Derek Geldard wrote:
On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:31:29 +0100, "John"
wrote:


"crb" wrote in message
...
On 20 Aug, 12:22, "john royce" wrote:

Is there anything that I might cut down that would act as soft
washers. I thought of using leather but guess they might wear and
or cut through very easily. grateful for any suggestions. Thanks

I had a similar problem which I fixed satisfactorily a couple of
years
ago.

Buy some plain ball valve or stop cock washers (B&Q sell 1/2", 5/8"
and 3/4" diameter packs for around £1). Place one of the appropriate
size over the existing washer and hold in alignment with masking tape
or similar. Then simply drill through the plain washer using the
existing washer as a template to make the central hole.

The material used for these plain washers (EPDM?) is much softer than
standard tap washers.

CRB

By hard to turn off - do you mean there is friction in the mechanism
- if so strip it and grease it. If you mean it drips until you turn
it really hard then just fit new washers and don't be so heavy
handed in the future and they should last for years. All you are
doing with a tap is placing a rubber cap over an outlet - no need to
be heavy handed or you deform the washer.

(I presume they are not ceramic cartridge taps -quarter turn jobbies)


Don't traditional taps go like this when the valve seat has become
eroded ? ISTR a gadget for sale for re-cutting the seats.

Appropriately named a 'tap reseating tool'
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/89487/...EATING-_-89487

They work a treat with a new washer.


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