Proper tool usage question

[dink]

Over Christmas I was fixing my mothers toilet....and I was replacing the handle because it wouldnt allow the rubber close piece to fully close over the hole to stop the water running...the toilet is old

Well when I was replacing the handle there is a large rubber nut basically that holds everything tight right there at the handle...its inside the bucket of the toilet...also this type is used so water doesnt go through and it cant rust


Well this was the tool I had to use to get it off and it totally ripped the thing to shread

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945378000

Because none of my pliers that I had brought with me was going the job

So what plier or tool would be best for this type of job?

 

[Katbird]

I used a small pair of channel locks on mine and those threads are backwards, they are left handed threads that hold the handle on.

 

[sjsfire]

A pair of channel locks. I have many friends that are union plumbers and I'd bet the channel locks are probably the most used tool they own

 

[dink]

A pair of channel locks. I have many friends that are union plumbers and I'd bet the channel locks are probably the most used tool they own

okay....but that doesnt answer my question....what specific tool

 

[kartracer55]

CHANNEL LOCKS!!!!!!


AKA waterpump pliers, around here these terms are used interchangable, kinda like kleenex.


Jim

 

[sjsfire]

Sorry dude, Hope this pic comes through ok. Channel Lock makes these but I only know them as "Channel Locks". Also about every tool company makes their version of them.

 

[dink]

Sorry dude, Hope this pic comes through ok. Channel Lock makes these but I only know them as "Channel Locks". Also about every tool company makes their version of them.

Yea I have a Facom and Pratt-Read.....these were my first choice in getting the piece off and it wasnt working too well.....

I was actually looking at these maybe something like this might work...

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SKF-410.html

 

[sjsfire]

Those probably would have worked ok too. I hope you got it fixed, gotta take care of momma. The guy that was my best man in my wedding is a union plumber and I know the channel locks is one of his most important tools. I always kid him (and this is not to offend any plumbers), "The only thing you need to know to be a plumber is sh*t flows downhill and pay day is Friday"

 

[YJTypeR]

Is it that big of a deal? It would be pretty worthless to get a special tool just to tighten a plastic nut in a toilet just once. If you're THAT worried about marring the plastic, put a towel around the nut, then have at it with the same pliers.

 

[dink]

Yes I got the job done on both her toilets...and yes it is important not to mess up the plastic piece....I want it to get it off as easy as possible without any headaches...even if it means that I need a specific tool for the job

 

[sjsfire]

YJTypeR, Of course it matters. If a guy hasn't had much experience in plumbing, and I can't speak on Dink's experience, ask a question. I'm fortunate to have a good friend I can call when I'm in a plumbing bind. No offense but I try to help people out when I can. It's all good buddy!

 

[YJTypeR]

I'm definitely no plumbing expert whatso ever, and I totally agree with you. People have stated that Channel Locks are more than sufficient to get the job done, not requiring a specialty plastic toilet nut wrench. I say don't stress over it, the nut is not holding anything structural on the toilet, your mom won't fall in if the plastic fails or becomes marred. No worries.

 

[dink]

I'm definitely no plumbing expert whatso ever, and I totally agree with you. People have stated that Channel Locks are more than sufficient to get the job done, not requiring a specialty plastic toilet nut wrench. I say don't stress over it, the nut is not holding anything structural on the toilet, your mom won't fall in if the plastic fails or becomes marred. No worries.

Darn that *****....that would be fun to watch

 

[Fast Orange]

If I have to take the lid off and get parts,everything gets replaced and adjusted-fill valve,flush valve and anything else that moves. Smooth jaw channellocks are the weapon of choice.Because everything gets replaced,I don't care if an old part gets torn up.Replace everything with quality stuff,adjust it right and forget about problems for about 10 years.

George

 

[Thumper]

The technical name is "arc Joint" pliers. But I call 'em Channellocks too!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have also used an adjustable wrench, when someone has installed it, past what it is supposed to be. HAND TIGHT. In the old days, these were more of a pot metal.

 

[evildky]

hate to bug but why are you replacing the handle? if the ball flapper isn't going down far enough you can let some length out of the chain? if it's the odd type with the one piece thing that looks like a plunger with a hollow handle, then the lever's inner arm just need to be bent a bit, the only time I've replaced handles is when the handles themselves break of they wear out the bushings

 

[dink]

hate to bug but why are you replacing the handle? if the ball flapper isn't going down far enough you can let some length out of the chain? if it's the odd type with the one piece thing that looks like a plunger with a hollow handle, then the lever's inner arm just need to be bent a bit, the only time I've replaced handles is when the handles themselves break of they wear out the bushings

The toilet is 27 years old....the chain that is connected to the handle to the flapper is rotted away....so in order to close the flapper all the way you had to find a secure link in the chain that wasnt all rotted....so I went ahead and replaced the entire thing

 

[eschoendorff]

The toilet is 27 years old....the chain that is connected to the handle to the flapper is rotted away....so in order to close the flapper all the way you had to find a secure link in the chain that wasnt all rotted....so I went ahead and replaced the entire thing

Which was not a bad call... been there, done that. I also remember using arc joint pliers wrapped in something to get that nut off, but ended up destroying it anyway. The parts were cheap enough taht if I messed up a part, it wasn't tha big of a deal. In fact, I think I have a box of misc. sink and toilet parts "just in case."

 

[dink]

Yea I had to unfortunatly go to Lowes to get the stuff because there are no hardware stores around my mothers house to get this sort of thing....its to bad