The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice
You can get right angled screwdrivers, even ratchet ones

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2611145...pes& var=sbar

On 15/11/2012 14:15, F Murtz wrote:
stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice
You can get right angled screwdrivers, even ratchet ones

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2611145...pes& var=sbar


I have something very similar which is a Halfords "own brand". Failing
that you could always grip a screwdriver bit in a small mole wrench
which would let you apply axial force as well as "twist".

On 15/11/2012 14:15, F Murtz wrote:
stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice
You can get right angled screwdrivers, even ratchet ones

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2611145...pes& var=sbar


But it needs an inch and I don't quite have that much

On 15/11/2012 14:42, newshound wrote:
On 15/11/2012 14:15, F Murtz wrote:
stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice
You can get right angled screwdrivers, even ratchet ones

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2611145...pes& var=sbar



I have something very similar which is a Halfords "own brand". Failing
that you could always grip a screwdriver bit in a small mole wrench
which would let you apply axial force as well as "twist".


Ah, you obviously missed the mole grips mention in the original post
The bits I have are all 25mm and I imagine that's a standard size.
I could do with 3 or 4 mm less. Looks like an angle grinder job

"stuart noble" wrote in message
news
On 15/11/2012 14:15, F Murtz wrote:
stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice
You can get right angled screwdrivers, even ratchet ones

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2611145...pes& var=sbar


But it needs an inch and I don't quite have that much
__________________________________________________ ____

It will be an allen key. Mine are. Bloody modern rubbish.
Bite the bullet, take best guess and cut an allen key to a short length.
Or, blast it with WD 40 or something.

On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:42:42 +0000, stuart noble
wrote:

The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

23mm is not a lot to play with, I have an Xcelite right angled ratchet
screwdriver, but even that might struggle with so little clearance (it was a
*very* silly price from Farnell a few years back but was the only way to do one
particular job and someone else was picking up the bill)

It's similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-RT-RIGH...-/280392063150

If the tap is on flexies then just remove the nut and use a normal screwdriver

Alternatively use a core drill from the outside and then use a long screwdriver,
refit core and bodge with silicone sealant and gaffer tape.


--

On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it apart

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take it
apart

Did you even read my post?

On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi or
philips head. Did you even read mine?

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.

On 15/11/2012 18:11, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it apart
If I remember rightly, the grub screw sits in a groove in the spout and
stops it moving up and out of the fitting so, in principle, taking that
out should let you lift it out (cack in the gap permitting)

In message , The Other Mike
writes
On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:42:42 +0000, stuart noble
wrote:

The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

23mm is not a lot to play with, I have an Xcelite right angled ratchet
screwdriver, but even that might struggle with so little clearance (it was a
*very* silly price from Farnell a few years back but was the only way to do one
particular job and someone else was picking up the bill)

It's similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-RT-RIGH...EWDRIVER-TOOL-
SET-/280392063150

If the tap is on flexies then just remove the nut and use a normal screwdriver

Alternatively use a core drill from the outside and then use a long
screwdriver,
refit core and bodge with silicone sealant and gaffer tape.

To avoid this problem, I on a couple of occasions I've made sure that I
fitted the tap 'the wrong way round', so that the grub-screw was at the
front (and adjusted the handles to suit). Of course, if you do have to
remove the spout (say to replace the O-ring), to forestall the
inevitable departure and loss of the grub-screw, make sure that the plug
is in the plug-hole.
--
Ian

On 15/11/2012 19:05, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.



If you don't want to be ignored, you should perhaps read the post before
replying. It's not like it was long and rambling. Sorry and all that,
but it's normal to thank one and all when the thread dies. If you want
individual thanks you're probably in the wrong place.

On 15/11/2012 21:24, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , The Other Mike
writes
On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:42:42 +0000, stuart noble

wrote:

The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

23mm is not a lot to play with, I have an Xcelite right angled ratchet
screwdriver, but even that might struggle with so little clearance (it
was a
*very* silly price from Farnell a few years back but was the only way
to do one
particular job and someone else was picking up the bill)

It's similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-RT-RIGH...EWDRIVER-TOOL-
SET-/280392063150

If the tap is on flexies then just remove the nut and use a normal
screwdriver

Alternatively use a core drill from the outside and then use a long
screwdriver,
refit core and bodge with silicone sealant and gaffer tape.

To avoid this problem, I on a couple of occasions I've made sure that I
fitted the tap 'the wrong way round', so that the grub-screw was at the
front (and adjusted the handles to suit). Of course, if you do have to
remove the spout (say to replace the O-ring), to forestall the
inevitable departure and loss of the grub-screw, make sure that the plug
is in the plug-hole.

Wow, that's what you call forward thinking!

On 15/11/2012 20:40, GMM wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:11, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key
with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it apart
If I remember rightly, the grub screw sits in a groove in the spout and
stops it moving up and out of the fitting so, in principle, taking that
out should let you lift it out (cack in the gap permitting)

That's what I thought. This thing has been stiff since the day it was
fitted. I hoped it would loosen up in use but that hasn't happened

In message , stuart noble
writes
On 15/11/2012 20:40, GMM wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:11, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:



If I remember rightly, the grub screw sits in a groove in the spout and
stops it moving up and out of the fitting so, in principle, taking that
out should let you lift it out (cack in the gap permitting)

That's what I thought. This thing has been stiff since the day it was
fitted. I hoped it would loosen up in use but that hasn't happened

A spot of silicone grease (or other high-melting-point grease) should
help. [So will WD40, but it's effectiveness probably won't last very
long.]
--
Ian

In message , stuart noble
writes
On 15/11/2012 21:24, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , The Other Mike
writes
On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:42:42 +0000, stuart noble

wrote:

The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

23mm is not a lot to play with, I have an Xcelite right angled ratchet
screwdriver, but even that might struggle with so little clearance (it
was a
*very* silly price from Farnell a few years back but was the only way
to do one
particular job and someone else was picking up the bill)

It's similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-RT-RIGH...EWDRIVER-TOOL-
SET-/280392063150

If the tap is on flexies then just remove the nut and use a normal
screwdriver

Alternatively use a core drill from the outside and then use a long
screwdriver,
refit core and bodge with silicone sealant and gaffer tape.

To avoid this problem, I on a couple of occasions I've made sure that I
fitted the tap 'the wrong way round', so that the grub-screw was at the
front (and adjusted the handles to suit). Of course, if you do have to
remove the spout (say to replace the O-ring), to forestall the
inevitable departure and loss of the grub-screw, make sure that the plug
is in the plug-hole.

Wow, that's what you call forward thinking!

I was once a Boy Scout, and still live by the motto.
--
Ian

On 16/11/2012 09:08, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , stuart noble
writes
On 15/11/2012 20:40, GMM wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:11, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:



If I remember rightly, the grub screw sits in a groove in the spout and
stops it moving up and out of the fitting so, in principle, taking that
out should let you lift it out (cack in the gap permitting)

That's what I thought. This thing has been stiff since the day it was
fitted. I hoped it would loosen up in use but that hasn't happened

A spot of silicone grease (or other high-melting-point grease) should
help. [So will WD40, but it's effectiveness probably won't last very long.]

Very difficult to get any lubricant in there. Because of the design it
would have to soak upwards.

In message , stuart noble
writes
On 16/11/2012 09:08, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , stuart noble
writes
On 15/11/2012 20:40, GMM wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:11, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:



If I remember rightly, the grub screw sits in a groove in the spout and
stops it moving up and out of the fitting so, in principle, taking that
out should let you lift it out (cack in the gap permitting)

That's what I thought. This thing has been stiff since the day it was
fitted. I hoped it would loosen up in use but that hasn't happened

A spot of silicone grease (or other high-melting-point grease) should
help. [So will WD40, but it's effectiveness probably won't last very long.]

Very difficult to get any lubricant in there. Because of the design it
would have to soak upwards.

You'll need to pull the spout off first, dry it and the bit it plugs
into, and then apply the grease.
--
Ian

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 19:05, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw
at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key
with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for
an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal
driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout
moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.



If you don't want to be ignored, you should perhaps read the post before
replying. It's not like it was long and rambling. Sorry and all that, but
it's normal to thank one and all when the thread dies. If you want
individual thanks you're probably in the wrong place.


Don't try to tell me what is normal in a thread.
Have you even tried a blast of WD 40?

On 16/11/2012 14:13, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 19:05, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw
at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key
with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket for
an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal
driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout
moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.



If you don't want to be ignored, you should perhaps read the post before
replying. It's not like it was long and rambling. Sorry and all that, but
it's normal to thank one and all when the thread dies. If you want
individual thanks you're probably in the wrong place.


Don't try to tell me what is normal in a thread.
Have you even tried a blast of WD 40?


Yes, and I've even said why that doesn't work

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 16/11/2012 14:13, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 19:05, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so
I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub
screw
at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver
in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips,
but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key
with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket
for
an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which
fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal
driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a
suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure
because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout
moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I
take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My
allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi
or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.



If you don't want to be ignored, you should perhaps read the post before
replying. It's not like it was long and rambling. Sorry and all that,
but
it's normal to thank one and all when the thread dies. If you want
individual thanks you're probably in the wrong place.


Don't try to tell me what is normal in a thread.
Have you even tried a blast of WD 40?


Yes, and I've even said why that doesn't work

I missed it.
Take care :-)

Errrrr, you could always employ a plumber like I had to do with my 4 year
old dripping kitchen tap.
Bloody ceramic washers!!!!!!!!!!!!

On 16/11/2012 16:15, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 16/11/2012 14:13, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 19:05, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:16, Mr Pounder wrote:
"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 15/11/2012 18:02, Roger Mills wrote:
On 15/11/2012 13:42, stuart noble wrote:
The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so
I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub
screw
at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver
in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips,
but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key
with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

I'm not quite sure from your post whether the screw has a socket
for
an
Allen key, or whether it's Pozi.

However - whichever it is - I assume that you've got a bit which
fits
it? The bit is presumably hexagonal is section, to fit a normal
driver?
Rather than use a Mole Wrench, why not rotate the bit with a
suitably
sized ring spanner? If the bit is too long for the available space,
grind some off the non-working end.

Chicken and egg. I think it's a pozi but I can't tell for sure
because
the
bit's too long. Yes, it's angle grinder time.
I'm guessing the grub screw has no effect on how freely the spout
moves,
and I'm now wondering whether there's anything I can do even if I
take
it
apart

Did you even read my post?


I did, but it's not an allen key. It's either pozi or philips. My
allen
keys are shorter and there would be room for them if they had a pozi
or
philips head. Did you even read mine?


Well, thanks for saying taa for the effort Mr Pounder.
I tried to help and was ignored.
You just have to be a southerner.



If you don't want to be ignored, you should perhaps read the post before
replying. It's not like it was long and rambling. Sorry and all that,
but
it's normal to thank one and all when the thread dies. If you want
individual thanks you're probably in the wrong place.


Don't try to tell me what is normal in a thread.
Have you even tried a blast of WD 40?


Yes, and I've even said why that doesn't work

I missed it.
Take care :-)

Errrrr, you could always employ a plumber like I had to do with my 4 year
old dripping kitchen tap.
Bloody ceramic washers!!!!!!!!!!!!


Well, it's done. Boy those screwdriver bits are hard, so shortening them
is not trivial. Tried the hacksaw but it would have taken all day.
Managed to grind a couple of mm off and that was enough to get the screw
started, then it was pliers and fingers. Used vaseline because I
couldn't find the silicone spray. Moving a bit more freely now I think
but I'm not sure about the white plastic washer at the top. It's not a
full circle so it may be broken or it may be designed that way. I'm
happy to leave well alone for now, and we'll see if her indoors notices
the change.
Thanks everybody.

"Ian Jackson" wrote in message
...
In message , stuart noble
writes
On 15/11/2012 21:24, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , The Other Mike
writes
On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:42:42 +0000, stuart noble

wrote:

The spout on our kitchen mixer tap has always been a bit stiff so I
thought I'd take it off and have a look. Problem is, the grub screw at
the back is too close to the tiles to get any sort of screwdriver in
there. I had thought I could hold a bit in a pair of mole grips, but
even that's too long. The gap I have is around 23mm. An allen key with
a
phillips/pozi head might fit, but is there such a thing? I'm sure
plumbers must have encountered this problem.
Cheers for any advice

23mm is not a lot to play with, I have an Xcelite right angled ratchet
screwdriver, but even that might struggle with so little clearance (it
was a
*very* silly price from Farnell a few years back but was the only way
to do one
particular job and someone else was picking up the bill)

It's similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-RT-RIGH...EWDRIVER-TOOL-
SET-/280392063150

If the tap is on flexies then just remove the nut and use a normal
screwdriver

Alternatively use a core drill from the outside and then use a long
screwdriver,
refit core and bodge with silicone sealant and gaffer tape.

To avoid this problem, I on a couple of occasions I've made sure that I
fitted the tap 'the wrong way round', so that the grub-screw was at the
front (and adjusted the handles to suit). Of course, if you do have to
remove the spout (say to replace the O-ring), to forestall the
inevitable departure and loss of the grub-screw, make sure that the plug
is in the plug-hole.

Wow, that's what you call forward thinking!

I was once a Boy Scout, and still live by the motto.
--
Ian

Now then, now then.