adjustable monkey wrench but that didn’t do it. I also tried using a chisel as a lever.

If it is one like this one you could try to place a steel/copper pipe (with approximately the same width as) over one of the ‘hands’ and (try to) turn it counterclockwise.
The longer the pipe, the easier it (should) be. lever)

A really good looking teen-age male with a superior monkey wrench works for me.

@gailcalled Would a 47 year old work as well, do you think?

Depends on how good looking and how strong his monkey wrench. Do some empirical research and report back.

@janbb I am forty five….. ~

@rebbel C’mon over. But seriously, it looks like the one thorny linked to.

Yeah, I got that.
Good solution.
Another thing to consider (if you haven’t already opened it): Due to humidity and temperature it could be that a little rust has settled inside the tap (where the ‘turnthing’ goes inside the tap).
You can scare the faucet by giving him/her a little hit with a hammer.
But wait for another member to confirm or refute this theory, it could be a myth….

@rebbel Hitting something with a hammer is never a bad idea!

Particularly when it is not my faucet, but yours.

landscaper just stopped by and he couldn’t get it so will try my friend and his tools or plumber. At least I don’t feel like a wimp.

Two channel locks. If that doesn’t work, nothing will.

The few outdoor faucets I have disassembled have had brass innards and were super tight because the little domed shaped washer at the end of the long brass shaft that actually does the water stoppage was worn and required the valve to be over-tightened. If you can shut the water off to the faucet, you can unfreeze the faucet by removing the whole works. (that would be by removing the big nut behind the handle. Once removed from the body of the faucet, it should be relatively easy to un-stick and replace the worn parts. Re-assemble and you should be good as new.

@majorrich OK – but that will have to done by my friend or a plumber; beyond my capabilities.

If you think you can get some liquid to penetrate, I’ve gotten good results with something called Liquid Wrench. Let stand for 30 minutes, then give it a go.

My friend is coming over in the morning to work on it. Will let you know what transpires.

Liquid Wrench is really good, as is WD-40. Try one of those.

Get you a strap wrench Like This you can use it for this and other things like opening caps on old pickle jars and such. Plus, the strapping young stud you have coming over tomorrow would appreciate it.

@rojo He’s a “Husky” man but thanks!

Update: Friend was here all day replacing the whole faucet and pipes and coming back tomorrow to finish.