Common problem I come across is loose taps, mainly on basins & baths, mainly
when flexibles have been used instead of rigid copper pipe (not ones that
I've put in I hasten to add).

Its one of those "oh while you are here, my tap is loose" jobs.

Monoblocks are easy enough, I have a set of the box spanners.

Basins (very tight for space) & baths (difficult access) are more of a
problem.

Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure, so I've found these
Split Klick Top Hat Washers (SF 59646) http://tinyurl.com/5e7yqp which look
like they will solve the problem - anyone used them?

Tightening up the back nut is also a PITA sometimes, basin wrench won't fit,
taptool won't fit, adjustable basin wrench not much use (even the expensive
but really good Monument one). I have a back nut box spanner, but the idea
is to be able to do the job without turning off the water & removing the
supply pipes.

So, a little research on the Googlenet comes up with the Bearhug Bath and
Basin Wrench Kit http://www.toolbank.com/p/D4193/SCOBATW22 and the Armeg Jaw
Dropper Plumbing Spanners
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-A...ers-649972.htm

Does anyone have experience of using either of these?

Don't want to buy another bit of kit to clutter up the van unless it works.
Don't mind spending a few quid to make it a simple job.

Plan 'B' is to buy another Taptool & somehow machine /grind out the jaws to
fit backnuts, but engineering isn't my strong point.

TIA



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Aug 23, 8:48*am, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote:
Common problem I come across is loose taps, mainly on basins & baths, mainly
when flexibles have been used instead of rigid copper pipe (not ones that
I've put in I hasten to add).

Its one of those "oh while you are here, my tap is loose" jobs.

Monoblocks are easy enough, I have a set of the box spanners.

Basins (very tight for space) & baths (difficult access) are more of a
problem.

Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure, so I've found these
Split Klick Top Hat Washers (SF 59646)http://tinyurl.com/5e7yqpwhich look
like they will solve the problem - anyone used them?

Tightening up the back nut is also a PITA sometimes, basin wrench won't fit,
taptool won't fit, adjustable basin wrench not much use (even the expensive
but really good Monument one). *I have a back nut box spanner, but the idea
is to be able to do the job without turning off the water & removing the
supply pipes.

So, a little research on the Googlenet comes up with the Bearhug Bath and
Basin Wrench Kithttp://www.toolbank.com/p/D4193/SCOBATW22and the Armeg Jaw
Dropper Plumbing Spannershttp://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Armeg-Jaw-Dropper-Plumbing-Spanner...

Does anyone have experience of using either of these?

Don't want to buy another bit of kit to clutter up the van unless it works.
Don't mind spending a few quid to make it a simple job.

Plan 'B' is to buy another Taptool & somehow machine /grind out the jaws to
fit backnuts, but engineering isn't my strong point.

TIA

I'll keep an eye on this thread. Sorry I cant help


NT

On Aug 23, 8:48*am, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote:

Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure...

I'd try some silicone sealant between tap body and basin top (unless
anyone has a better idea )

I doubt the backnut can loosen if the tap cannot move.

cheers,
Pete.

Pete C ukdiy wrote:
On Aug 23, 8:48 am, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote:

Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure...

I'd try some silicone sealant between tap body and basin top (unless
anyone has a better idea )

I doubt the backnut can loosen if the tap cannot move.

LSX works a treat, but its tightening up an already loose back nut thats the
problem.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:48:39 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Common problem I come across is loose taps, mainly on basins & baths,
mainly when flexibles have been used instead of rigid copper pipe (not
ones that I've put in I hasten to add).

Its one of those "oh while you are here, my tap is loose" jobs.

Monoblocks are easy enough, I have a set of the box spanners.

Basins (very tight for space) & baths (difficult access) are more of a
problem.

Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure, so I've found these
Split Klick Top Hat Washers (SF 59646) http://tinyurl.com/5e7yqp which
look like they will solve the problem - anyone used them?

Tightening up the back nut is also a PITA sometimes, basin wrench won't
fit, taptool won't fit, adjustable basin wrench not much use (even the
expensive but really good Monument one). I have a back nut box spanner,
but the idea is to be able to do the job without turning off the water &
removing the supply pipes.

So, a little research on the Googlenet comes up with the Bearhug Bath
and Basin Wrench Kit http://www.toolbank.com/p/D4193/SCOBATW22 and the
Armeg Jaw Dropper Plumbing Spanners
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-A...pper-Plumbing-
Spanners-649972.htm

Does anyone have experience of using either of these?

Don't want to buy another bit of kit to clutter up the van unless it
works. Don't mind spending a few quid to make it a simple job.

Plan 'B' is to buy another Taptool & somehow machine /grind out the jaws
to fit backnuts, but engineering isn't my strong point.

TIA

===================================
I haven't used or seen the split washers but I guess their main use would
be to replace a damaged washer. You still have the problem of tightening
the backnut. The two (very expensive) alternative spanners you reference
are unlikely to be any improvement on the selection you're already using.
In fact judging purely by the pictures and some general knowledge of
spanners I think they would be less useful than what you already have
because they look quite chunky and 'fiddly' in the case of the adjustable
crow's foot.

I would suggest (as others have) a good dollop of silicone with or
without a standard washer and persuade the user to avoid heavy use of the
tap until the silicone has had time to set. As far as the best spanner is
concerned I would certainly try filing your 'Taptool' (I assume it's the
pressed steel type with umpteen slots - a bit like a bicycle spanner) to
fit a standard backnut. My 'Taptool' has a 26mm small end and the
backnuts I've checked are 28mm so very little filing would be needed. You
might also consider making a single ended tool yourself from a piece of
3mm flat steel. It would be a fairly simple job with drill, file and
vice; it wouldn't be up to automotive standards but it wouldn't need to
be for sanitaryware.

Cic.
--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Common problem I come across is loose taps, mainly on basins & baths, mainly
when flexibles have been used instead of rigid copper pipe (not ones that
I've put in I hasten to add).
...
Tightening up the back nut is only a temporary cure, so I've found these
Split Klick Top Hat Washers (SF 59646) http://tinyurl.com/5e7yqp which look
like they will solve the problem - anyone used them?

This type of washer came with pair of taps I had to fit. I couldnt see
how they were meant to fit - the round bit was too big to fit into the
basins holes, and the square bit was too big to fit in the basin recess
underneath.
What I do use, and thoroughly recommend are these:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34550/...essories/Split
-Klick-Centralising-Washer-Pack-of-10

Gets the taps central, which is the main fault I found, as well and
giving some grip to stop them slipping when tightened, well worth the £1
per tap. Obviously need the taps taking off to fit them.

Tightening up the back nut is also a PITA sometimes, basin wrench won't fit,
taptool won't fit, adjustable basin wrench not much use (even the expensive
but really good Monument one). I have a back nut box spanner, but the idea
is to be able to do the job without turning off the water & removing the
supply pipes.

So, a little research on the Googlenet comes up with the Bearhug Bath and
Basin Wrench Kit http://www.toolbank.com/p/D4193/SCOBATW22

It looks like a waste of time, as they are just too wide to get into the
majority of basins, maybe OK for kitchen sinks, but pretty useless on
bathroom basins.

and the Armeg Jaw Dropper Plumbing Spanners
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-A...g-Spanners-649
972.htm Does anyone have experience of using either of these?

Now this one I have seen, and was sorely tempted to buy it. I didnt
though as I couldnt justify the £40 the shop was asking. It looks about
right to me for bathroom basins.

Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Dropper Plumbing Spanners
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-A...ers-649972.htm

Does anyone have experience of using either of these?

Not tried either, but the Armeg one looks most likely to get the job
done to me.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Cicero wrote:
As far as the best
spanner is concerned I would certainly try filing your 'Taptool' (I
assume it's the pressed steel type with umpteen slots - a bit like a
bicycle spanner) to fit a standard backnut. My 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm so very little
filing would be needed. You might also consider making a single ended
tool yourself from a piece of 3mm flat steel. It would be a fairly
simple job with drill, file and vice; it wouldn't be up to automotive
standards but it wouldn't need to be for sanitaryware.

So, assuming I made one out of 3mm steel, cut the 28 m slot & bent it to a
right angle, would I need to heat treat it in some way to make it strong
enough to work? If so, how would I do that?

Looks like modifying the Taptool might be easier.



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:41:38 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Cicero wrote:
As far as the best
spanner is concerned I would certainly try filing your 'Taptool' (I
assume it's the pressed steel type with umpteen slots - a bit like a
bicycle spanner) to fit a standard backnut. My 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm so very little filing
would be needed. You might also consider making a single ended tool
yourself from a piece of 3mm flat steel. It would be a fairly simple
job with drill, file and vice; it wouldn't be up to automotive
standards but it wouldn't need to be for sanitaryware.

So, assuming I made one out of 3mm steel, cut the 28 m slot & bent it to
a right angle, would I need to heat treat it in some way to make it
strong enough to work? If so, how would I do that?

Looks like modifying the Taptool might be easier.

===================================
Professionally made pressed steel spanners are probably hardened and
tempered but for a home-made light use spanner this wouldn't really be
necessary. If you found that it was wearing or distorting it would be
possible to make a double thickness on the working end. The long handle
part would need to be stiffened by turning the edges over in a vice.

On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described previously.
Filing would be better than angle grinding as very little metal needs to
be removed. They're still only about £5-00 so no great loss if you make a
mess of it. Mine has hardly been used because it appears to fit only a
few older nuts, possibly AF or Whitworth, and I wouldn't miss it if I
lost it. If you find that access is still difficult with the modified
tool use it as the basis for designing your own tool as I suggested.

I forgot to mention the large end dimensions of my Taptool, so here they
a Large end is 31mm - backnuts are 33mm

Cic.
--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

On Aug 23, 7:56*pm, "The Medway Handyman"

I doubt the backnut can loosen if the tap cannot move.

LSX works a treat, but its tightening up an already loose back nut thats the
problem.

If reeaally desparate I'd try a box spanner with a slot cut out of it.

If it wants to open out I'd tighten a jubilee clip around the end
before sliding it up along the flexi to where the backnut is.

Or get someone to weld some small 'U' channel around the end to
reinforce it.

cheers,
Pete.

Cicero wrote:
On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:41:38 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Cicero wrote:
As far as the best
spanner is concerned I would certainly try filing your 'Taptool' (I
assume it's the pressed steel type with umpteen slots - a bit like a
bicycle spanner) to fit a standard backnut. My 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm so very little
filing would be needed. You might also consider making a single
ended tool yourself from a piece of 3mm flat steel. It would be a
fairly simple job with drill, file and vice; it wouldn't be up to
automotive standards but it wouldn't need to be for sanitaryware.

So, assuming I made one out of 3mm steel, cut the 28 m slot & bent
it to a right angle, would I need to heat treat it in some way to
make it strong enough to work? If so, how would I do that?

Looks like modifying the Taptool might be easier.

===================================
Professionally made pressed steel spanners are probably hardened and
tempered but for a home-made light use spanner this wouldn't really be
necessary. If you found that it was wearing or distorting it would be
possible to make a double thickness on the working end. The long
handle part would need to be stiffened by turning the edges over in a
vice.

On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described
previously.

Just to confirm its this one
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Plumbing-Too...er/invt/420064

Filing would be better than angle grinding as very little
metal needs to be removed. They're still only about £5-00 so no great
loss if you make a mess of it.

OK. I thought about my Dremel? Be nice to get some use out ofit.

Mine has hardly been used because it
appears to fit only a few older nuts, possibly AF or Whitworth, and I
wouldn't miss it if I lost it.

Funny you should say that.... :-) Same here.


I forgot to mention the large end dimensions of my Taptool, so here
they a Large end is 31mm - backnuts are 33mm

Thanks for that 28 & 33 it is.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

The Medway Handyman wrote:
Cicero wrote:
On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described
previously.

Just to confirm its this one
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Plumbing-Too...er/invt/420064

Have you tried these:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14631/...nd-Tools/Adjus
table-Basin-Wrench

Just about usable for 90% of tap nuts. The other 10%, I improvise.
Mainly it is lack of access space on bathroom basin taps that stop its
use for the 10%.
Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

A.Lee wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Cicero wrote:
On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume
we're talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described
previously.

Just to confirm its this one
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Plumbing-Too...er/invt/420064

Have you tried these:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14631/...nd-Tools/Adjus
table-Basin-Wrench

Just about usable for 90% of tap nuts. The other 10%, I improvise.
Mainly it is lack of access space on bathroom basin taps that stop its
use for the 10%.

I have tried several Al. with most of them the reversable jaw flips over at
more that 90 degrees, resulting in an 'oof square' fit on the nut IYSWIM.
The Monument one
http://www.shop-com.co.uk/Monument_D...l?sourceid=309
is much better as the jaw flips to 90 degrees.

As you say, mainly basin taps, especially those pesky corner basins.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:48:43 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Cicero wrote:
On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:41:38 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Cicero wrote:
As far as the best
spanner is concerned I would certainly try filing your 'Taptool' (I
assume it's the pressed steel type with umpteen slots - a bit like a
bicycle spanner) to fit a standard backnut. My 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm so very little
filing would be needed. You might also consider making a single ended
tool yourself from a piece of 3mm flat steel. It would be a fairly
simple job with drill, file and vice; it wouldn't be up to automotive
standards but it wouldn't need to be for sanitaryware.

So, assuming I made one out of 3mm steel, cut the 28 m slot & bent it
to a right angle, would I need to heat treat it in some way to make it
strong enough to work? If so, how would I do that?

Looks like modifying the Taptool might be easier.

===================================
Professionally made pressed steel spanners are probably hardened and
tempered but for a home-made light use spanner this wouldn't really be
necessary. If you found that it was wearing or distorting it would be
possible to make a double thickness on the working end. The long handle
part would need to be stiffened by turning the edges over in a vice.

On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described previously.

Just to confirm its this one
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Plumbing-Too...ersal-Spanner/
invt/420064

Filing would be better than angle grinding as very little
metal needs to be removed. They're still only about £5-00 so no great
loss if you make a mess of it.

OK. I thought about my Dremel? Be nice to get some use out ofit.

Mine has hardly been used because it
appears to fit only a few older nuts, possibly AF or Whitworth, and I
wouldn't miss it if I lost it.

Funny you should say that.... :-) Same here.


I forgot to mention the large end dimensions of my Taptool, so here
they a Large end is 31mm - backnuts are 33mm

Thanks for that 28 & 33 it is.

==================================
One reply to avoid confusion...

Yes, we are talking about the same tool AND as far as method of modifying
is concerned, by all means use your Dremel if you're comfortable with it
but I would prefer hand filing for better control.

As far as the possible sizes are concerned (possibly AF / Whitworth) I've
just come across the third option - Sod's Law. I've just taken off a
faulty hot tap (Wickes - about 7 years old) and my Taptool fitted
perfectly and it was the only of the three which would fit. It won't be
discarded for some time yet!

Cic.
--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

Cicero wrote:

On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described
previously. Filing would be better than angle grinding as very little
metal needs to be removed.

I forgot to mention the large end dimensions of my Taptool, so here
they a Large end is 31mm - backnuts are 33mm. 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm

I found an old el cheapo basin wrench in the workshop like this
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13294/...s/Basin-Wrench
don't think I've ever used it.

Compared it to my back nut box spanner & it was very close, slightly
smaller. A vernier caliper confirmed it.

Filed it out a bit to exact size, looks hopefull & dead easy to file out a
bit more.

I'm going to buy one of each backnuts tomorrow & try it.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Cicero wrote:

On the whole I would start by modifying the 'Taptool'- I assume we're
talking about the same thing - multi-purpose item described previously.
Filing would be better than angle grinding as very little metal needs
to be removed.

I forgot to mention the large end dimensions of my Taptool, so here
they a Large end is 31mm - backnuts are 33mm. 'Taptool' has a 26mm
small end and the backnuts I've checked are 28mm

I found an old el cheapo basin wrench in the workshop like this
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13294/...renches/Basin-
Wrench
don't think I've ever used it.

Compared it to my back nut box spanner & it was very close, slightly
smaller. A vernier caliper confirmed it.

Filed it out a bit to exact size, looks hopefull & dead easy to file out
a bit more.

I'm going to buy one of each backnuts tomorrow & try it.

==================================
I've got one of those too - the first I bought years ago, I think. Easy
filing - malleable cast iron - doesn't break like drain-pipe cast.

Be careful about the backnuts, because some (e.g. Wickes trade) are hard
plastic whilst others (probably better quality) are still brass. It might
be worth taking your spanner with you when you go shopping and ask
somebody to open a package or two for you to check for size(s).

Cic.
--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================