Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => GENERAL TOOL AND MACHINE DISCUSSION => Topic started by: coolmercury on February 18, 2019, 04:47:38 PM
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How many know what these tools are and how to use them. They used to be very important in the plumbing and steam fitting trades. They are resurfacing tools used to resurface the seats of valves. Not the valves sold today, but some of the old ones may well be around. The valves I'm talking about came apart, the stem was opened as far as it would go, then the top of the valve body was unscrewed and the stem was removed from the top. This tool was then inserted into the valve top and the top was screwed back on the body. The cutting surface of the tool then rested on the seat (of course the right sized tool for the valve had to be selected). The spring applied the correct tension and the tool was turned to redress the valve seat. Often an old style brace was used. The cutting surface (bottom) of these tools is very sharp and they are made of high quality steel. Don't see these very often.
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Nice!
Seat resurfacing tools are a nice thing to have if you own an older home. Many times the seats themselves are cast into the faucet, and therefor not replaceable like many modern faucets. (I have a pair of cheapo's that I keep in the plumbing tools bin).
Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/LASCO-13-1065-Grinder-Reseater-Resurface/dp/B000FH6FT8/ref=asc_df_B000FH6FT8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241927321837&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18060684021926405522&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051700&hvtargid=pla-492991960545&psc=1
Actually looking for an older (1940's) set for those situations where your valve is very old and the seat has been resurfaced so many times there's no metal left. Un-soldering the valve and replacing it can be a real hassle. The tool set I'm looking for had some dies that drilled out the old seat and tapped threads into it, which then allowed you to install replaceable seats from there on out. Chicago specialties Manufacturing Company made this nice set of tooling, dies, and replaceable seats in different sizes that would be killer to have.
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As you can see, this set will service some fairly large valves.
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I can't believe those have survived the years in that great of shape. Great find.
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Very cool! Learn something new everyday.
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk
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The reason they are in such great condition is when found at a garage sale each cutter was wrapped in oily cotton.
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Proud owner really knew how to maintain his tools! 8)