Plumbing part installation and removal tool

A plumbing tool is constructed for installing and removing plumbing parts such as tub and sink drains that are engaged together by conventional right-hand threads, one within another. The tool can also be constructed to remove or install left-hand parts. The plumbing extraction and installation tool has an elongated core member with a stud at one end, a cylindrical intermediate section threaded with right-hand threads, and an outwardly flared frustoconical section at the end opposite the stud. A barrel member is internally threaded with right-hand threads at one end and a radial channel is defined in its inwardly facing wall. This channel is bounded by a radially inwardly directed annular lip at its lower extremity. A plurality of wedge members have hooks or tangs at their upper proximal ends that are captured between the barrel member and the core member. Advancement of the barrel member into threaded engagement with the externally threaded portion of the core member causes the distal ends of the wedge members to be pushed radially outwardly to engage the inner cylindrical wall of a plumbing part to be gripped. The tool with the plumbing part frictionally engaged by the wedge elements is then rotated into either a clockwise direction to advance or install a movable plumbing part coaxially within a surrounding stationary plumbing part, or in a counterclockwise direction to remove or disengage one plumbing part relative to another.