I picked up this dump-find lugged bike that is in really bad shape but I'd like to try and save the Tange 2 frame. After 2 mini-wars with the seat post and stem, I have it stripped down to the BB. It has a Shimano type cartridge and I picked up a Park BBT-22 tool that fits but cups are tight as crap and I can't remember which way they turn. Help please. I thought the chainring side was standard and the other reverse. I stopped beating on because I started thinking I had it backwards.

You have it backwards. On pedals left is left and on the BB it is the opposite so the drive side is left-threaded (unless it is French or Italian).

Thanks Iowegian, now I just have to beat on it twice as hard the other direction to undo what I have done. Sheeesh!

I just waged - and finally won - my own war with an old BB. In short, turn it clockwise to loosen the drive side. Park tools has pics on their web site.

Couple of other observations:

1) I needed to fasten the BBT-22 tool to the BB. Unfastened it would just slip off and I was worried about stripping it. However, the bolt for the crank arm was too short. I had to get a longer one from hardware store. If you need to do this, and your BB is Shimano, look for an M8 bolt, 35mm or 40mm x 1.0. I had a hard time finding the 1.0 thread as most stores carry the M8 in 1.25 thread which is too wide.

2) It's all about leverage. Even with the BBT-22 firmly bolted on to the BB I couldn't budge it with a 12" socket wrench. I bought a 24" breaker bar from Amazon for about $17. It was amazing how easy it came off using the longer lever.