Changing a tap washer

[TuxRacer]

Nothing's ever easy!

This is as far as I've got:



On the far side my spanner's rounding off the brass fitting, on the near side I think the screwdriver's destroyed the crosshead top of the screw. How do I get the bds off?

Bonus points if I can make use of what's available in the house without going out to buy a blowtorch or something...

[Gingerbread Man]

First thoughts for the stuck cartridge,

Box Spanner



Mole grips



Non adjustable spanner/ ring spanner



To undo the screw...are you using the correct size screw driver? If so, does a flat blade fit the head, or just Philips?

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Saturday 7th August 13:40

[freecar]

The screw, is it pozi or philips? (pozi has a square section, philips has a tapered one) and are you using the applicable screwdriver?

[TuxRacer]

The screw fitting's tapered, but squared off before tapering to a point. The screwdriver I'm using seems to be a good fit on the one that came out of the other side.

I'll take a trip to B&Q in the morning in search of a box spanner.

ETA: Not sure I could get any of the flat heads I've got in there, it's quite small.

Edited by TuxRacer on Saturday 7th August 15:33

[Gingerbread Man]

TuxRacer said:

The screw fitting's tapered, but squared off before tapering to a point. The screwdriver I'm using seems to be a good fit on the one that came out of the other side.

I'll take a trip to B&Q in the morning in search of a box spanner.

ETA: Not sure I could get any of the flat heads I've got in there, it's quite small.

Edited by TuxRacer on Saturday 7th August 15:33

Small sparky's screwdriver?

[Ricky_M]

The screws are sometimes flat and posi drive. If not a small flathead will suffice. As for removing the cartride, you can either file the edges flat and try again or your best bet would be some water pump pliers, brute force and ignorance!

If you can get a decent purchase with a spanner, give it a tap with a hammer to shock it free. Oh yeh, be careful, brass splinters are a bh!

[Deva Link]

TuxRacer said:

On the far side my spanner's rounding off the brass fitting,

It's not threaded the other way, is it?

[TuxRacer]

Wouldn't surprise me now if it was threaded the other way. I bought a small flathead screwdriver and it just spins in the hole at the top of the screw now. Tried smashing the end of it with a hammer in the hope it would get some purchase but I think the screw's made of chocolate.

Closest thing B&Q had to a box spanner was a flat piece of metal with hex notches in it - the size I need is right in the middle which means it can't reach the tap between the wall and the sink.

[Gingerbread Man]

Ring spanner from halfords or box spanner from a plumbers merchants.

[TuxRacer]

Gingerbread Man said:

Ring spanner from halfords

Oh, because it's compatible with the socket set you'd use on a car?

I may have a suitable tool or two in that case.



Well, that's one side done in no time at all! Just the screwed screw left.

[cjs]

If the screw is rounded then you could try drilling the head off, just use an appropriate size drill that is sharp!

[Ricky_M]

I've managed to remove the head without taking the handle off. If you unscrew the shroud and lift it, you may be able to get a thin spanner around the head and undo it.

[Gingerbread Man]

If you haven't done it by now, get new taps!

[BliarOut]

Judicious use of an impact driver should remove the screw and a pair of Stillsons if you've butchered the cartridge.