The situation is this:
I need a knob cos mine's missing. Its for a radiator valve (lockshield, not trv). Now, I need as big a one as can fit cos the shaft on the rad's as stiff as hell.
Now... no way in hell can I go into a plumber's merchant and say that to the bloke behind the counter. How can I put this without being seriously misunderstood?
NT with knob missing
:)
Radiator valve handle?
IME experience of these things, if you go to a PM and say you need a new knob, they'll do their best for you, the have a good laugh after. Then you'll be 'known' there and get better service from then on....
If it's a lockshield then surely you'll adjust it with a spanner, and then fit a cover which doesn't engage with the shaft rather than a normal knob?
That's the current situation, and its quite unsatisfactory. I'm not going to say I need a knob :/
NT
Maybe. I suspect they'd think I'm after something else. :/
NT
The lockshield valve is the one only used for balancing the system and has no knob, just a cover . So you could probably find some plasticobject and make your own.
If it's the operating knob and it's stiff, it wants fixing or your new knob will likely split or break off. Probably why it's missing in the first place. Why not fit a TRV?
Coarse and non-PC jokes are day to day norm in these places. Only wuzzers need to worry about such things.
Um, why is it unsatisfactory? It's not like you adjust lock shield valves regularly. Also, have you tried simple things like loosening the gland nut and lubricating the shaft (oo-er!)?
Tim
If determined - check if it is a square or two flats. I have a mix of both
- and different sizes. Some I can turn with a bleed valve key.
Is this one of those quarter inch spindles with a slot in it? Id have thought these were pretty standard. Brian
Take a piccy on yer smartfone .. that being worth a thousand words;)...
Then say "I need a bigger knob".
Years ago I picked up a packet of universal replacement ones from a B&Q bargin bin. Instead of a fixed sized hole in the cap there was a starlock type arrangement to grasp whatever (although it looked fierce enough that it wasn't going to come off in a hurry.)
Aren't they officially still called "wheel-heads"?
Na, he needs to ask the merchant if he has a large knob, and request to handle it!
or to see the biggest knob they've got there? Er.... no!
NT
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