Hey Kevin, thank you so much for showing how simple it is to make your own shut off tool for water valves that are way deeper than what everyone else was showing that were accessible by hand, mine is about 4 feet down a small 4" pipe, thanks again and keep making these video and posting them for all of us that d.i.y., it really does save money to learn by watching others
I just googled prices for this tool and there selling for 20+dollars. So here I am looking for make one because there's nothing to it. Thxs for the video. Your tool will last longer then that valve lol great job
Nice video. I need to make such a tool myself, which is how I found this video. A suggestion though. That end piece, to fit the valve, could be made quite easily by bending flat stock at a red heat. It's easier to bend it in a vise into an arc (square corners not needed), over another piece of steel to stand in for the valve cock. If using 1/8" steel, a propane torch, like the Bernzomatic TS7000 and similar torches, provide enough heat for this job. Saves a lot of welding, and the width can be made precisely what you want.
Did it work? I got a similar tool at Home Depot for $20 it worked on one valve but the same valve on the house next door, the handle bent and valve didn't open. Called the water department. The guys on their truck have a tool with a handle twice-as long, shaft 50% thicker. That's what it took to do the second valve.
FYI- Not all cooperation are positioned the same….some are positioned standing straight up out of the main or tapping saddle!!! Some are positioned on the side of the service line as opposed to cutoff on the top of service line!!! If you have exposed the main and the cooperation a simple crescent wrench is much easier to use!!!! This tool is primarily used for “Curb Stops” which are located inside a meter box!!! To kill water going from meter to the house or outside hydrants!!!
@@Robinson-Homestead ok thanks I'm going to try with a 3/4 black pipe and put a 1/2 notch with a grinder. City put new valve in about 5 yrs ago so it shouldn't be to hard to turn. Thanks again
Hi there I've been trying to get my water valve turnd on but it seems impossible to turn the same valve that you made a tool for. Can you pls help me figure out why I'm not able to turn the valve on? Thank you
The socket idea would work for me since my water shut-off valve is easily accessible. Assuming the valve in this video is relatively standard size, what would be the THICKNESS of the socket channel that needs to be removed needed to fit over the shut-off valve (i.e., the opening width of your homemade tool that fits over the shut-off valve)?
That is a corp valve, which is located at the main. If you make it, it will be a little narrower for the curb box. Caution, some areas will fine you for illegal use of that!
Because everyone has a welding shop in their garage. Or they could run down to the hardware store and buy a water key for about $10 and be back home before this guy even began the welding part. Note: Depending on the utility, they will charge you a small fortune if you happen to damage their valve.
I am going to be making this for our stepson. Great job.
Sorry for the late response, but thank you for watching.
Hey Kevin, thank you so much for showing how simple it is to make your own shut off tool for water valves that are way deeper than what everyone else was showing that were accessible by hand, mine is about 4 feet down a small 4" pipe, thanks again and keep making these video and posting them for all of us that d.i.y., it really does save money to learn by watching others
+Randy H Thank you for your comment.
I just googled prices for this tool and there selling for 20+dollars. So here I am looking for make one because there's nothing to it. Thxs for the video. Your tool will last longer then that valve lol great job
Thank you wonnieboy good luck on your build.
I wish I had the tools required to make this tool.
Nice video. I need to make such a tool myself, which is how I found this video.
A suggestion though. That end piece, to fit the valve, could be made quite easily by bending flat stock at a red heat. It's easier to bend it in a vise into an arc (square corners not needed), over another piece of steel to stand in for the valve cock. If using 1/8" steel, a propane torch, like the Bernzomatic TS7000 and similar torches, provide enough heat for this job. Saves a lot of welding, and the width can be made precisely what you want.
Thank you for the comment.
Or you could just buy the key at a hardware store for a few bucks as opposed to the 1,000's of dollars it would cost to set up a welding shop.
Did it work? I got a similar tool at Home Depot for $20 it worked on one valve but the same valve on the house next door, the handle bent and valve didn't open. Called the water department. The guys on their truck have a tool with a handle twice-as long, shaft 50% thicker. That's what it took to do the second valve.
The tool is working great so far thank you for the comment.
so is it just a half inch slot? Mine is already in the ground this would be helpful.
Yes it is 1/2 ''
FYI- Not all cooperation are positioned the same….some are positioned standing straight up out of the main or tapping saddle!!! Some are positioned on the side of the service line as opposed to cutoff on the top of service line!!! If you have exposed the main and the cooperation a simple crescent wrench is much easier to use!!!! This tool is primarily used for “Curb Stops” which are located inside a meter box!!! To kill water going from meter to the house or outside hydrants!!!
Thanks for watching.
What's the width of the valve? In other words, how much opening is needed on the key part to fit over the valve?
Great video!
Thank you Atomic Man.
Great video, thanks for the education.
I love welding videos projects .......Thanks Don M.....
+Donald Marland thank you for your comment.
What about a grinder welder and torches
That works.
@@Robinson-Homestead yeah and maybe a roll or f electrical tape and plenty of zip ties lol
Hey Kevin, what is the width of the valve stem/turn off for the tool to fit over? Looks between 3/8" and 1/2" ?
More like the 1/2 thanks James.
THT WAS A GREAT JOB NICE WORK
Glad you enjoyed it thank you.
You very welcome
Thanks for the video. If you cut a 1/2 notch in 1" galv pipe will it be strong enough to turn??
You could try and see it should Rush.
@@Robinson-Homestead ok thanks I'm going to try with a 3/4 black pipe and put a 1/2 notch with a grinder. City put new valve in about 5 yrs ago so it shouldn't be to hard to turn. Thanks again
@@Rush50101 you're welcome
Very nice job ,thank you!From Out here in California !
Hi there I've been trying to get my water valve turnd on but it seems impossible to turn the same valve that you made a tool for. Can you pls help me figure out why I'm not able to turn the valve on? Thank you
Nice one my man.
Thanks Michael.
Thank you, good job
Thank you for watching intree sup.
Mine was 5'8" down in Minnesota.
Do you have any idea what it would look like? I am not to good with this stuff but I am willing to try. Thank you for everything.
Jeanne
it should look the same as the water valve jeanne.
Kevin is there a shut off valve for an underground gas tank for my pool? Thank you.
That is possible Jeanne.
i love the tool!
you can get one from home depot
In the old days, didn't the main shutoffs look like a cross and used a U-shaped tool?
I want to make one of these out of an old socket I'm just wondering what size socket I need to cut the u-shaped out of
Maybe 3/4 mite work Terry.
If you do that use a hardened impact socket, the chromoly ones are junk for loads of shear force.
The socket idea would work for me since my water shut-off valve is easily accessible. Assuming the valve in this video is relatively standard size, what would be the THICKNESS of the socket channel that needs to be removed needed to fit over the shut-off valve (i.e., the opening width of your homemade tool that fits over the shut-off valve)?
Must be a coal miner. Who else would have a roof bolt?
No im not a coal miner, not sure where it came from but thanks for watching.
That is a corp valve, which is located at the main. If you make it, it will be a little narrower for the curb box.
Caution, some areas will fine you for illegal use of that!
Thanks for the info
longer is better. Make the handle and use the rest of the rod as is.
Good tip
If you had just cut some grooves in that piece you cut off that would have been perfect.
Thanks for the comment.
I just made myself another one today before I ever watched this video kinda strange
Nice thanks for sharing.
@@Robinson-Homestead strange I made one then an hour later I see this video
Because everyone has a welding shop in their garage. Or they could run down to the hardware store and buy a water key for about $10 and be back home before this guy even began the welding part.
Note: Depending on the utility, they will charge you a small fortune if you happen to damage their valve.
Thanks for watching.
The fragile little $10 ones don’t even begin to work on my valve. The utility company had to come and use their homemade beast of a key.
@@raganmom Wow, that is unusual. If it's that hard to operate then yeah, better that they do it. If it breaks, it's on them.
@@raganmom The one I bought for $14 is made with what looks like double-thick rebar and it's heavy duty.
Buy thousands of dollars worth of equipment to make this tool, or spend $10 and buy it online.
I'd do the same... make one myself. it's more of a hobby and keep me busy instead of sitting down watching TV doing nothing during my retirement.