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#1
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard
knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian |
#2
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Sat, 1 Dec 2012 21:00:27 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? By Bog-Standard I expect you don't mean a TRV. So given that, what do you mean by a "top" and how do they differ from a knob. Is a "cap" the plastic part that makes a valve into a lock shield valve? -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
#3
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message , Graham.
writes On Sat, 1 Dec 2012 21:00:27 +0000, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? By Bog-Standard I expect you don't mean a TRV. No, it's the simple, old-fashioned, turn-it-yourself valve. So given that, what do you mean by a "top" and how do they differ from a knob. Is a "cap" the plastic part that makes a valve into a lock shield valve? Most sites call caps 'caps', but I think I've seen one or two refer to them as 'tops' or 'covers' (like this) http://www.screwfix.com/p/universal-...te-finish-25mm /35656 which isn't what I want. I want a knob (about a dozen), like the one on this valve: http://www.screwfix.com/p/angled-radiator-valve-chrome-15mm-x/33920 Hen's teeth seem two-a-penny compared with knobs. -- Ian |
#4
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
I've been looking for one that is basically an outside plastic bit and an
inside plastic bit. the outer bit screws into the valve and the inner bit has a serrated hole with a metal bit across that fits into a slot in the valve. Brian -- From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active "Graham." wrote in message ... On Sat, 1 Dec 2012 21:00:27 +0000, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? By Bog-Standard I expect you don't mean a TRV. So given that, what do you mean by a "top" and how do they differ from a knob. Is a "cap" the plastic part that makes a valve into a lock shield valve? -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
#5
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Sat, 1 Dec 2012 21:48:03 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote: In message , Graham. writes On Sat, 1 Dec 2012 21:00:27 +0000, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? By Bog-Standard I expect you don't mean a TRV. No, it's the simple, old-fashioned, turn-it-yourself valve. So given that, what do you mean by a "top" and how do they differ from a knob. Is a "cap" the plastic part that makes a valve into a lock shield valve? Most sites call caps 'caps', but I think I've seen one or two refer to them as 'tops' or 'covers' (like this) http://www.screwfix.com/p/universal-...te-finish-25mm /35656 which isn't what I want. I want a knob (about a dozen), like the one on this valve: http://www.screwfix.com/p/angled-radiator-valve-chrome-15mm-x/33920 Hen's teeth seem two-a-penny compared with knobs. Admittedly a few years ago, but I got some packs of two universal knobs from Wilkinson's. Each knob came with a selection of metal inserts to fit most valve spindles. I think I had to take a file to one of the inserts to make it fit my valves. -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
#6
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Dec 1, 9:00*pm, Ian Jackson
wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. |
#7
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message
, harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00*pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. My CH system is around 40 years old. The plastic radiator knobs are hollow, and like many plastic mouldings, seem to be purposely designed to break or split if extra force is needed to turn them - as will often happen if a valve hasn't been used for some time, and is stiff (or even completely seized). The simple cure (preferably pre-emptive) is remove each knob, and make it into a hard, solid lump by filling the void with resin. After that, the knob is virtually bomb-proof (even for the most ham-fisted of us who don't recognise a seized valve when they feel one). However, some of my split knobs - although now repaired - are rather tatty. While I could tart them up with resin, paint them, and make them look like new, there's little point in doing this if I can get some suitable replacements. I can't believe that it's so difficult (if not impossible) to find a supplier. Surely I can't be the only one whose radiator valve knobs are broken or missing? -- Ian |
#8
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On 02/12/2012 08:55, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. The square ones are rare, most have a rectangular fitting maybe 2mm x 6mm? -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk |
#9
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message , The Medway Handyman
writes On 02/12/2012 08:55, Ian Jackson wrote: In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. The square ones are rare, most have a rectangular fitting maybe 2mm x 6mm? Yes, you may be right (presumably like this one). http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/product.p...d=30956&utm_so urce=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=froogle&g clid=CKHX1Ia3-7MCFebLtA odTWgAqw I'd assumed that 1/4" was the standard. Also, I'm beginning to wonder if 'cap' is the correct name for what ordinary mortals would call a 'knob'. I would have thought that a cap went at the other end of the radiator from the end where the knob was - but I see that some so-called 'caps' appear to be meant to be turned (and not just cover the end of the spindle). What is correct? -- Ian |
#10
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On 02/12/2012 09:49, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , The Medway Handyman writes On 02/12/2012 08:55, Ian Jackson wrote: In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. The square ones are rare, most have a rectangular fitting maybe 2mm x 6mm? Yes, you may be right (presumably like this one). http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/product.p...d=30956&utm_so urce=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=froogle&g clid=CKHX1Ia3-7MCFebLtA odTWgAqw I'd assumed that 1/4" was the standard. Also, I'm beginning to wonder if 'cap' is the correct name for what ordinary mortals would call a 'knob'. I would have thought that a cap went at the other end of the radiator from the end where the knob was - but I see that some so-called 'caps' appear to be meant to be turned (and not just cover the end of the spindle). What is correct? I would go see a plumber that does central heating and maybe he will get you some when he does an install from the old stuff. |
#11
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Dec 2, 8:55*am, Ian Jackson
wrote: In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. My CH system is around 40 years old. The plastic radiator knobs are hollow, and like many plastic mouldings, seem to be purposely designed to break or split if extra force is needed to turn them - as will often happen if a valve hasn't been used for some time, and is stiff (or even completely seized). The simple cure (preferably pre-emptive) is remove each knob, and make it into a hard, solid lump by filling the void with resin. After that, the knob is virtually bomb-proof (even for the most ham-fisted of us who don't recognise a seized valve when they feel one). However, some of my split knobs - although now repaired - are rather tatty. While I could tart them up with resin, paint them, and make them look like new, there's little point in doing this if I can get some suitable replacements. I can't believe that it's so difficult (if not impossible) to find a supplier. Surely I can't be the only one whose radiator valve knobs are broken or missing? -- Ian Well you should be thinking about getting thermostatic valves. They are not perfect but better than nothing. Stuff is not made to fix these days. 40 year old valves will long have been superceded by a cheaper and nastier design. |
#12
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Dec 2, 9:49*am, Ian Jackson
wrote: In message , The Medway Handyman writes On 02/12/2012 08:55, Ian Jackson wrote: In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. The square ones are rare, most have a rectangular fitting maybe 2mm x 6mm? Yes, you may be right (presumably like this one). http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/product.p...d=30956&utm_so urce=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=froogle&g clid=CKHX1Ia3-7MCFebLtA odTWgAqw I'd assumed that 1/4" was the standard. Also, I'm beginning to wonder if 'cap' is the correct name for what ordinary mortals would call a 'knob'. I would have thought that a cap went at the other end of the radiator from the end where the knob was - but I see that some so-called 'caps' appear to be meant to be turned (and not just cover the end of the spindle). What is correct? -- Ian The valve with the cap is a lockshield valve intended to balance the system only not for general use. |
#13
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message
, harry writes The valve with the cap is a lockshield valve intended to balance the system only not for general use. I know. I want the knobs for the valve at t'other end of the radiator. However, some of the website pictures of caps look as if they could multitask as knobs. As my 1/4"square spindles would appear to be old hat, I'll probably have to resign myself to refurbishing the existing knobs. No great problem, but I'm amazed at the non-availability of such mundane items. -- Ian |
#14
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
"harry" wrote in message ... On Dec 2, 8:55 am, Ian Jackson wrote: In message , harry writes On Dec 1, 9:00 pm, Ian Jackson wrote: I'm having great difficulty in finding anywhere that sells bog standard knobs for bog standard radiator valves. Caps/tops - loads of them, but of knobs there is no sign. Surely you don't have to buy a complete valve in order to get a knob? Can anyone advise? -- Ian You'll probably have to make/modify one. As many are imported, they are all different nowadays. You will be lucky to find an identical valve to the one you've got even to buy the whole thing. I pretty sure that an 'ordinary' radiator valve is (or used to be) pretty well standard, with a 1/4" square spindle. I think that most 'ordinary' knobs will fit. My CH system is around 40 years old. The plastic radiator knobs are hollow, and like many plastic mouldings, seem to be purposely designed to break or split if extra force is needed to turn them - as will often happen if a valve hasn't been used for some time, and is stiff (or even completely seized). The simple cure (preferably pre-emptive) is remove each knob, and make it into a hard, solid lump by filling the void with resin. After that, the knob is virtually bomb-proof (even for the most ham-fisted of us who don't recognise a seized valve when they feel one). However, some of my split knobs - although now repaired - are rather tatty. While I could tart them up with resin, paint them, and make them look like new, there's little point in doing this if I can get some suitable replacements. I can't believe that it's so difficult (if not impossible) to find a supplier. Surely I can't be the only one whose radiator valve knobs are broken or missing? -- Ian Well you should be thinking about getting thermostatic valves. They are not perfect but better than nothing. Stuff is not made to fix these days. 40 year old valves will long have been superceded by a cheaper and nastier design. It this what you're looking for http://www.radiatorcaps.org.uk/shop/...EE&shop_param= |
#15
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message
, harry writes Well you should be thinking about getting thermostatic valves. They are not perfect but better than nothing. I do have one (in an extension containing a toilet and shower). It seems to work OK. As for the others, the system seems satisfactory as it is. It's a case of 'if it ain't broke' etc. Stuff is not made to fix these days. Replacing tatty radiator knobs hardly counts as 'fixing'. It should be a two-minute job. 40 year old valves will long have been superceded by a cheaper and nastier design. Apart from occasionally checking that they haven't seized, and aren't weeping (which a bit of re-packing with hemp garden string fixes), the valves are probably just as good as the day they were made. All they could do with is a few new knobs! Maybe Santa Claus knows where to get some? -- Ian |
#16
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message , Wesley
writes It this what you're looking for http://www.radiatorcaps.org.uk/shop/...B5zn0owADeqMXk kARlPi1lDSFJ6lMI0QZw7e2vjrqdXPvD0UVXm3viEE&shop_p aram= Ummmmmm.... Thanks for the info. That was one of the sites I saw a reference to yesterday. I was trying to find it but, for some reason, it didn't come up. I have to admit that I'm a little confused between the differences between 'Lockshield' and 'Wheelhead'. Do these terms refer to two different types of valves - or is it just their function? I'm pretty sure that my valves are both the exactly same, with one being used essentially as a day-to-day, manually adjustable 'on-off' valve, and the other being permanently set so as to limit the maximum flow of water. With the latter, the cap is just a dome which just sits on top of the spindle, and doesn't engage the square part. It if you slightly slacken the screw which holds it on, it simply rotates, and doesn't turn the spindle. Any adjustments must be made with a 1/4" spanner on the spindle, before the cap is fitted. The instructions for the Radcaps caps are a bit strange, but reading between the lines, it would seem that the only difference between the ends of the radiator is that you don't use the screw and allen key on the Lockshield end. I wonder what keeps the cap at the Lockshield end on? I also note that the cap has a 8mm x 5mm slot. I suppose that this might be OK for a 1/4" square spindle - although it would be gripped only on the two opposing 5mm sides - and as 5mm = only 0.196", it would certainly be a pretty firm grip (possibly guaranteed to crack hard plastic). To be honest, I'm simply not sure about these caps. -- Ian |
#17
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
En el artículo , Ian Jackson
escribió: which isn't what I want. I want a knob (about a dozen), like the one on this valve: My local independent DIY store does them, so they can't be that rare. -- (\_/) (='.'=) (")_(") |
#18
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Sun, 2 Dec 2012 17:44:39 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote: snip The instructions for the Radcaps caps are a bit strange, agreed I also note that the cap has a 8mm x 5mm slot. I suppose that this might be OK for a 1/4" square spindle - although it would be gripped only on the two opposing 5mm sides - and as 5mm = only 0.196", it would certainly be a pretty firm grip (possibly guaranteed to crack hard plastic). These show "assorted spindle drivers" but are dearer than complete valves. http://www.inest.co.uk/products/Orac...ator_Cap.a sp |
#19
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
In message , Geo
writes On Sun, 2 Dec 2012 17:44:39 +0000, Ian Jackson wrote: snip The instructions for the Radcaps caps are a bit strange, agreed I also note that the cap has a 8mm x 5mm slot. I suppose that this might be OK for a 1/4" square spindle - although it would be gripped only on the two opposing 5mm sides - and as 5mm = only 0.196", it would certainly be a pretty firm grip (possibly guaranteed to crack hard plastic). These show "assorted spindle drivers" but are dearer than complete valves. http://www.inest.co.uk/products/Orac...placement_Radi ator_Cap.asp Dearer indeed. You can nearly get a new radiator for what they are charging! Thanks to all for the advice and information, but it looks like I've got myself a nice, gentle Christmas project, repairing and tarting up the old knobs one by one. -- Ian |
#20
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On Monday, December 3, 2012 at 10:20:26 PM UTC, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , Geo writes On Sun, 2 Dec 2012 17:44:39 +0000, Ian Jackson wrote: snip The instructions for the Radcaps caps are a bit strange, agreed I also note that the cap has a 8mm x 5mm slot. I suppose that this might be OK for a 1/4" square spindle - although it would be gripped only on the two opposing 5mm sides - and as 5mm = only 0.196", it would certainly be a pretty firm grip (possibly guaranteed to crack hard plastic). These show "assorted spindle drivers" but are dearer than complete valves. http://www.inest.co.uk/products/Orac...placement_Radi ator_Cap.asp Dearer indeed. You can nearly get a new radiator for what they are charging! Thanks to all for the advice and information, but it looks like I've got myself a nice, gentle Christmas project, repairing and tarting up the old knobs one by one. -- Ian I know what you mean. How can it be so difficult to find these things? |
#22
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
For the record Wheelhead and Lockshield have identical valves, normally have different caps (Wheelhead designed to turn, Lockshield design not to).
The Wheelhead valve is the one on the pipe that gets hot first when you turn the system on. Replacement caps do seem to be exorbitantly expensive. |
#23
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On 05/11/2017 16:40, Phil wrote:
The Wheelhead valve is the one on the pipe that gets hot first when you turn the system on. That is not always the case. -- Mike Clarke |
#24
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
Mike Clarke wrote in
news On 05/11/2017 16:40, Phil wrote: The Wheelhead valve is the one on the pipe that gets hot first when you turn the system on. That is not always the case. Should be - perhaps the knobs have been wrongly fitted. Lockshield adjustment should be on the return. |
#25
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
On 06/11/2017 09:43, DerbyBorn wrote:
Should be - perhaps the knobs have been wrongly fitted. Lockshield adjustment should be on the return. Is there any reason other than that it's the conventional way? -- Mike Clarke |
#26
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Where to get replacement central heating radiator valve knobs?
DerbyBorn wrote:
Lockshield adjustment should be on the return. That's the usual way, but does the water care? Even some TRVs allow "reverse" flow, though they might be a bit noisier that way. |
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