how to fix broken plastic valve handle on portable air tanks

[TrentonJ]

If you have a portable air tank it likely has a manifold similar to the one pictured here with a red plastic valve handle. There is no need to buy a whole new manifold when the red plastic valve handle/wheel breaks.

red plastic valve handle prone to break off

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Cut a strip of leather about 1/4 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the valve stem. Cut a ring of nominal 1/2 inch diameter EMT (electrical metal tube - a type of electrical conduit) about 1/4 inch wide and debur it. Turn the valve to the off position. Now hold the leather in place with one side of the EMT ring and crimp the other end hard with a pair of adjustable long-handled pliers.

the fix

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[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Pretty sharp idea, I have replaced a couple because of that over the years. Never was sharp enough to come up with your idea though.