Hello all, anyone know where I can get a 1998 Rapid 7 buddy bottle valve to replace my one that is lekking ie not closing when recharged?
It looks like its a simple "ball bearing" type.
My other bottle of the same age is fine.
I suppose the next question is ..........can it be replaced by me with simple tools?
Regards, Colin.
Has it got 3 cut outs round the base od the valve if so you can buy a tool off best fittings to remove the valve .. if its a 280cc bottle its a m14 if its a 400cc bottle its m18
DR BOB!!!
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/misc/drbob/websize/qf.JPG)
He includes them in his QF kits....
He sells them on his website...Give him a Call!!
Stuart
I managed to remove the valves from a couple of buddy bottles without too much of a struggle, I pushed and held the valve pip off the valve seat with a thin metal rod and heated the bottle neck with a hot air blower, allowing the expanding air in the bottle to escape. Bottle in a vice with lined jaws and gave the spanner a sharp crack with hammer to break the seal. Had one where the valve thread would just not loosen with the tools and equipment I have so took it to a local dive centre where I get my cylinders re-filled. They removed the valve easily in their workshop. Fitting the new valve was easy, just needed firmly nipping up on its O ring seal.
Well with all my BB here in the states....
None of the valves had Loctite on the threads!!
Both the Ball-Bearing valves and the black Acetal stem valves
But they were Torque On Pretty Good!!
So I had one my client/friend owed me a favor...
He Laser cut a bunch of wrenches out of Stainless Steel for me!
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/air/websize/valve8.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/air/websize/valve5.jpg)
I also had him Punch a 1/2" square hole so I could use a Breaker Bar on it!!
So No Heat, just had to clamp down good in my vise..
Stuart
Quote from: Ca_Varminter on March 22, 2026, 11:37:20 PMWell with all my BB here in the states....
None of the valves had Loctite on the threads!!
Both the Ball-Bearing valves and the black Acetal stem valves
But they were Torque On Pretty Good!!
So I had one my client/friend owed me a favor...
He Laser cut a bunch of wrenches out of Stainless Steel for me!
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/air/websize/valve8.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/air/websize/valve5.jpg)
I also had him Punch a 1/2" square hole so I could use a Breaker Bar on it!!
So No Heat, just had to clamp down good in my vise..
Stuart
Looks great Buddy :) ;)
I've had easy valves and pigs.
Two I cut the 1/4 BSP tip off and knocked an impact bit into the bores.
There shouldn't be any loctite but they are tightened to 60 lbs/ft plus years of 200 bar+ pressure and potential for some aluminum corrosion.
Quote from: Squinty on April 03, 2026, 06:20:42 PMI've had easy valves and pigs.
Two I cut the 1/4 BSP tip off and knocked an impact bit into the bores.
There shouldn't be any loctite but they are tightened to 60 lbs/ft plus years of 200 bar+ pressure and potential for some aluminum corrosion.
Thanks for the info Squinty.
I think I've come to the conclusion that to repair this spare bottle I purchased second hand is all too hard and diffucult.
So, being mainly aluminium, does it go into the recycling rubbish or the general landfill council bin ?????
Recycling bin. Lot of food and drinks packaging that goes for recycling is ali alloy.
Quote from: ColinH on April 03, 2026, 06:33:10 PMQuote from: Squinty on April 03, 2026, 06:20:42 PMI've had easy valves and pigs.
Two I cut the 1/4 BSP tip off and knocked an impact bit into the bores.
There shouldn't be any loctite but they are tightened to 60 lbs/ft plus years of 200 bar+ pressure and potential for some aluminum corrosion.
Thanks for the info Squinty.
I think I've come to the conclusion that to repair this spare bottle I purchased second hand is all too hard and diffucult.
So, being mainly aluminium, does it go into the recycling rubbish or the general landfill council bin ?????
recycling bin👍
Quote from: ColinH on April 03, 2026, 06:33:10 PMThanks for the info Squinty.
I think I've come to the conclusion that to repair this spare bottle I purchased second hand is all too hard and diffucult.
So, being mainly aluminium, does it go into the recycling rubbish or the general landfill council bin ?????
The tip, sorry the "recycling centre" has a bin for gas cylinders, although it seems a waste, where are you in Devon ? I'd give it a go.
ahh..complete with valve... cylinder disposal bin at the tip or Angrybear if he's close enough.
Quote from: angrybear on April 10, 2026, 02:37:14 PMQuote from: ColinH on April 03, 2026, 06:33:10 PMThanks for the info Squinty.
I think I've come to the conclusion that to repair this spare bottle I purchased second hand is all too hard and diffucult.
So, being mainly aluminium, does it go into the recycling rubbish or the general landfill council bin ?????
Exmouth.
The tip, sorry the "recycling centre" has a bin for gas cylinders, although it seems a waste, where are you in Devon ? I'd give it a go.
Well I'm near Broadclyst & happy to have a go at the valve.
Quote from: angrybear on April 12, 2026, 12:38:52 AMWell I'm near Broadclyst & happy to have a go at the valve.
Hi angerybear, thanks for the replies. Are you offering to try to remove this leaking valve from my bottle if I brought it over to you?
Cheers, Colin.
Yep, I'll have a go if it's otherwise getting scrapped, a third party can get a bit more brutal than an owner will. ;)