Tap washer

[jase158]

Very simple thing but keeps catching me out.

I went to a job today and the washer had gone, leaving a dripping tap.

simples!

But when going to put the washer in, it didnt fit.

These are the head gear which has a sort of cup for the washer to go in and a screw to tighten up.

I managed to get it sorted but am now wondering why my "tap washers" don't fit.

is it...

1. because I got them from screw fix (although have bought from other places)
2. because they are made larger and you are suppose to trim them a little, if so how do you trim them to make them round rather then hexagonal
3. Because I am missing something else

 

[WaterTight]

was it 1/2"? maybe a 3/8" would have fitted better

 

[jase158]

Thank you, anybody know where to get large packs of these?

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

probalably because tap washers in taps come in 17,322 different sizes (yes i counted each one)

 

[Guest123]

Buy a washer kit from Tool Station. It has a large variety of tap washers in different sizes and thicknesses and comes in a neat yellow case. At the very least you'll also have a supply of washers to use with screws.

 

[jase158]

problem with the kits is you always need the one that aint there.

I'd rather spend a little bit more and have a load of each and every one I need

 

[WaterTight]

if you buy a kit then just top up the ones that get low when you're in your merchant

 

[jase158]

I see what you mean but I needed 5 x 3/8" washers today, so my way of doing it is when I need something I top up with loads of them, then I wont run out again for a long time.

Means I don't end up with loads of bits that i will never use and if I am in a remote village which has no shops, I don't need to travel 10 miles to go and get a washer.

 

[jase158]

I did buy a kit a little while ago and I have only used about 10% of them, the rest I have used as screw washers.

 

[Guest123]

I also use a tap reseating tool when changing a washer. Saves on call backs later and not had one yet since I started doing this.