How to hold a bath tap still

[JohnD]

...while I unscrew the headworks.

I have some Stilsons but they don't grip well once I have protected the chrome with a rag

sadly access to underneath is very awkward as the bath has been boxed in and blocked with a pipe duct, all painted over.

 

[bengasman]

2 bits of ally, in the same way you use them to hold something in a vice.

 

[JohnD]

you mean in the stilson jaws?

 

[gaspro1981]

a decent pair of adjustsables placed on the tap spout

 

[holty]

plenty of tape on the spout but something that wont leave the glue on.

 

[bengasman]

you mean in the stilson jaws?

I can see why you are puzzled, I use huge waterpump pliers for that. But yes, just to stop the steel gripping directly on the chrome/brass, stick some ally between the 2 surfaces.

 

[Deleted member 105431]

boa strap wrench does the trick for me


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Misc-Boa-Constrictor-Strap-Wrench/dp/B0001P0EUA

 

[namsag]

Yeah but davey what do you use to hold the tap firm

 

[JohnD]

boa strap wrench

that's a good idea. I should think you could use it on an immersion heater boss as well to reduce risk of crumpling.

 

[Legion]

while I unscrew the headworks.

Someone else

 

[Goldberg]

boa strap wrench

that's a good idea. I should think you could use it on an immersion heater boss as well to reduce risk of crumpling.

The idea of using a rubber strap wrench either on stubborn tap headwork or a stuck immersion heater boss is preposterous.

To remove tap headwork, if your hands aren't strong enough, use an adjustable wrench on the spout to apply an equal and opposite force.

To remove, or tighten, an immersion heater, use the correctly-sized immersion heater wrench, and, if necessary, a hammer.

 

[Legion]

The idea of using a rubber strap wrench either on stubborn tap headwork or a stuck immersion heater boss is preposterous.

Then:

To remove, or tighten, an immersion heater, use the correctly-sized immersion heater wrench, and, if necessary, a hammer.

Classic.

Most of us `professionals` would use blowlamp to warm the threads.

 

[Goldberg]

Most of us `professionals` would use blowlamp to warm the threads.

Indeed so. The destructive trail of you blowlamp-happy numpties is in every new build, and in most other properties.

 

[Legion]

Most of us `professionals` would use blowlamp to warm the threads.

Indeed so. The destructive trail of you blowlamp-happy numpties is in every new build, and in most other properties.

You stick with your hammer mate. If all else fails tw*at it.

 

[Goldberg]

The correctly-sized wrench is usually enough, so a hammer is rarely necessary, but when it is it's for tapping the wrench, not tw*tting at anything.

Meanwhile, you haven't offered any solution to the original question.