Where to find a smaller radiator bleed key

[dominoman]

I have an oldish radiator with two panels, each of which has a bleed valve.

The valve is slightly smaller than my bleed keys. I actually ended up buying 3 different makes of key, as I know they can vary a little, but all of them are too big.

Where can I get a smaller key?

The valve pictured I was able to get off with pliers, but the other one is facing backwards towards the wall so the only way to get to it with pliers would be to lift the radiator. And with cream carpets I don't want to do that...

Untitled

• dominoman
• 11 Nov 2014
• 1

 

[kidgreen61]

It sounds as though the bleed screw has been abused in the past and may have been partially rounded off.

One thing you can try is to buy a decent brass key and file/ grind a couple of mm off the end of the key in the hope it will bite on the screw.

Having got the screw out, replace with a good one.

Failing that, rad off wall.

 

[JohnD]

your photo is not very clear

is the bleed screw recessed into a square or hexagonal hole, or is there a hexagon (like a nut) round it?

 

[oph]

your photo is not very clear

is the bleed screw recessed into a square or hexagonal hole, or is there a hexagon (like a nut) round it?

john, it will be a round hole its in 😆

 

[Whitespirit66]

Some keys don't seem to want to fit into the hole where the valve is. I find that the draper keys fit in holes that some brass ones don't. (Ooh missus ) Failing that, as said - get busy with your file.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-08615-Radiator-Bleed-Key-Tool-x2-/131320779622

 

[longdogs]

I once had this problem and tried several new keys before realising that my original key which I had been using for some time was actually worn inside. Just a thought.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

http://www.easibleed.co.uk cheaper than a new rad if you can't undo that one.