Fitting a bath waste : Turning the big screw

DaveyH · 15 Nov 2014

Hi,

Some bath wastes have a big nut that you turn and tighten underneath the bath, and some bath wastes have a big screw that you turn and tighten above the bath.

Mine is the big screw variety. Here is the screw.

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DaveyH
15 Nov 2014
1

Here is the screw next to the waste

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DaveyH
15 Nov 2014
1

In an ideal world I would be able to go into a tool shop and buy a 16mm (5/8 inch) slotted screw driver and do a proper job. However this isn't an ideal world because 16mm (5/8 inch) slotted screw drivers don't appear to exist.

The only idea I've had, is to use a one penny piece (2p's and 5p's are too fat).

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DaveyH
15 Nov 2014
1

So how do you fellas tighten these things up?

PS. I know I need to use a bead of silicone or plumbers mate between the bath and the waste. I just want to keep this topic related to techniques for tightening big screws with tools that don't appear to exist.

Thanks in advance.

HERTS P&D · 15 Nov 2014

20 pence piece and a pair of grips.

Andy

ALCPlumbing · 15 Nov 2014

I use a chisel. But usually just a decent sized flat head in just one of the slots as it won't reach all the way across will still get enough turning force to tighten it.

rsgaz · 15 Nov 2014

A 4 way utility/cabinet key like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400504869017

Just measured mine and it's approx 14mm across and the tabs/fins are 2mm thick. The shaft is 9mm diameter. They might fit.

Gaz

DaveyH · 15 Nov 2014

rsgaz said:
A 4 way utility/cabinet key like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400504869017

Just measured mine and it's approx 14mm across and the tabs/fins are 2mm thick. The shaft is 9mm diameter. They might fit.

Gaz

The prize for best out of the box thinking so far so goes to rsgaz

They sell them in Toolstation as well.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Plumbers+Tools/sd210/Service+Cabinet+Key+/p18822

I will get one and report back if it's a goer or not.

I still find it hard to believe that components like this can be manufactured without any thought whatsoever of how the things are suppossed to be tightened up correctly here in the real world.

longdogs · 15 Nov 2014

Chisel or a small metal T square/ruler or similar

DaveyH · 15 Nov 2014

I read on another forum, that somebody resorted to using an old dinner eating knife which he cut the end off (with an angle grinder) where it was 16mm wide.

longdogs · 15 Nov 2014

DaveyH said:
rsgaz said:

A 4 way utility/cabinet key like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400504869017

Just measured mine and it's approx 14mm across and the tabs/fins are 2mm thick. The shaft is 9mm diameter. They might fit.

Gaz

Click to expand...

The prize for best out of the box thinking so far so goes to rsgaz

They sell them in Toolstation as well.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Plumbers+Tools/sd210/Service+Cabinet+Key+/p18822

I will get one and report back if it's a goer or not.

I still find it hard to believe that components like this can be manufactured without any thought whatsoever of how the things are suppossed to be tightened up correctly here in the real world.

Welcome to the world of plumbing

footprints · 15 Nov 2014

I use big Penny washer and a pair of grips.

http://www.screwfix.com/search?search=penny+washer

stardanny · 15 Nov 2014

I made a large screwdriver out of old wood chisel.

Daniel.

DaveyH · 19 Nov 2014

rsgaz said:
A 4 way utility/cabinet key like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400504869017

Just measured mine and it's approx 14mm across and the tabs/fins are 2mm thick. The shaft is 9mm diameter. They might fit.

Gaz

I took my bath waste screw into Toolstation today and tried one of those 4 way cabinet keys on it.

Sadly it was no good. The round bit is too big to fit inside the hole on the screw and the 2 flat bits were also too thick it fit into the groves on the screw.

So I will probably go down the penny washer and grips route.

Elkato531 · 19 Nov 2014

Like many others I've always used a coin out of my pocket. I then leave it behind in case the customer ever needs to use it. And I add a fiver to the bill for the specialist waste installation tool.

Richardthe3rd · 20 Nov 2014

I've always just used a large slotted screwdriver. The big one I use for brass WC screws.

I don't think rsGaz's cabinet key will fit most gratings, just too big!!

DaveyH · 21 Nov 2014

Richardthe3rd said:
I've always just used a large slotted screwdriver.

What size is it and where did you buy it from? I've googled and googled and I can't find anything over 13mm (1/2 inch). A 16mm (5/8 inch) would be perfect for this job.

Richardthe3rd · 21 Nov 2014

DaveyH said:
Richardthe3rd said:

I've always just used a large slotted screwdriver.

Click to expand...

What size is it and where did you buy it from? I've googled and googled and I can't find anything over 13mm (1/2 inch). A 16mm (5/8 inch) would be perfect for this job.

A 13mm tip screwdriver will screw that up, it's only a bath grating!!

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Fitting a bath waste : Turning the big screw

longdogs

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