Safe removal of inset from old tap heads.

[The Bedwetter]

Anyone have any tips as to how I might safely remove the inset/indices on the heads of these old Adams taps? As hard as I have tried I simply cannot get them to shift. I have actually replaced the washers on the taps but the spindle has seized (on the hot side) so I need to remove the capstan head with a view to dismantling the assembly.

Thanks in advance for any advice. :wink_smile:

 

[EPH]

Is there not enough length on the spindle to do it without removing the head?

 

[stevetheplumber]

are you certain theres no grub screws in the sides of the heads ? do you realy need to get the heads of as the stuffing box is exsposed

 

[Chalked]

Adams tend to resin the ceramic hot and cold inserts in. There is a screw underneath. You might break the ceramic when levering out though .

 

[REDSAW]

bin em and flog cust new taps, sorted 😉

 

[The Bedwetter]

EPH: Not quite, no. Perhaps I’ll just give the area above the gland some WD40 and hope it penetrates downward into the thread.

stevetheplumber: As I said, I have removed the tap bodies from the monoblock and can see no sign of any grubscrew. Despite what is exposed in the pic I cannot get the spindle to move.

Chalked: Thanks for this. I did break an inset on another tap once before but was able to get to reset in place by using silicone sealant. I would sooner avoid this, though, if possible.

REDSAW: Now that’s positive thinking. There are, though, two sets of taps on two adjacent basins (only one shown in photo). But if they were mine I’d be going for new taps.

Thanks very much, chaps. :wink: