Name that tool

[jaydebruyne]

I had to change a 3/4 inch rad valve today and the tail had 2 grooves instead of a hex key.

Is there a specific tool for these tails as I had to borrow another guys makeshift tool to get it out

Cheers

 

[dancinplumba]

Use a pair of stilis or grips on end

 

[Chalked]

I know what you mean. It had a hexagon to put a spanner on, then stepped down on both sides go the different sizes.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Use a pair of stilis or grips on end

Need to get some stillsons... Grips wouldn't have worked as not enough of tail to grip on

 

[Chalked]

Like this?

 

[SimonG]

Or leave the valve on the tail and then stick spanner on tail nut and unscrew tail.

 

[Best]

Yea, sometimes if the old valve is to be dumped, then you could try making sure the valve body is tightened very tight up to its tail and then put a spanner on to the tail nut to remove tail, but also grips, Footprints or Stillsons on the body tightening the opposite way to keep it all in place. Good luck if it's on with Flax.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Like this?

That's the one.. What's it called chalked?

 

[solutions]

Isn't that style referred to as dog drive or is that the lungs on comp tank connectors. I'm pretty sure today's tools / monument do tools for both.

 

[Best]

http://www.todaystools.co.uk/
I have the ratchet & tool. It is called a multi sized radiator valve tail key. Try here for it.

 

[bright spark]

Apologies for spelling by I think it's called a mandrill

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Loads of places sell them, had one for years, only problem is sometimes it's to big!

 

[plumben]

My rad spanner has the two slots for them

 

[stevetheplumber]

spud key is what ive always heard them called

 

[Dotty]

Loads of places sell them, had one for years, only problem is sometimes it's to big!

I got one, brilliant, love it.

Rothenberger Uni Spanner | Pipe Fitting Tools | NoLinkingToThis

 

[AMW]

I got one, brilliant, love it.

Rothenberger Uni Spanner | Pipe Fitting Tools | NoLinkingToThis

Thats what I've got, always called it the 'rachety thing' lol

 

[ah 1]

don't know one remember the crane key. who was made by crane the valve/iron fitting manufacturers that's the one you need. aint used one for years thow ha ha you could do all the large radtails upto 11/2 ontth old hospital patternrads I aint that old either to have used them

 

[Neil K]

Spend my life changing rad valves, it's an essential piece of kit for me. Cost about £30 though I think, I didnt pay for mine, work did

 

[SteveW]

BES do one, its a large allen key with the grooves cut in for the lugs, only a couple of quid.

 

[Neil K]

BES do one, its a large allen key with the grooves cut in for the lugs, only a couple of quid.

They're no good, might get one or two jobs out of them. The "rachety thing" (yes thats what I call it too!) is the best.

 

[SteveW]

Yep your right, just thought I would throw it in the pot just in case it was for a one off:smartass:

 

[plumben]

I'll definitely picking a rachety thing up then, are they all about £30 then

 

[jaydebruyne]

Loads of places sell them, had one for years, only problem is sometimes it's to big!

Where's the grooves for the lugs??

 

[jaydebruyne]

My rad spanner has the two slots for them

I need to look at my rad spanner as I think one has them, only problem is that I don't think it was big enough for the 3/4 inch tails

 

[Neil K]

It's the one in the link that Croppie put up.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Hmmm I have 3 tools on my list to buy:

1. rad key for large tails with lugs
2. Pair of footprints
3. 15mm olive cutters (the puller I have is a load of pooh)

Which do I get first... :/ I'm thinking the olive cutters

 

[Neil K]

Senior hacksaw blade I use for cutting the olives off

 

[dancinplumba]

Foot prints obv

 

[Neil K]

Just buy one tool a week or month depending on how often you get paid

 

[jaydebruyne]

Senior hacksaw blade I use for cutting the olives off

I usually use a junior but sometimes I can't get enough space to saw

 

[jaydebruyne]

Just buy one tool a week or month depending on how often you get paid

But I want them all.. nooooowwwwww haha

 

[Neil K]

You won't be long building them up trust me

 

[jaydebruyne]

You won't be long building them up trust me

I love buying tools ... Think I'm going to get the olive cutters first!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

footys, usually get them for peanuts on ebay

 

[GrahamM]

One like this? I have one but can only recall needing it once. But for couple of quid its worth having.

Center radiator allen key