BBC tap head removal

[wonderer]

Hi, I am trying to replace the washers in a 1960's bathroom that has BBC (Barking Brassware Company) basin and matching bath taps fitted. Having difficulty in working out how to remove the tap handles that resemble a very chunky 4 pointed design. There's a small grub screw on one of the 4 sides and when tap handle is fully open a small rectangular slot can be seen on the base shroud. Also have a small plastic green or red insert at the top of the handle that would be damaged if removal attempted.
I have removed the grub screw but cannot remove the handle. Is there some other clip that needs to be depressed as or do I also have to remove the small coloured top plastic insert to reveal another screw or clip ?

 

[Ric2013]

Are these the BBC Crucible head taps? Send us a photo?

I actually happen to know an engineer who, as a child, helped his father polish the mouldings (small hands are great for this kind of slave labour 😉 ) used to cast the tap heads for the Crucible range, so if no one else can help, I can always see if I can get hold of him...

 

[wonderer]

Are these the BBC Crucible head taps? Send us a photo?

I actually happen to know an engineer who, as a child, helped his father polish the mouldings (small hands are great for this kind of slave labour 😉 ) used to cast the tap heads for the Crucible range, so if no one else can help, I can always see if I can get hold of him...

I don't think these are crucible head shaped taps - more of a 4 pointed star ? Anyway photos attached - hope someone remembers working on them !

 

[Ric2013]

My mistake. They're "Crystal". Thought they were called "Crucible". Nice taps.

Barking Brassware Co - Barking and District Historical Society

I would guess that the tap head is an interference fit (i.e. tight) onto the spindle (like most BS1010 mechanisms). Given that you can't use wooden packing or a spanner and then screw down the tap to force the head off as you would with a traditional tap, I'd imagine that slot is to put some kind of (special) tool instead. I doubt the plastic bit on top needs to be removed.

Have you tried pulling up hard and wiggling in various ways for 5 minutes?

 

[wonderer]

My mistake. They're "Crystal". Thought they were called "Crucible". Nice taps.

Barking Brassware Co - Barking and District Historical Society

I would guess that the tap head is an interference fit (i.e. tight) onto the spindle (like most BS1010 mechanisms). Given that you can't use wooden packing or a spanner and then screw down the tap to force the head off as you would with a traditional tap, I'd imagine that slot is to put some kind of (special) tool instead. I doubt the plastic bit on top needs to be removed.

Have you tried pulling up hard and wiggling in various ways for 5 minutes?

They are nice taps and thanks for the info about the correct name being 'Crystal'. I suspect that the heads have never been removed and the original washers are still inside ! I have tried every way of pulling them off but will have a look again at that small slot at the base which must be there for some purpose.

 

[wonderer]

They are nice taps and thanks for the info about the correct name being 'Crystal'. I suspect that the heads have never been removed and the original washers are still inside ! I have tried every way of pulling them off but will have a look again at that small slot at the base which must be there for some purpose.

So it turns out that there are 2 small slots 180 degree apart. I was able to use long nose pliers to prise the handle up slightly and then a screwdriver to lever off and finally release the handle. They do seem to have some sort of snap-on feature. There is nothing underneath the plastic red insert. Photo below. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ric2013]

Glad you got it off. Always easier once you've worked it out.