Plumbing help - where to buy?

I need the handle to my water shutoff valve under the sink in a bathroom.

I checked Home Depot, Lowes, and a local indie plumbing store. None have what will work. I am even willing to buy the whole valve, but I'd rather just swap the handle instead of the whole valve.

It looks like this:

Seems Watts used to make them like this. Sometimes they are still available.

Are these going to have the correct double-D rotation lock?

http://www.amazon.com/Watts-LFPBQT-600-Quarter-Straight-8-Inch/dp/B003YFW7DQ/ref=sr_1_5?srs=2603518011&ie=UTF8&qid=1460136980&sr=8-5&keywords=valve+quarter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZJJB3A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3TX4YUK2VIRSQ

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Watts-PBQT-710-Quarter-Turn-Ball-Valve-5-8-Comp-x-3-8-Comp-FREE-SHIPPING-/271980470130?hash=item3f534c9f72:g:xbUAAOSwB4NWu3a1

Or is there a better option?

Take a multi tool and start checking restrooms?

A new quarter turn shutoff valve is like $10. I just replaced one a couple days ago.

T.J. wrote: A new quarter turn shutoff valve is like $10. I just replaced one a couple days ago.

And will take me an hour to wait until everyone's in bed, shutoff the main water supply, figure out how to remove and install a new one, turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Swapping the handle is the same cost, but about 1/10th the time and zero chances of anything else going wrong.

So... where can I get a handle like this?

TRoglodyte wrote: Take a multi tool and start checking restrooms?

You really want to get devious?

It's part of a home inspection, and they requested I fix it. I could steal one off another bathroom since they won't be looking at that other one.

But I'm a pretty honest dude, so I'd rather just fix it.

Is that real brass?

TRoglodyte wrote: Is that real brass?

I have no idea.

I'm not even sure how to tell without destructive testing.

Why did the handle break? Usually because the valve is seized up.

Home Depot can be a bear to find parts in, owing to the weird way they organize things.

It's the handle to a supply line valve, and they do have them in stock. $6-10 for the whole valve, which you can use the handle from to fit on yours. Sharkbite is a common one they stock.

It is likely over in the toilet section of the store, not the plumbing section where the copper pipes are. It might also be over in the sink section of the store.

If you've a Lowes, it will be in the plumbing section, usually as you first entire the aisle for small pipes and fittings.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Valves-Supply-Stop-Valves/N-5yc1vZca1p

BrokenYugo wrote: Why did the handle break? Usually because the valve is seized up.

It's missing. The valve works fine, just with pliers.

foxtrapper wrote: Home Depot can be a bear to find parts in, owing to the weird way they organize things. It's the handle to a supply line valve, and they do have them in stock. $6-10 for the whole valve, which you can use the handle from to fit on yours. Sharkbite is a common one they stock. It is likely over in the toilet section of the store, not the plumbing section where the copper pipes are. It might also be over in the sink section of the store. If you've a Lowes, it will be in the plumbing section, usually as you first entire the aisle for small pipes and fittings. http://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Valves-Supply-Stop-Valves/N-5yc1vZca1p

I found the same style valve in both stores, as well as the Indie place, but all three use a spline of some form rather than the double D.

Really I think I found the same style and brand with those links I posted. I just cannot verify the type of connection. I guess I'll just buy the one from Amazon since they have a fantastic return policy.

It's called a stop, not a valve. That might get you in the right place.

Is there something weird I am missing? It looks like a pretty run-of-the-mill supply line stop. Most new ones have a screw in the center (similar). Is there an odd cog it needs to fit over?

If there is an odd cog, take the old handle, grind the broken front off of it, then take a new stop handle and grind the back off of it. Epoxy them together and let the screw hold it all in place.

SVreX wrote: It's called a stop, not a valve. That might get you in the right place. Is there something weird I am missing? It looks like a pretty run-of-the-mill supply line stop. Most new ones have a screw in the center (similar). Is there an odd cog it needs to fit over? If there is an odd cog, take the old handle, grind the broken front off of it, then take a new stop handle and grind the back off of it. Epoxy them together and let the screw hold it all in place.

Eww!

Yes. The original one is a double D, whereas the ones available through stores are all splined.

And you're not reading carefully, there is no old broken handle, it's MIA.

In reply to SVreX:

And they are totally labelled stop valves everywhere I've seen.

You were writing at the same time I was.

The solution to your double D problem is in my previous post.

Oldest Ace hardware in your area? look for old stock?

tuna55 wrote: And you're not reading carefully, there is no old broken handle, it's MIA.

Umm... you're not writing carefully- you didn't say it was MIA..

Ok, I understand.

But I can't help you. I'd swap the whole VALVE (cough, cough) and be done in 15 minutes.

ok, I'm buying the one on Amazon I guess.

SVreX wrote:

tuna55 wrote: And you're not reading carefully, there is no old broken handle, it's MIA.

Umm... you're not writing carefully- you didn't say it was MIA..

Eight posts above yours.

TRoglodyte wrote: Oldest Ace hardware in your area? look for old stock?

The Ace's around here aren't anything special except they smell more authentic than HD or Lowes.

The store you are looking for is not part of a chain. It has no formal checkout lines, no online presence, no fancy colors in the logo, and you will feel very uncomfortable when you enter, cause everyone will turn and stare. It has a contractor's desk with stools where a lot of fat plumbers sit and bitch about politics and out-of-town contractors. Probably has the store name hand painted on the glass in the front window, and it's likely the last name of the founder, who is now dead. It has bins piled to the ceiling, and smells old. There are no employees under the age of 65. Wash your hands after shaking hands with anyone there. There is one identical store to this every few hundred miles.

Or, you could order from Amazon.

SVreX wrote: The store you are looking for is not part of a chain. It has no formal checkout lines, no online presence, no fancy colors in the logo, and you will feel very uncomfortable when you enter, cause everyone will turn and stare. It has a contractor's desk with stools where a lot of fat plumbers sit and bitch about politics and out-of-town contractors. Probably has the store name hand painted on the glass in the front window, and it's likely the last name of the founder, who is now dead. It has bins piled to the ceiling, and smells old. There are no employees under the age of 65. Wash your hands after shaking hands with anyone there. There is one identical store to this every few hundred miles. Or, you could order from Amazon.

Dude, I WENT there.

That was the Indie place. They took me in the back and walked around in the warehouse with my picture and tried to find a match and even disassembled many to see.

They were all splined.

And corn, plumbers bitch about corn.And women too

In reply to tuna55:

Like I said, change the valve. You could have finished the job in less time then it took to write this thread.