MONOBLOC TAPS-FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS

[nugie]

Modern monobloc taps normally come with a pair of flexible connectors terminating in a fitting with about an 8mm nut and a shaft with 2 rubber O rings. Does anyone know of a spanner (not a box spanner, it won't fit over the other end of the flex connector) for tightening the 8mm end into the tap base.

 

[ant954]

i just do them hand tight and then use my grips on the copper (dont squeeze hard tho)

 

[Softus]

I can hardly believe that you're asking, but what about this:

 

[LUNAT]

HI


they do not have to be that tight.
simply turn with hands then one gentle turn with pliers.

 

[nugie]

Thank you all for your responses, PLEASE RE-READ THE ORIGONAL POST- THESE ARE FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS!!!
NOT THOSE TAPERING COPPER ONES WITH THE BRASS NUT AT THE TAP END!!!
furthermore the threaded hole- IE where the connector screws into, is at least 1 inch inside the tap body, any normal spanner, box, ring, or open ended, WILL NOT EVEN COME CLOSE! this will require a special tool not unlike a modern tap wrench but much smaller, what I'm trying to find out is does such a thing exist, if so where can I get it??
Finger tight is not enough, even witth 2 "O" rings , and a smear of "boss white" it still drips.
COMMENTS??

 

[Softus]

the threaded hole- IE where the connector screws into, is at least 1 inch inside the tap body

Yes, hose are a pain in the neck, but you can nip up the first one with an open ended spanner. The second one you can then do with a pair of grips like this:

Finger tight is not enough, even witth 2 "O" rings , and a smear of "boss white" it still drips.

Two tips:

1. Don't repeatedly install and remove the tails - the O rings are slender and don't stand up to repeated abrasion.

2. Don't use Boss White for what you're doing - it will make the job harder and might, in time, even degrade the O rings. The thread and the O rings should be spotlessly clean except for a trace of silicone grease (note - silicone grease, not sealant).

 

[ChrisR]

The threads aren't designed to do the sealing, the O rings are, so tighness shouldn't matter.
Often these will help. You do need a mortgage for a full set though:

 

[Softus]

Chris, one problem with loose tails is that the wibbling around shortens the life of the O rings.

 

[ChrisR]

I wouldn't say don't do them up, just that you shouldn't need to do it particularly tight.
I suppose you could pit some ptfe onm the threads if the O rings don't seal, and if they do but you can't do the pipes up tight, it would reduce wibbling a bit?

 

[Softus]

I agree about the tighness aspect.

Wibble prevention is all important though.

 

[Registered Gas Man]

Hand tight is enough. Or should have been.

 

[londonboy123]

i put a new monobloc mixer i n my bathroom 3 weeks ago and with the flexi connectors, 12mm to 15mm (the 12mm in the tap) i screwed them hand tight and then tightened a bit more with an adjustable. NOT overtight though!.

 

[nugie]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE REPLIES,
I have 2 more taps like this to fit so I'll be better prepared,
the kitchen is still dripping into a pyrex dish, one day when I have time......................
I think there's an opportunity here for an enterprising person to produce a range of different length extensions,these taps won't go away, and while the solutions suggested are the best available now, none are really satisfactory are they? possibly OK on a bench,but working upsidedown, under the sink, squinting up the inside of the tap, not enough light, bla bla, AND DONT SAY FIT THEM FIRST, the 2 15mm ends wont go through the HOLE there should be an easier way!!!
THANKS AGAIN-ROB

 

[Softus]

I think there's an opportunity here for an enterprising person to produce a range of different length extensions

Where did you buy the taps? Tails with an extension on the end already exist - they usually come with the taps that need them. Here's one:

while the solutions suggested are the best available now, none are really satisfactory are they?

They always work for me. But I don't give them the option of failing.

possibly OK on a bench,but working upsidedown, under the sink, squinting up the inside of the tap, not enough light, bla bla, AND DONT SAY FIT THEM FIRST

Fit them first.

the 2 15mm ends wont go through the HOLE

That only happened to me once, and only then because of a very odd sink.

there should be an easier way!!!

There is. If you can't feed both tails through the hole then fit just one first, then poke the other up through the hole and screw that onto the tap.

You need to be a bit more cunning in order to make life easier for yourself!

 

[Registered Gas Man]

working upsidedown, under the sink, squinting up the inside of the tap, not enough light, bla bla, AND DONT SAY FIT THEM FIRST, the 2 15mm ends wont go through the HOLE

Well don't need to say anymore. That is why they are leaking.