[Tommy plumber]

Great kit to have. I also have some Sexauer tins, but not the big jobber box that you have.


I have actually used a mini hacksaw blade to cut out slivers in a stubborn seat. My manager at the time wanted the tub valve repaired over my suggestion of replace the valve.


I also have the seat-thread plate. Great tool to have to verify the threads on a seat.


We should always have more than {1} way of doing something. Your kits give you the option of repairing tub and shower valves. Or, you could always cut open a wall and replace. Two ways of accomplishing the job.


I noticed that you didn't post a picture of a cap thread gasket kit. I also have one of those. You must have that kit if you have all those other kits.

 

[Tommy plumber]

Cap thread gasket kit and a small seat kit.


I agree with you that a service man should be able to repair fixtures and such. I enjoy taking things apart, learning how it ticks and then putting said item back together.

 

[Tommy plumber]

Scored this on ebay last night!! ebay.com/itm/254153683566



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No pictures are showing. Maybe my computer?

 

[Tommy plumber]

This is the one that I have on my truck. I use it once in a while.

 

[Tommy plumber]

I bought that lot for the omalley kit. Only one of the five in there is a flat seat grinder which I have several of and don't really use. The other four are "seat taps". So when the threads for a removable seat wear out I can tap new threads and use a new seat.

The other stuff is just a sweet score.


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I love the old metal boxes. And yeah, you'll need a cap thread gasket one day and you'll be saying "Thanks Tommy plumber!"...…..:biggrin:

Every once in a while, either new stems don't come with a cap thread gasket or else I'll need one on a stem that I'm changing the bibb washer for. Some of them split while removing the old stems. It's a rarity for sure, but every once in a while you need one. {or use the t-tape trick which is a bit hackish}

 

[Tommy plumber]

Speaking of tip/tricks to make repairs, have any of you guys repaired a nick in a seat? And if so, how?


I've used a flat file to shave the seat a tiny bit, rotating it after every few strokes,


or the seat re-finishing tool,


or for the really brave, solder the seat.

 

[Tommy plumber]

As you said there is the standard flat grinder or the much nicer version with contoured bits for making a proper round seat face. I have 4 full sets of the sexauer version, one of which has the 4 optional largest cutters and extension. You should use a beveled washer after you resurface a seat this way if you take off anything significant.

But if you just want to fix a nick then I use sanding cloth, similar to how you use the file. I take a mostly worn out piece and hold it with my left hand and use multi-circular motions to smooth the seat face. I rotate it a fifth or so of a turn every once in a while to make it even. Then I use the cloth to take the sharp edges off of the inside and outside so the washer doesn't get cut.

Filling in a nick with solder isn't too bad if the solder will take. You just end up with a lot more work to smooth it out if you have a big solder booger. You can use some stranded copper wire as solder wick to remove a little at a time.

You sound like you are around my age. I'm 51. The younger guys either aren't being taught to repair items, or they just prefer to replace.

Of course some old pcs. of crap kitchen faucet is getting replaced. Some thing that has to be cut out of the kitchen sink {cuz the steel retainer nut under the chrome escutcheon plate is rusted to all hell} isn't worth anyone's time to re-build. That I replace. But old antique and vintage plumbing fixtures and faucets are well worth the effort to repair.