Problem tightening Monoblock mixer tap

[MartinQ2]

Hi Everyone, good to be here. I wonder if someone could advise me with a little issue I have. I bought a "cheap" Monobloc mixer tap and its not bad for the money......only problem is I cant get it to tighten to the sink. The nut to tighten it is 34mm and I cant get good purchase on it to tighten probably. I have done a bit of research and think I need a 34mm box spanner or a basin wrench but cant find one that size. Do they exist? Any other tips to get it to tighten. I have tried vice grips but just doesn't cut it as I dont have much room to move. Any ideas?

 

[Best]

A good adjustable claw spanner will usually do it, but difficult to get a decent one.
A 7" pair of Footprints grips are often capable of tightening the near impossible nuts

 

[Riley]

Buy a cheap set of box spanner’s

 

[jtsplumbing]

Take the sink out !

 

[MartinQ2]

A good adjustable claw spanner will usually do it, but difficult to get a decent one.
A 7" pair of Footprints grips are often capable of tightening the near impossible nuts

I will have a look for footprint grips but the space is a little tight.

Buy a cheap set of box spanner’s

Thx, I cant find any box spanners that fit 34mm nut

Take the sink out !

Thanks, Not an option for me as its a stainless steel sink and is all in one.

Attached is a picture of the underside so that you can get an idea of what I am working with!

View attachment 20180307_084418.jpg

 

[Best]

Looks like quite a bit of space in that photo for to tighten the nut.
We are used to much worse.
The Footprint grips I mentioned, or for that matter, any adjustable or other spanner that you can get onto the nut, just need very tiny movements

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Looks like a Commercial sink

 

[SimonG]

Standard adjustable.

 

[MartinQ2]

Looks like quite a bit of space in that photo for to tighten the nut.
We are used to much worse.
The Footprint grips I mentioned, or for that matter, any adjustable or other spanner that you can get onto the nut, just need very tiny movements

Thanks. Patience as well i bet!

 

[MartinQ2]

Looks like a Commercial sink

Yes. Its an old commercial sink I bought for my garage

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes. Its an old commercial sink I bought for my garage

Undo the waste and it should pull away get at it easy then

 

[Jim Goodenough]

A 7" pair of Footprints grips are often capable of tightening the near impossible nuts

Talking of 'Footprints' I think they're an amazing tool - I still use a 7" pr that I was given when I finished C & G Plumbing (Craft level) at Herts College of Building in St Albans, that was 1983!!

Also got a 9" pr; simply excellent basic tool

 

[Best]

Talking of 'Footprints' I think they're an amazing tool - I still use a 7" pr that I was given when I finished C & G Plumbing (Craft level) at Herts College of Building in St Albans, that was 1983!!

Also got a 9" pr; simply excellent basic tool

Yes, Footprints are a tool that can do the most awkward jobs.
I have some that must be 50 plus years old. I also found a 9” set that were below a bath installed in 1960s and clearly of that time, in brand new condition.
I prefer the thumb wheel versions now, as you can adjust them with one hand and to a more fine adjustment. (7” thumb wheel type is handy)

 

[Ric2013]

It's not that the thread doesn't quite go up far enough to allow it to clamp onto the thin steel sink is it? If so, solution is a thick washer ( a top-hat washer would be ideal).

 

[MartinQ2]

It's not that the thread doesn't quite go up far enough to allow it to clamp onto the thin steel sink is it? If so, solution is a thick washer ( a top-hat washer would be ideal).

Thx, it maybe that alright as the nut is quite tight but there is lots of movement in the taps. Excuse my ignorance but what dia of washer should i get 34mm?

 

[Ric2013]

Anything with an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the thread on that tap so it will fit over the thread. You'll need to measure it, I'm afraid.

 

[MartinQ2]

Anything with an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the thread on that tap so it will fit over the thread. You'll need to measure it, I'm afraid.

Thanks Ric. I got 5 normal washers from local Hardware shop and fitted them. Tap nice and tight now.

Thanks everyone who helped.