1930 Central Brass lawn faucet bonnet packing dome shaped washer replacement

[KinLI]

Well I have two of my exterior “lawn faucets“ leaking out the stems now. The spigots were installed when the house was built in 1929-1930. Made by Central Brass and then called “lawn faucets”, so much nicer sounding than spigots!

I have measured the size needed as 3/4 outside diameter, 3/8 inside diameter and a dome shape. Please see the photos.

unfortunately it seems this size is no longer in manufacture, or at least my google search doesn’t want to provide obscure sources…..

i do not want to have to replace all the faucets just because of the washers… the spigots go through very thick stucco walls so this would not be a pleasant task.... so hopefully someone knows a plumbing supply house that has new old stock as a possibility here……. i need at least ten of these washers….

also, if someone can point me in the direction of getting a schematic of this old faucet from some archives, I would like to add it to the house information for future reference by others….

 

[KinLI]

Well I had written an email to Pioneer Industries which owns Central Brass Mfg Company, and they kindly and quickly responded as follows:


The part number of the washer you're looking for is X977. (click on the parts breakdown link below of our lawn faucet)

https://files.plytix.com/api/v1.1/f.../e3/57/5f/5f57e3fcfa3d1e12fff83a8a/0576_P.pdf

This item comes in a pack of 10. Click on the link below for a vendor that sells this item.

https://www.chicagofaucetshoppe.com...9iGN1WdfmCIm54eNeue44VfLUckxAXRZmuUvANe69R3je

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Fitter30]

Supply houses of today don't stock anything that doesn't sell in 6 months. They put it in a scrap barrel or on a table with deeply discounted stuff. I'm amazed they might have what you need. Most companies have been bought and sold 3+ times. Contact them again who might have them and cross your fingers.

 

[KinLI]

Then Chicago Faucet Shoppe is a rarity…. I have used them in the past but as I did not have a part number i could not find what I needed on their website….. fortunately the manufacturer came through with the schematic and the part number….

the following is directly from Chicago Faucet’s website …..

EXPERTISE AND CONVENIENCE​

We don’t just spout our knowledge…we proudly put it to the test!

Our team excels at sourcing hard-to-find, discontinued, vintage, high-end replacement parts and fixtures. However, that’s not all we’re great at!

Our extensive warehouse serves all commercial industries, including bars, restaurants, hospitality, salons, pet grooming, and residential plumbing needs. Whether you're a homeowner, DIYer, building engineer, contractor, plumber, or anything in between, we have the products and expertise to meet your project needs. No project is too big or too small!

SHOPPE WITH CONFIDENCE​

Not sure what you need? You’re at the right Shoppe! Our knowledgeable customer representatives and parts specifiers are here to assist you online or over the phone. We also bring the Shoppe’s counter to you with our complimentary parts identification service. Our exclusive insight is only a click away when you Email Samples!

 

[KinLI]

I also now have a response from Danco as to what they make in the way of packing washers that might fit, and here is what the rep wrote:

Thank you for your interest in Danco products. The bonnet packing we offer that is the closest to your original packing washer is our #20 Bonnet Packing (35189).

Danco products can be purchased through The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Menard's, Do-It-Best stores, Amazon.com, and many other retailers of Danco products. If the part is not available on the shelf, ask for assistance from an associate in the plumbing department. They may be able to special order it for you. We do not sell directly to consumers.

If you or the store associate needs assistance while at the store, please contact our Customer Service department at 800-523-5135 and one of our Customer Service associates will gladly assist.

Regards,
Phil

Senior Technical Support Representative
Danco, Inc.
2727 Chemsearch Blvd, Irving, TX 75062
p: 800.523.5135
e: Support@Danco.com

 

[Fitter30]

Then Chicago Faucet Shoppe is a rarity…. I have used them in the past but as I did not have a part number i could not find what I needed on their website….. fortunately the manufacturer came through with the schematic and the part number….

the following is directly from Chicago Faucet’s website …..

​

EXPERTISE AND CONVENIENCE​

We don’t just spout our knowledge…we proudly put it to the test!

Our team excels at sourcing hard-to-find, discontinued, vintage, high-end replacement parts and fixtures. However, that’s not all we’re great at!

Our extensive warehouse serves all commercial industries, including bars, restaurants, hospitality, salons, pet grooming, and residential plumbing needs. Whether you're a homeowner, DIYer, building engineer, contractor, plumber, or anything in between, we have the products and expertise to meet your project needs. No project is too big or too small!

SHOPPE WITH CONFIDENCE​

Not sure what you need? You’re at the right Shoppe! Our knowledgeable customer representatives and parts specifiers are here to assist you online or over the phone. We also bring the Shoppe’s counter to you with our complimentary parts identification service. Our exclusive insight is only a click away when you Email Samples!

Danco 35189B #20 Fiber Stem Bonnet Packing 3/4 O.D. x 3/8 I.D. in. (Pack of 5) | eBay

Repairing a leaky. Danco 36642B Rubber Slip Joint Washer 1-7/16 x 1-3/16 x 1/8 in. Danco 35074B Durable Rubber #1/4M Flat Faucet Washer 37/64 O.D. in. Danco 35872B Durable Rubber #92 Faucet O-Ring 3/4 x 1/2 x 1/8 in.

www.ebay.com

 

[KinLI]

www.amazon.com/Danco-35228W-Bonnet-Packing-Wall/dp/B0768HJDFV

Thanks! I am going with the Central part from Chicago Faucet as it will be an exact fit….. just trying to see what other plumbing parts I might need in the near future so I can economize on the shipping cost in one order…. Already know I will be getting two extra complete lawn faucet units, two extra complete stem assemblies, and at least ten bonnet washers….. I like to be prepared….

The eBay link to the Danco packing washers would be $19.06 for ten washers. The Amazon link is for only one Danco washer for $8.92. Chicago Faucet is $3.64 for a ten pack.

 

[KinLI]

Yikes! I just got another reply from Danco…. The above one was from “technical support” but this one is from “customer service“ and has a differentiated part number as a replacement……. I wrote them both the same inquiry email.

Here is the latest Danco reply:

Thank you for your interest in Danco products and for your inquiry. After researching we came up with our #20 Bonnet Packing (35189B) as the closest match for watch you are looking for. The #20 Bonnet Packing (35189B) has a 3/4 in. OD x 3/8 in. ID x 9/32 in. wall and is available to be ordered by our retail partners.
Danco products can be purchased through The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Menard's, Do-It-Best stores, Amazon.com, and many other retailers of Danco products. If the part is not available on the shelf, ask for assistance from an associate in the plumbing department. They may be able to special order it for you. We do not sell directly to consumers.

If you or the store associate needs assistance while at the store, please contact our Customer Service department at 800-523-5135 and one of our Customer Service associates will gladly assist.

Regards,
Seth

 

[GReynolds929]

Post #8 and #5 show the same part number. The B usually denotes bulk packaging.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Good luck with this repair.... I hope you have a shut off to this valve inside the home just in case
the patient dies on the table and it cannot be repaired .....

Hopefully the seat body is still in good shape and it is salvageable.... you can easily replace the washers
but that is only half the battle.... and you can easily just get some threaded packing that would work fine
under the cap of the faucet... but if the seat is gone then you are screwed...

I have changed washers before on some of these but most times it was a temporary fix....
Installing a new NIBCO brass boiler drain always ended up in failure because the galvanized threads were mostly rotten and gone and it would not make a good seal any longer....

its a fun experiment that is not going to cost you very much but I would be careful

 

[KinLI]

Post #8 and #5 show the same part number. The B usually denotes bulk packaging.

Thanks for that insight! I learn something new at least every day. i thought there might be variations - A, B, etc. Central Brass has letter codes on its faucets such as CP for chrome plate and RC for rough chrome, but no letters for rough brass……

 

[KinLI]

Good luck with this repair.... I hope you have a shut off to this valve inside the home just in case
the patient dies on the table and it cannot be repaired .....

Hopefully the seat body is still in good shape and it is salvageable.... you can easily replace the washers
but that is only half the battle.... and you can easily just get some threaded packing that would work fine
under the cap of the faucet... but if the seat is gone then you are screwed...

I have changed washers before on some of these but most times it was a temporary fix....
Installing a new NIBCO brass boiler drain always ended up in failure because the galvanized threads were mostly rotten and gone and it would not make a good seal any longer....

its a fun experiment that is not going to cost you very much but I would be careful

Hahaha! Yes indeed a fun experiment! Caution is my middle name; the shutoff valve is inside and has been engaged already.

 

[KinLI]

Off direct topic, but in my search for Central Brass I came across an archive of The Architectural Record that contained an ad from its December 1921 issue for white vitreous china bathroom faucets that I found intriguing, so I am sharing it here:

 

[KinLI]

A further tidbit of info about this particular Central Brass lawn faucet, per the company’s engineering department, the seat is not removable.

 

[bigb56]

We have a place here that specializes in all the older parts. Used to be Mom and Pop and those 2 knew everything, they could take one look at a 100 year old stem and know what it was and go into the back and bring one out. They were from NY. I never saw them without a cigarette going and the place was thick with smoke, no exaggeration, and if you didn't like it shop somewhere else. But they passed on and now run by one of the sons but he seems to take after the old folks (except for the cigarettes). The good thing about the son taking over is now it's on the internet. Here is a link:

Bonnets Stems and Accessories, Inc.

Specializing in plumbing repair parts and accessories since 1988

bonnetsandstems.com

 

[KinLI]

We have a place here that specializes in all the older parts. Used to be Mom and Pop and those 2 knew everything, they could take one look at a 100 year old stem and know what it was and go into the back and bring one out. They were from NY. I never saw them without a cigarette going and the place was thick with smoke, no exaggeration, and if you didn't like it shop somewhere else. But they passed on and now run by one of the sons but he seems to take after the old folks (except for the cigarettes). The good thing about the son taking over is now it's on the internet. Here is a link:

Bonnets Stems and Accessories, Inc.

Specializing in plumbing repair parts and accessories since 1988

bonnetsandstems.com

Great! Thanks for sharing the link ….