Blakes seacock

[Ruthie]

Hello,

I've just drifted out a seized plug from a Blakes seacock. It still has a nice ring of sound metal at the top, but the bottom is rather wasted - not disasterously, but I suspect there's too much to get back by re-grinding.

I'm a bit loth to part with £120 for a complete new seacock, and I don't really want to disturb the body, which looks okay. Anyone know where I can buy a replacement plug? Or is there any way it can be refurbished?

Thanks - Ruthie

 

[mainmarine]

you can probably find a used one on ebay and strip out the parts you need, but it may take too much grinding to get them to match up

 

[fdmarsden]

sent you a pm

 

[jerryat]

I don't think I'd go down this route if I were you. As I understand it, each seacock has the two main parts properly 'mated' to ensure a long term watertight fit.

I agree with mainmarine that trying to grind in a 'non-matched' insert may remove too much metal and reduce the integrity of the whole.

Keep an eye out on eBay as that's where I bought brand new units for far less than the 'advertised' price.

 

[Ruthie]

Well folks - there aren't any on ebay (thanks for suggestion) but I'll keep an eye open. I'm going to have a go at lapping in the existing plug, and see if I can get enough of a seal...

 

[chrisross]

If grinding paste is used to lap valves use very light pressure and copious washing to avoid too much grit being permanently embedded in the surfaces or wear and sticking will be accelerated. I found anhydrous lanolin to be a very good seacock lubricant lasting well all season.

 

[chrisross]

The ideal of course would be to ream the body and re-machine the plug but I dont know of anyone with a reamer :-(

 

[Bodach na mara]

If you do need a new seacock, I just checked on www.asap-supplies.com and their price for a 1.5 inch blakes seacock is just under £100. If you register with them you get a discount which makes it less than that. Don't pay £120!

 

[Ruthie]

Ken - thanks for the tip. ASAP look quite useful.

 

[asj1]

ASAP have good prices on many things esp if you want to buy reasonable quantity, but prices are quaoted excluding VAT and delivery costs eat into any savings.

 

[billcowan]

Erm, why use a Blakes, a turd goes through an ordinary 1½ ball type cock. and cheaper at about £40 in the swindlery, or £20 from a flow control trade counter (watch out for mild steel handle though)