nightmare job

[sm_jamieson]

My pressure balancing valve / bar mixer shower had been playing up. Changed the bar mixer. Same problem. So it must be the balancing valve. Of course, I thought it would last years, and it was under the bath amongst pipes for the shower, bath etc. Nightmare. I was working through a little door in the bath panel, with my head jammed up against the basin pedestal. I had to remove the valve and replace with pieces of pipe with compression connectors, but no way I could get two hands in to tighten the two ends against themselves or hold the body still. I managed to get them reasonably tight but was left with a little weeping (my and the connectors). Reminded me of the worst of car maintenance when you have substituted the "special tool" for a coat hanger and kitchen knife ! Plenty of fernox lsx will hopefully stop the weeping, but I hate bodges. Only way I could do a proper job though would be to take the bath out, which is NOT happening. Anyone know of a tool that can one-handed grip the body of a compression fitting whilst tightening the nuts ?? Good news - shower seems to be restored. I'll manage without the valve for now I think ! Now for a beer ! Simon.

[Tabby]

Locking pliers aka mole grips not do it?

Compression fittings onto old pipe tend to not seal IME, I like to add a smear of linseed putty between olive & pipe then it always seals. Not WRAS approved for potable water, ptfe would probably do on potable.

NT

[newshound]

Yes indeed.

These days there are many sizes of mole and mole clone, including "pointed pliers" versions.

[sm_jamieson]

They would, unfortunately the "flat" of the body was facing the wrong way and no space the other !

Thats interesting, I was using a piece of old pipe that had been removed from elsewhere, and it didn't seal as well as expected. Simon.

[Andrew Mawson]

substituted

Sounds like a job for push fit connectors - they are remarkably good these days.

AWEM

[Cicero]

============================================================================== A basin spanner with flexible head might do the job but there are several alternatives worth considering.

You can buy extra long spanners (often seen on Ebay) or you can make your own; cut off one end of a double-ended spanner and slide a piece of flattened steel tube over the cut end. On the other hand it might be a case for using a 'stubby' spanner wedged against the floor. Spanner heads can also be bent to a different angle - usually needs heat and a vice.

Since you're likely to be re-doing the job at some time in the future you could experiment with various possible options to find best access.

Cic.

[sm_jamieson]

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I really need a narrow-ended mole grip with jaws that remain parallel as they close, that I can lock on the narrow central "nut" that is cast into the compression fitting body, and wedge against something. I could then tighten both ends of the fitting with one hand without it moving anywhere. Simon.

[Jim K]

or similarly, rig up a pair of self locking mole grips to wedge against "something" permanent *or temporary* under there, so that you can get your hand to the spanner on the bit that needs turning?

Jim K

[sm_jamieson]

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Yep, I couldn't get the mole grips to fix properly, but I was using straight jawed grips that open at an angle. I've just realised I've got some curved jawed grips as well, so I can try those. The other problem is the central "nut" on the connector is quite narrow and some grips are too wide and fowl the nuts either side. Simon.

[stuart noble]

At last, a use for linseed putty :-)

[stuart noble]

Never seen a ratchet mole grip, but I've often wished for one

[Jim K]

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

mole grip both middle and one end at once - spanner on "free" one, then reverse?

;>)) conex copper pushfit very nice and at Screwfux the bits I bought were cheaper than plastic pipe versions... if you end up using em, just make sure the pipes are clean (wire wool til shiny "new") before using (you can dismount but need a special tool..=A3=A3)

Jim K

[Cicero]

==============================================================================

===============================================================================

There are several versions available at Machine Mart, but preferably look for the version which has two sections to the jaws - straight at the open end, curved at the inner. My version (Halfords, I think) is like that and the jaws are as above and about 10mm wide so easily plenty of room to use on the centre of 15mm straight couplings.

You can also buy 'slip couplings' (Screwfix, I think) which are much bigger with more spanner room. They can be slipped along a straight pipe to facilitate fitting.

Cic.

[dennis]

I think you will find you can dismount them using an adjustable spanner by sliding it along the pipe to depress the release mechanism. You could use a fixed one if its a reasonable fit on the pipe, I don't have one though.

[Jules Richardson]

Cut access panel in bath with angle grinder. Caulk back into place when done.

(sorry, but people were already handling the sensible answers ;-)

[Roger Mills]

No - the release mechanism is recessed inside the fitting, and needs the special tool to get to it.

It also needs quite a lot of force and is a two-handed job - so, if you can only get one hand in, as in the case in question, forget it!

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Jules Richardson saying something like:

If it needs doing, it's the only way.

[sm_jamieson]

Well, it was still weeping so I used a new piece of pipe and new olives. And of course it nipped up straight away and because less force was required, no difficulty tightening it enough.

There seemed to be a problem with the olives I was using before. Never come across this before, but the olives seemed to be incompatible withe the compression fittings. They were the type with a angled chamfer rather than the smoothly curved types, and almost seemed too small for the fittings. You learn something every day ;-) I'll stay away from the chamfered types in the future. Simon.