Radiator Plumbing

[LynnLegend]

Hi all,

While trying to fit a radiator I have managed to round off the flipping brass bit which sits beneath the valve cover. I have tried grinding it to give it a new edge but my tools just seem to shred it. I wasn't even aware that I'd overtightened it.

Any advice would be great fully received. I really don't want to fit a new valve. 

Thanks,

Sam.

[duTch]

 what model ?? Plunger/ S/A ..do you have a part # ?? 





                

[Butch (cb)]

If you have just been fitting the rad then I guess you can be sure it is in the closed position. Only asking because if you leave them wide open against the stop then they jam up hard that way. On opening once I hit the stop I then close a half turn.

I had one do that and managed to free it using a whole lot of heat on it and the applying a Mole Wrench on the rounded square very tightly. (What is the generic word for a Mole Wrench?)

[LynnLegend]

Well done Dutch you've put a smile on my otherwise grumpy pi55ed off face!

Butch - yes it's definitely closed, I would go as far to say it's extremely closed. Next time I will make sure it's not quite so tightly closed, although as I said, I didn't think I'd overdone it.

My tool set doesn't yet have a blow torch, so that might be a necessary addition.

[duTch]

 haha- yeah well yesterday I had to go buy a replacement 'mappgas/hotwhatzit'  torch, couldn't figure it out so sat with a  and read the instructions...ffs .things never used to be that complicated...

[Greybeard]

...if you leave them wide open against the stop then they jam up hard that way. On opening once I hit the stop I then close a half turn.

Ditto here.

You might try loosening the gland nut a tad.

If draining the sytem to change the valve is not practical I've used a pipe freezing kit, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrPwz6NQbGc) with success a couple of times. Obviously need to work with a cold system so may not be practical in this weather.
What about a small Stilson, (pipe wrench); it will mark the shaft but that may not matter much.

[bsa-bill]

(What is the generic word for a Mole Wrench?)

Often wrongly called  Vice grips, in fact made by Vise so Vise grips

[morris]

 haha- yeah well yesterday I had to go buy a replacement 'mappgas/hotwhatzit'  torch, couldn't figure it out so sat with a  and read the instructions...ffs .things never used to be that complicated...

Most useful instruction is "Attention! Tool may get hot!"  Keep forgetting that...

@ LynnLegend; maybe filing two parallel flats with a small file to fit a small spanner?

[RoyC]

(What is the generic word for a Mole Wrench?)

Often wrongly called  Vice grips, in fact made by Vise so Vise grips

I've always called them mole grips.

[Greybeard]

(What is the generic word for a Mole Wrench?)

Often wrongly called  Vice grips, in fact made by Vise so Vise grips

I've always called them mole grips.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_pliers

https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/machines_12.html

[bsa-bill]

on the second link re Peterson, any body know if there is any connection to the Peter engine, 0r is this a stretch to far

[A10 JWO]

My old trade, 7" or 9 " pipe grips will grip anything I have had them since 1970, made by footprint. New valves are only £5 a pair last time I looked. Just ask if you need anything else. You may need a tail allen key to get the old tail out.

[bsa-bill]

made by footprint.

Like many things toolwise - often copied seldom bettered

[LynnLegend]

Thanks all for your suggestions and comments.

Think I will have a go with a pipe wrench first, failing that, ice pack and change the valves. I will buy a footprint wrench, based on your recommendation.

Wish me luck!

Sam.

[Rex]

on the second link re Peterson, any body know if there is any connection to the Peter engine, 0r is this a stretch to far

You mean Petter?
There's no rad valve on earth that will withstand a pair of Stillsons especially as all you'll need to do is to crack it to get it moving. Adjust roughly where you want it and then sit back and wait for summer when you can replace it at your leisure.