Advice - Difficult Access Sockets for 1/2" and 3/4" tap nuts?

[bilabonic]

Hi All

Looking to replace taps on a cast iron bath, accessing them is near impossible (i even had to remove toilet). The taps are old lifter type with brass 3/4" nuts that seem welded on! The basin is much the same tbh.

I have a tap remover set like this and after 10 mins of finally getting it on the nut it will not budge as i can not apply enough pressure (doing it 'blind' with my arm fully extended/no 'purchase') to release the nut and i presume it will be like this for the whole length of the tap thread.


I then came across this set that i thin would do it but i do not need the wrench/bars etc, just the ends as i have a few good quality socket sets.

Todays Tools Professional Tap Back Nut and 15mm - 22mm Spanner Set for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Todays Tools Professional Tap Back Nut and 15mm - 22mm Spanner Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

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So i searched just for the 1/2" and 3/4" ends but could not find them, but i did come find this Difficult Access Sockets 3/8 + 1/2" Drive 10mm - 19mm

I presume 1/2" will just be 13mm and 3/4" will be 19mm, BUT i think the nuts are bigger tbh....as how can a 22mm pipe (bath feed) have a 19mm size nut on the tap?

US PRO Tools Difficult Access Sockets 3/8 + 1/2" Drive 10mm - 19mm 5558 | eBay

2 x 1/2" Drive Slotted Sockets: 17 and 19mm. These sockets allows access to difficult components such as wired sensor units (eg. Thermo Switches, Temperature Sensors), pipe connectors, ABS pipes, master cylinder pipes, diesel injection pipes etc.

www.ebay.co.uk

Can anyone advise please as to what size the nuts retaining both 13mm and 22mm taps are?

If not i think i have no choice than to order the full set.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Good luck as I’ve had to use an 18” stilson before to remove some can you try putting some heat on the nut ?

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Might be paint and puttied on, extremely difficult to remove

 

[bilabonic]

Yes, i can just about see the thread with a torch, thread covered in putty but if i could get a car ratchet socket spanner on it i should be able to remove it, i just don't need the full set with wrench/extension bars etc

cheers

 

[Basher]

Try "crows foot wrench" (or "crowfoot") if searching for just the ends. Still leaves you with the issue of what size across flats i'm afraid

 

[bilabonic]

Wow never seen them before, great idea (much like my palm wrench i use in vehicles).

Yes the question is what size are the actual retaining nuts, been googling and can't seem to find the size's.

But i think they are 27mm for 1/2" and 32mm for 3/4"?

So my original idea would not work. Crazy that nobody sells them to fit a ratchet bar.

Cheers

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Very deep socket depending on your collection

 

[Basher]

So my original idea would not work. Crazy that nobody sells them to fit a ratchet bar.

Cheers

you can get them, including flexible type, to fit a socket bar. I didn't mean a set, just individual ones for the job.
But on second thoughts they look just as expensive

 

[bilabonic]

@ShaunCorbs
I don't think there's a long socket that deep mate.

@Basher
Stupid prices, that's why i posted, rather cut tap from above with grinder/slicing disc tbh.

I can reach in then, cut pipe and fit a flexi and 3/4"/22mm pipe.

I though stuff it i'll take bath out after i removed the toilet to barely get my had to it....

It's must be 50 years old, the cast iron legs are massive, compared to the new plastic Rubbish it's unreal, i could not make it move 1mm...lol

 

[Basher]

must be 50 years old, the cast iron legs are massive, compared to the new plastic Rubbish it's unreal, i could not make it move 1mm...lol

Extracted one recently. Don't know how they ever got it into the room - it certainly wouldn't fit through the door. A bit of effort, ear defenders, a sledgehammer, and trip to the tip .
Lived up to my name for once