Loosening stiff bolts, nuts, stopcocks etc

[Paul Cockhill]

Hi

Can anyone advise something that is good for loosening stiff stopcocks, bolts etc. I do not want to use WD40 in a water system for obvious reasons.

Many thanks

Paul

 

[Killy Bing]

Gym or more leverage

 

[village idiot]

I've got a crow-bar and will be happy to lend you it.
Alternatively, fire up your blow torch and apply heat to the stopcock, then whack it with a sledge hammer. That will loosen it. Works all the time

 

[LPC]

Seems like a strange question. Big pump pliers and some common sense.

 

[JCplumb]

I use a tap spanner for leverage - the blue type that is usually rubbish for tap nuts, seems to fit nicely on a stopcock.

 

[CXR100]

dont know if anybody else does this but id loosen the gland completley first if really stiff, then just play around with it! i use a big pair of pump pliers if its accessable, otherwise ive got a bit T bar that usually solves it or snaps it!

 

[Bunker]

You can buy short mains stopcock keys which are superb for snapping the handle off.

 

[Best]

dont know if anybody else does this but id loosen the gland completley first if really stiff, then just play around with it! i use a big pair of pump pliers if its accessable, otherwise ive got a bit T bar that usually solves it or snaps it!

You are right, slacken the gland nut, no matter how long it takes! I scrape the spindle with a knife, then slacken the packing nut with a shifting spanner while holding the head from turning. Then use grips to pull/turn the packing nut back off & scrape the bit of spindle you couldn't get at. Dab of Vaseline or silicone grease & all back together nice & freely turning!

 

[P J F PLUMBING]

Crack it spray it's really good