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I just installed a Pfister Bernini Model 049 Widespead Lav Faucet, replacing another old faucet whose valve body is shown in the picture. The mounting nuts are 1 1/2 hex and because they are so thin there is not enough for my Ridgid faucet wrench (middle of picture) to grab on to firmly and I could not tighten it enough to ensure it will not come loose in the future. My 1/2 in drive crowfoot was too bulky to make a 60* turn in the limited space under the sink, between the bowl and the back of the cabinet. The socket wrench set in the picture, meant for shower valve stems, only went up to 1 7/16. So I had to go back the next day to tighten up the mounting nuts.

My options were
1) A 3/8 drive crowfoot which is more compact than the 1/2 in drive. Snap-On has them for about $50 and it would take a few days to get it in.
2) A 1/2 in drive deep 1 1/2 socket for $21 from Napa, but not in stock and 3 days away.
3)I ended up using my water heater element wrench which is 1 1/2 in hex. I drilled through a cheap shallow 30 mm socket that I had lying around so that I could bolt it on to the element socket and drive it with a 1/2 in ratchet. It is on the right hand side of the picture.

As an aside, does any one recognise the old faucet? The valve body is shown on the left of the picture. Here are a couple more pictures. The stem comes off the (plastic) cartridge body and has a flat on the end to drive the cartridge. It took me almost an hour to remove the old faucet since it had been in place for decades, the hex is large at about 1 5/8 in and the faucet wrench could barely grab on to the nuts. I used an angle grinder to cut the pop-up drain off since it had a screw on flange at the top and there was no way it was going to unscrew.
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george, i feel your pain..
gimme a good old 4 inch centerset that you can swap one (not including the drain) in a couple of minutes.
i don't use an angle grinder, i use my oscillating tool with a metal cutting blade. fits up inside and cuts like a dream

My go-to tool for old faucet removal usually ends up being a Dremel with cut-off wheel.
We've all been in your same spot.

OH Oh Oh .... poor baby !

send me airfare and i'll install it for you



(a british tool)

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

bernabeu, a one way ticket ???

Screw on top drains are the easiest to remove WITHOUT cutting them out, if you use the proper procedure.

packy,

"She's got a ticket to ride, She's got a ticket to ride ..............."

[www.youtube.com]



I've got a one way to the dark place.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Some of the screw on top drains will unscrew but what else can you do when the threads are seized but cut them out?

I wouldn't try to describe how I do it, (trade secret), but so far, they have always come loose. I just did five of them a couple of days ago.



Edited 1 times.

Trade secret? Do you really think that sharing a trick will diminish your income or status?

The 'trick' is maintaining a 'sharp' 'square' edge on the 'quality' basin wrench and having experience.

My large jaw wrench cost $35 dollars 20+ years ago.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638