Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:

Only believe what storemen tell you if
you already know they know what
they're talking about.

Very sound advice. But surely it should also apply to believing what's
posted here? Sometimes one simply has to trust by instinct.

Anyway, the tap is now reassembled, the spout swivels and the joint does not
leak. Thanks to everyone for the comments and advice.

Bert