Help needed

[Wolfhe72]

Good morning all

I'm quite terrible at DIY projects but i've got a bit of an issue which i'm hoping you can assist with.

I have a bath with stainless steel handles which were going rusty, the plan was to remove rust and fix with steel weld but.... on Friday evening the handle broke clean off. so not i'm left with 2 sharp pieces of stainless steel sticking up. My plan initially was to get an hacksaw and level off the bits left over and then use the steel weld stuff, but the hacksaw i used was terrible i would probably have had more success with a spoon i reckon.

What solutions would be best, i've been advised to use an angle grinder but never used one before and a little worried about using one as also been told that it may damage the bath itself. I can't get to where handles were to try and unbolt as it's on the wall side (typically)... the bits sticking up about an inch in height so filing down is out of the question too. Any ideas what kind of saw could possibly remove these bits, replacing the bath would be quite a costly exercise so that is certainly my last resort.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[accelerator]

What is the bath made out of?

It might be worth giving a hacksaw another go, using a new blade with at least 24–32 teeth per inch, as a high TPI will cut through tough stainless steel better.

An angle grinder would generate heat and sparks, so this does risk damaging an acrylic or fibreglass bath.

 

[Wolfhe72]

Morning accelerator

I believe the bath is made of plastic and yeah i thought the sparks would be a concern too, brilliant thank you for the rest regarding the blade. I'll head to B & Q at lunch and see what options they have available.

Thank you so much for your response

 

[mattylad]

Can you post some photo's?
Says a lot more than words do.

 

[mattylad]

Also are you sure the handles are stainless steel and not chrome plated?
Is it a B&Q bath? If so got a link to it?

 

[Wolfhe72]

Morning Mattylad

Please find attached images

Sorry i don't have a zoomed in version of the bits left behind

 

[thomp1983]

A dremel or other brand rotary tool with a cutting disc would be my choice for that.

If you remove the bath side panel how much room is there between the floor and bath base? If you can get an arm under then using some ingenuity and socket extensions you can probably get a tool up there to refit a new handle

 

[Wolfhe72]

unfortunately with it being against the wall i can't get to where they connect, would the Dremel not cause sparks hence damaging the bath itself?

 

[Wolfhe72]

Also are you sure the handles are stainless steel and not chrome plated?
Is it a B&Q bath? If so got a link to it?

Sorry Matty only just seen this message, i'm guessing they are stainless steel but i did feel that the hacksaw didn't make a dent on them.... its a very old bath as you will see by the images it's probably 30-35 years old

 

[accelerator]

Doesn't look an easy job. We don't have a particularly good view of the old handle left in place, but I'm thinking drilling down through it with a suitable metal drill bit might also be a possible approach.

Are you intending to replace the handle?

 

[Wolfhe72]

i'll be honest accelerator i'd be happy to continue without an handle being there... i just really need to make it safe, i thought if i could level it off and then put some of the steel putty stuff on it, it will make it considerably better

 

[jj4091]

Can't tell from the pic but the right hand fixing looks as though it has a sqare boss. Could you try with a spanner or grips and see if you can turn to loosen it or shear it off.

 

[thomp1983]

Any sparks can be dealt with by putting an old sheet or curtain in the bath and then use masking tape or similar in several layers around the area your cutting, the sparks loose their heat in seconds or less so it's not really a big worry, using a grinder for a 'delicate' job for your first is a bigger risk to you, that's why I suggested a dremel, it'll take longer but is easier to control

 

[Wolfhe72]

I'll give this a go this evening before using the Dremel which I've just purchased.

 

[mattylad]

Now I can see the pictures, yeah thats gonna be a bitch of a job to do given it's against the wall.

Clean it off, fill/cap the holes and put a handle on the wall, there are plenty available for under £20 that will do the job well.
I got mine from the mobility shop, but Amazon has them too.

Some white putty/hardening like material should suffice but it's something you will need to keep an eye on in case it leaks.
I'd try some for of white caps that can be siliconed into the holes.

Have a look at the underside of the other handle, also consider removing that as it may also be on it's way out.