How am i gonna get this undone ???

roycruse · 18 March 2006, 19:58

This is stuck - I want to get it open just to check i have no water in my inner hull - I tried to use a 50p and a pair of pliers and the 50p bent.

I bought a tool from the chandlers
(see pic below) and i still cant get enough purchase on it - the tool just jumps out the slot.

I thought of using an impact driver but 1. i don't have one and 2. i don't think a standard screwdriver blade is wide enough and will just chew up the slot.

Any Ideas...

codprawn · 18 March 2006, 20:02

wd40 - then a woodchisel and pair of molegrips. Push down hard and turn with the grips!!!

Petrov · 18 March 2006, 20:02

Hammer and a big screwdriver allways work as long you havent put any sika.

eksrae · 18 March 2006, 20:03

you could try a chisel and a hammer.
might bugger it up a bit

Ezgoing · 18 March 2006, 20:35

try some wd40 or diesel on it. then get a wood augur bit from hardware, grind down to exact size and put bit into a brace. this should allow you to put your full body weight against it and twist. it should come off. try not to use a hammer as it might dislodge the complete fitting and create a leak.

Best of luck

Hightower · 18 March 2006, 20:48

If it's stuck fast I would undo the self tappers/woodscrews and remove the whole fitting so that I could work on it in more comfortable conditions.

ian parkes · 18 March 2006, 22:01

Once you have a decent tool warming it up might help , ie hot water or just a rag soaken in hot water , or a hair dryer

Alice · 18 March 2006, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Once you have a decent tool warming it up might help , ie hot water or just a rag soaken in hot water , or a hair dryer

Hair Dryer?!! Why not turn the central heating up and stand at the back door waving a tea towel!!

Try tapping it with a hammer Roy, then a big screw driver gripped with a pair of molegrips.

rickuk3 · 18 March 2006, 23:46

These are commonly used on narrowboats for water, diesel and black water tanks and regularly sieze up. We use the method Codprawn sugested, an old wood chisel ground to fit and a pair of mole grips, has never failed for us. Before refitting it smear both surfaces with vasaline so that it will be easier to remove next time.
Richard

ADS · 19 March 2006, 02:19

Seeing as JW has yet to read this: Angle Grinder!!!

Petrov · 19 March 2006, 05:35

Metall expands if it heats up, than it would be harder to get it of.
But if you try it, watch up for the gelcoat, it can be yellow/lightbrown if you heat to much.

Hightower · 19 March 2006, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrov

Metall expands if it heats up, than it would be harder to get it of.
But if you try it, watch up for the gelcoat, it can be yellow/lightbrown if you heat to much.

Yes Metal does expand when it gets hot, but there is the plug and the body and if heat were applied (which I would recommend against in this instance untill removal of the fitting) the body would also expand at a slightly different rate to that of the plug and hopfully break the seal/bond between the two.

If all other methods fail, the best action is to still remove the fitting and work on it in a workshop, that way you won't damage the boat or yourself by having chisels and suchlike slip off.

Shaggy · 19 March 2006, 09:37

Try this...

Shaggy

Hightower · 19 March 2006, 10:27

:d :d

Mark Halliday · 19 March 2006, 17:46

Looks like it has been stuck in with Sikaflex. It wont be easy to get the fitting out.

What sort of diameter is the plug Roy?

CJL · 19 March 2006, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

If it's stuck fast I would undo the self tappers/woodscrews and remove the whole fitting so that I could work on it in more comfortable conditions.

K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid !!!

I'd definately try this one first!!!!

Chris

Hugh Jardon · 19 March 2006, 21:05

Roy

i am surprised they fitted that type to your boat as most of the boats at ribcraft had these fitted. That nice man at Ribcraft gave me one tooo. Might be worth swapping out your one to one of these if the holes work, the central hole it fits in is about 30mm diameter

, note is held in with self tappers until my next batch of stainless bolts and screws arrives this week

Paul F · 19 March 2006, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid !!!

I'd definately try this one first!!!!

Chris

Agreed
Why make a mountain out of a mole hill????

jwalker · 19 March 2006, 22:00

And if that doesn't work, tack a nut on to it. The heat alone will probably do the trick.

roycruse · 20 March 2006, 07:48

Mark from Ribcraft today - rang me and offered to replace the bung with the new stainless type that Hugh mentioned.

Pretty good customer service - considering I haven't even reported the problem to them - how many other manufacturers have "pro-active" after sales like this.

I guess someone from Ribnet must have mentioned it to them

Going to try a ground down chisel and an adjustable spanner this morning.