Stiff Nobs

**MartyC** · August 2nd, 2007, 11:13 AM

Sorry about the title

I have a Halcyon Manifold on my twin 12L fabers, the knobs are quite stiff to turn - having now got to position where I can reach the damb things I now find its really nackering to turn them on and off

Mal,
You did tell me how to strip and clean them to make them easier to operate but I've forgotten

Can you please help, my wife thinks I'm a looney, going off into my shed, lying on the floor and then grunting and groaing trying to operate the valves (mind you she may be right!)

Marty

**neilh** · August 2nd, 2007, 12:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MartyC)

Mal,
You did tell me how to strip and clean them to make them easier to operate but I've forgotten

Not sure whether there is anything on here about it, but I'm sure there are threads over on YD that describe stripping your knob and cleaning it

It's not too hard to do, you just need a screwdriver, spanner and some O2 compatible lube like christolube.

...oh, and drain the cylinders before unscrewing the knobs

Mal Bridgeman · August 2nd, 2007, 03:24 PM

As Neil says. ...... This is what I do

1) Empty the set
2) Pick a valve
3) Undo the rubber knob (use fine pliers or screwdriver with a split in it)
4) Take care not to lose the spring
5) undo the big brass nut
6) undo the spigot to remove the actual valve seat
7) In the brass nut there is a nylon bush which can be removed by gently using the spigot
8) use a soft brush and white vinegar to clean off all the gunk especially the white grease from all parts.
9) Use your wife's ultrasonic jewellery cleaner bath to assist if you like
10) Dry everything with lint free material
11) smear a tiny amount of O2 grease on the valve seat threads, round the O ring on the spigot and on the nylon bush
12) Reassemble the parts ... don't overtighten the nut and make sure the spring is not done too tightly
13) Operate the valve and marvel at the ease with which is moves.
14) Move on to the next valve
15) Go to 2

When you then try valve drills next time you will be astonished at how freely they turn ... almost too freely so be careful when doing drills not to just keep opening and closing the valve with each hand movement :D

HTH
Mal

**MartyC** · August 2nd, 2007, 05:56 PM

Thank you kind Sir

Gary K · August 2nd, 2007, 06:01 PM

alternatively just buy MDE valves that never need intermediate maintenance

**MartyC** · August 2nd, 2007, 06:40 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver)

alternatively just buy MDE valves that never need intermediate maintenance

I am sure that you a very nice bloke, I've heard it said, I know you provide Chocolate to the masses and for that you should be commended.
However I was asking for advice and information not sarky comments that you know fine well I could not / would not wish to follow in any case

But thank you anyway for taking the time out from YD to assist - I won't post the comments I first came up with, cos it would be a waste of time and only lead to upset, quite frankly I've had a sh#t day at work and I'm not going to make it any worse by getting into a ruck over something as silly as this - I'm sure you only meant it as a jest

**MartyC** · August 2nd, 2007, 11:09 PM

Job done, quite simple really like most jobs that you're apprehensive about doing, thanks for the advice.

**jb2cool** · August 3rd, 2007, 07:43 AM

Let us know if it made much difference you your knobs.

Leigh u · August 3rd, 2007, 02:03 PM

I prefer to clean the valve pieces and re-assemble without any lubrication.
I find lubrication mucks up the valve threads faster and attracts more dirt.
If the seat is rough I replace it.

**MartyC** · August 4th, 2007, 12:31 PM

Just got the cylinders filled and done a shut down with the works "under pressure" as it were - silky smooth operation about 900% easier than they were.
Still need to do some more stretching tho

August 2nd, 2007, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 146	Stiff Nobs Sorry about the title I have a Halcyon Manifold on my twin 12L fabers, the knobs are quite stiff to turn - having now got to position where I can reach the damb things I now find its really nackering to turn them on and off Mal, You did tell me how to strip and clean them to make them easier to operate but I've forgotten Can you please help, my wife thinks I'm a looney, going off into my shed, lying on the floor and then grunting and groaing trying to operate the valves (mind you she may be right!) Marty __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!

August 2nd, 2007, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	As Neil says. ...... This is what I do 1) Empty the set 2) Pick a valve 3) Undo the rubber knob (use fine pliers or screwdriver with a split in it) 4) Take care not to lose the spring 5) undo the big brass nut 6) undo the spigot to remove the actual valve seat 7) In the brass nut there is a nylon bush which can be removed by gently using the spigot 8) use a soft brush and white vinegar to clean off all the gunk especially the white grease from all parts. 9) Use your wife's ultrasonic jewellery cleaner bath to assist if you like 10) Dry everything with lint free material 11) smear a *tiny* amount of O2 grease on the valve seat threads, round the O ring on the spigot and on the nylon bush 12) Reassemble the parts ... don't overtighten the nut and make sure the spring is not done too tightly 13) Operate the valve and marvel at the ease with which is moves. 14) Move on to the next valve 15) Go to 2 When you then try valve drills next time you will be astonished at how freely they turn ... almost too freely so be careful when doing drills not to just keep opening and closing the valve with each hand movement :D HTH Mal __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author.

August 2nd, 2007, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 146	Thank you kind Sir __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!

August 2nd, 2007, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 146	Quote: (Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver) alternatively just buy MDE valves that never need intermediate maintenance I am sure that you a very nice bloke, I've heard it said, I know you provide Chocolate to the masses and for that you should be commended. However I was asking for advice and information not sarky comments that you know fine well I could not / would not wish to follow in any case But thank you anyway for taking the time out from YD to assist - I won't post the comments I first came up with, cos it would be a waste of time and only lead to upset, quite frankly I've had a sh#t day at work and I'm not going to make it any worse by getting into a ruck over something as silly as this - I'm sure you only meant it as a jest __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!

August 2nd, 2007, 11:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 146	Job done, quite simple really like most jobs that you're apprehensive about doing, thanks for the advice. __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say! Last edited by MartyC; August 3rd, 2007 at 09:38 AM.

August 2nd, 2007, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	Quote: (Originally Posted by MartyC) Mal, You did tell me how to strip and clean them to make them easier to operate but I've forgotten Not sure whether there is anything on here about it, but I'm sure there are threads over on YD that describe stripping your knob and cleaning it It's not too hard to do, you just need a screwdriver, spanner and some O2 compatible lube like christolube. ...oh, and drain the cylinders before unscrewing the knobs

August 2nd, 2007, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gary K(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: . Posts: 71	alternatively just buy MDE valves that never need intermediate maintenance

August 3rd, 2007, 07:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 796	Let us know if it made much difference you your knobs. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

August 3rd, 2007, 02:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Leigh u(Offline) We Go Down Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 227	I prefer to clean the valve pieces and re-assemble without any lubrication. I find lubrication mucks up the valve threads faster and attracts more dirt. If the seat is rough I replace it. __________________ http://youtube.com/wegodown

August 4th, 2007, 12:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 146	Just got the cylinders filled and done a shut down with the works "under pressure" as it were - silky smooth operation about 900% easier than they were. Still need to do some more stretching tho __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!