Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted March 2, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 2, 2015 Today I went to the big box building store to get a laundry tub faucet. Mrs. TK accompanied me, and I noticed her looking at the kitchen faucets. Our kitchen faucet worked well enough, but in the interest of domestic harmony I asked Mrs. TK to point out the one she liked best. We bought that one too. Upon arriving home I started to remove the old kitchen faucet, which had been there about a dozen years. The lock nuts that hold faucets in place are directly under the faucet, under the counter top, behind the sink bowl. In other words, nearly impossible to reach, and impossible to get a wrench or pliers on. Even a faucet/basin wrench won't work. You have to turn them by hand. And the threads on the faucet had calcium deposits gummed up on them so the plastic lock nuts weren't going anywhere. Not looking good, with failure brewing on the horizon. Some people split the lock nuts with a hammer and chisel, but even just to reach them (to find out they wouldn't turn) I had to do a declining double-dog reverse immelmann half-gainer habanero pose, so that option was out. But I was able to get a drill behind the sink bowl, and I drilled three holes in the plastic lock nut. With the holes drilled, the threaded part of the lock nuts expanded over the calcium deposits as I turned them and I could remove the faucet. Which permitted me to install the new faucet, and enjoy the ensuing domestic tranquility. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted March 2, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 2, 2015 Yeah Engineer! Mr. Aire said that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted March 2, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 2, 2015 Then of course he told me how he would have accomplished the same task. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations on domestic harmony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 2, 2015 I thought this was going to be aboot roof-raking. Man, you make me look like a lazy guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 2, 2015 Some people split the lock nuts with a hammer and chisel, but even just to reach them (to find out they wouldn't turn) I had to do a declining double-dog reverse immelmann half-gainer habanero pose, so that option was out. Especially at your advanced age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 2, 2015 http://www.zoro.com/i/G5071997/?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=CMSF2-2-iMQCFQeNaQod8lsAVg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldendesign Posted March 2, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 2, 2015 I woulda gone through the top... Course my was would have required me to buy two more power tools and at least three more hours. But it woulda be fun! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted March 2, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 2, 2015 Did you..um...get some..you know...extra "attention" that night? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 2, 2015 Those things are a pain in the ass. There are no softet words to describe them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #11 Posted March 2, 2015 Better under the sink than the one's that hold the toilet seat on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted March 2, 2015 Share #12 Posted March 2, 2015 There's a tool for that - and a whole bunch of other things... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted March 2, 2015 Share #13 Posted March 2, 2015 FSOG- That is exactly what Mr. Aire said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted March 2, 2015 Share #14 Posted March 2, 2015 FSOG- That is exactly what Mr. Aire said.I bought mine on a whim, as a refurb, at Big Lots. The very next day, I used it to trim siding when installing an entry door. It did a really nice job, made it super easy. I almost felt guilty paying half price for it.I've used it a bunch, since then, including I believe, the very job TK is talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted March 2, 2015 I have a Dremel, but the space between the basin and the wall - with the basin being an extra deep style - was too narrow to get the tool at the lock nut to cut through it with one of those rotary wheel attachments. The tool itself would fit, but not enough space for my hand and the Dremel, and then position it to cut the lock nut. The Dremel was one of my first thoughts - probably could have just put a drill bit in the Dremel as well to drill the lock nut out though. I found during an online search the tool that 2Far posted the link for, of course, after I was home fighting with the faucet, and after I'd left the big box store assuming like an idiot that I had everything I needed. I think I may get me one of those for the next faucet I change 12 years from now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #16 Posted March 2, 2015 When I changed ours I had to do a declining double-dog reverse immelmann half-gainer habanero pose, but I manged to get them off with a hammer and long screw driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #17 Posted March 2, 2015 There's a tool for that - and a whole bunch of other things... I have the P-C version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrapr ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #18 Posted March 2, 2015 Any plumbing requires 3 trips minimum to plumbing store Construction LawYou were very smart not to start at 6:00 pm on a holiday weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted March 2, 2015 Share #19 Posted March 2, 2015 FIFY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #20 Posted March 2, 2015 I bought mine on a whim, as a refurb, at Big Lots. The very next day, I used it to trim siding when installing an entry door. It did a really nice job, made it super easy. I almost felt guilty paying half price for it.I've used it a bunch, since then, including I believe, the very job TK is talking about.Those are about the best I have found for undercutting door jambs and molding for installing flooring too! I bought mine as an open box special from Home Depot. And you can buy other heads, like a right angle drill, recip saw, etc. to go onto the motor. I got the 3 amp corded version for $79.00 with some extra blades, a carry bag, sanding attachment.https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/jobmax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted March 2, 2015 Share #21 Posted March 2, 2015 (edited) I have a Dremel,That's not a rotary Dremel. That has an oscillating blade. Much more differenter. Think "little hacksaw that goes back and forth really fast". Edited March 2, 2015 by F_in Ray Of Sunshine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #22 Posted March 2, 2015 "little hacksaw that goes back and forth really fast".That was my favorite Indian Native American in Dances With Wolves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted March 2, 2015 Share #23 Posted March 2, 2015 That was my favorite Indian Native American in Dances With Wolves.I liked Broken Rubber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf Posted March 3, 2015 Share #24 Posted March 3, 2015 Then of course he told me how he would have accomplished the same task.I'd have accomplished it by looking dumb and saying "Well, we do know my dad's best friend's son is a plumber.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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