P-valve bolts - where from?

[Dominic]

The bolt from my P-valve went walkabout last time I went diving. Called Diver's Warehouse for a replacement, and it's going to cost me £12 for a new bolt.

£12! For a bolt with a hole in it!

I don't have the facilities to drill down a SS bolt from B&Q, sadly. So does anybody know any cheaper sources of P-valve bolts?

[Finless]

Dominic,

Try phoning a local engineering firm from your Yellow Pages and explaining what you want. If they don't do it they almost certainly will recommend someone who can.

I used this method to source the twinning band bolts which needed to be longer than the ones I had (eventually my LDS swapped some stock bolts for mine which did fit). I had 3 or 4 places that were prepared to knock me up some stainless bolts or, anything I required.

I don't know what you require doing BUT from your description it only sounds like a case of drilling a hole + I'm sure you would only be charged a few quid. Worth a try.

If you could be bothered sending it to me with details of where to drill the hole I think my Uncle could do it on his home equipment (no longer has access to works equipment) - that would only cost you the postage (assuming bolt to be steel). If stainless I would need to check with him first.

[Dominic]

Might be worth a try.. I'll look into it.

It's actually two drill holes - here, look at this:



That bolt at the top left is what I need - it has the hole you can see, and also a hole through the center linking to that hole.

The bolt that comes with is brass - I daresay stainless would be better. I'll see if I can get one with the right thread size on it..

[daveking]

<font color='#0000FF'>its a 3/8 unf bolt 16 threads per inch &nbsp;inch and a quater long
doubt if b and q will have one so try your locak ironmongers

[Gary]

The bolt you need is actually a course thread from the Unified screw thread series - UNC and not fine (UNF). If it came with the Extreme Exposure / Halcyon 'P' Valve then it is a brass bolt with an 'O' ring to help sealing. I can't tell the size of the 'O' ring at the moment as I'm at work but if you don't fit one it will let water in.

Gary

[Dominic]

Actually, it won't - one-way valves are a great invention.

But I don't want to risk the valve not working, hence the desire for a new bolt.. thanks for the feedback about bolt types, I might be able to knock my own replacements up after all if I get the bolt - remembered I have access to some equipment courtesy of a farm worker I know..