[Pimento]

Hi all,

I have a couple of those blue plastic barrels you seem to find on every allotment, and have bought a couple of plastic taps to turn them into posh water butts.

Trouble is, I can't reach far down enough inside the barrels to screw the back of the taps on.

Please does anyone have a small toddler they could lend me to dangle inside or, failing that, any other bright ideas on how I might solve the problem?

With thanks in anticipation,

Pim.

[arugula]

Have you got a set of grips you could use on the inside, they'd lengthen your arm by a bit.

[Pimento]

Hi,

Erm no, and I don't really want to have to buy anything or it'll cancel out my "cheap" water butts. Perhaps I can borrow some, or maybe some kind person will think of a way I could improvise?

Didn't think this one through very well, did I? 

[carlrmj]

I take it the top is open.

If so lay the water butt on its side and get inside to screw the nut on.

You will still need someone to hold the outside tap though.

Or angle it so the tap cannot turn on the ground when screwing nut on.

Hope it helps?

[Agatha]

I used an adjustable spanner on mine...the extra length gave me just enough reach...otherwise make friends with the allotmenteer with the longest arms?!!!

[Pimento]

Hi, thanks a lot for the replies! 

CarirMJ, the problem is the top of the butt is too narrow. I'm not a real fatty, but it's a 120 litre one and the top is only about a foot wide.

Agatha, the long-armed allotmenteer might be the best practical plan... Although they'd need to look like an orangutan.  Having said that, our site does have its share of monkeys.... 

[jrko]

pop your right arm and shoulder inside then your head - bingo you can reach!

[the Kergan]

pop your right arm and shoulder inside then your head - bingo you can reach!

Have someone standing by with a video camera when you do this as you will then be able to use the £250 you get from you've been framed to by the long adjustable spanner 

[Pimento]

The kergan - genius!! 

Jrko - just one problem - I'm left-handed!! 

[arugula]

Yes borrow a tool.

[Pimento]

Thanks, Argyllie...

Given my lack of foresight i don't think I need to borrow one!

[JayG]

Although they'd need to look like an orangutan. 

Ahem! 

Unfortunately I am now quite old for an orangutan and replacing the nut on my water butt tap nearly put me in casualty recently, plus you probably wouldn't be able to afford me (fresh figs are sooooooo expensive!) 

A suitably sized socket and extension would work with a bit of creativity (and possibly grease) to stop the nut falling out of the socket as you try to start the thread, but in truth the easiest way is to find someone relatively young who also has long arms. 

[savbo]

taping the nut to a wrench and then taping that to an broomhandle might work to hold it until the tap is tightened ebnough -then rip tape away with twisting action?

[Pimento]

Tee hee, JayG... I'm right out of figs. Yes, I agree a young person seems practical. Which is probably why the idea of dangling a three-year-old by the ankles was the first solution to spring to mind.

Savbo, that's exactly the kind of contraption I'll probably end up making. Fortunately no one will be videoing. If tomorrow's weather's as bad as today's I might well give it a crack in the kitchen. If so, I'll let you know how it goes..... 

[grendel]

cut a nut width slot in the end of a plank and use it as a wrench and nut holder. hold the nut in place with blu tac.
Grendel