Simply Koi and More Koi

Hi all

When I built my pond and the filters I guess I over looked the possibility of this 4" valve needing much attention as I've left myself very little room to get to it , and its a bit of sods law that this is the one that should play up. smaller valve are easy to tighten up with one of these.
[img]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m302/wet ... 010236.jpg[/img]

but I can't find anything big enough for a 4"er
here is the valve bay
[img]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m302/wet ... 010215.jpg[/img]

and here is the valve
[img]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m302/wet ... 010211.jpg[/img]

as you can see not a lot of room
[img]http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m302/wet ... 010212.jpg[/img]

I could get one of those strap ratchets around if I could find one big enough but they don't seem to make them that big, any one got a better idea.
I have tried various ropes and knot's I even tried a hammer and bar but I'm afraid to hit it to hard for fear of braking it ..

Hi Terry
Cold chisel and mallet to crack them back a bit.
You can buy a big pair of stilsons, but lots of dosh--probably not worth it for a one off

Use a wide long real leather belt used with your tool in pic one (i`m not mad).

I got a big pair of stilsons from B & Q for £25.00 they open to 5inch.

Hi Terry

Make your own flexi-ratchet using an old toothed cam belt and a pair of mole grips - works well on car oil filters anyway!

Good luck

Bob

hi
yes tried the chisel and mallet but not to sure how much of a bash it will take , and its surprising how big a pair of stilsons need to be as the flange must be at least 10" dia if not more. ( to wet out there now so I will have to guess ) there is no room to get on it with stilsons anyway.( ok so its a design fault I admit it )

Russ I will give the belt idea a try depends if I can attach the belt but worth a try thanks

and your flex-ratchet Bob on the lookout for an old toothed cam belt , thanks.

Hi Terry

What is the problem with the valve?

Is it leaking? if so which side? Pond side or stop side?

Is it live? ie below pond water level?

I would tend to go for a tap with a cold chisel but would have thought through a contingency plan on how to do a quick fix if things went wrong!! Not a job for a Sunday afternoon!!

Regards

Dave

I saw one in Halfords the other day that would fit.

Terry
If you haven''t already sorted it make up something similar to this.

Halfords do a filter wrench that has 3 different sizes it will adjust to. That is the onl thing I can suggest you buy off the shelf (£35 expect to pay) to work in such a tight area.

Jules

p.s. I will try and upload a picture of it

Hi guys

Davej its leaking pond side and it is live , so if things go wrong they go wrong in a big way that's why I'm being caution ,

I just tried Russ'es idea with a belt but could not move it so went back in with a big hammer and a very large cold chisel , and have managed to move the flange a bit more ,

Just have to let things dry out a bit now as the only way I can look under it is with a dentist mirror .

thanks all your suggestions would still be interested in the tool Jules referred to for future reference.

I'll let you know if it is cured .

i wonder if jules means this
[img]http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_p ... 8937_7.jpg[/img]
£12.99 at halfords

Have you thought about trying a little heat just gently to see if it helps

Hi Terry

Can understand your problem.

Hope that the nudge you have given it solves the weep!!

Just an idea but if it is a question of the valve body not being quite square if you loosened the other side you might be able to get it a bit tighter if it wasn't under tension?

OK you still have the problem of doing up the other end again but at least this is on the "safe" side of the valve, change the seal and make sure it is well packed with vaseline before tightening.

Regards

Dave