Spring's sprung so the top needs to start cycling and it's pump relief valve time.
Got the thing out on the bench and the T30 plug wasn't going to undo.
Finally I stuck the end of my Weller soldering iron (the sort with a transformer in the handle to pass a hefty current through the bit itself to heat it)
Gave it two full minutes and it undid as easy as pie.
Hope that helps others.
Thanks to Gus for his excellent work on this problem.
The last thing I would do is kick him in the teeth but he's already stated that he's not for profit and with the strong dollar + postage to Europe for those here who want to DIY
The 'pesky plug' is 1/8 BSPP
The brass plug is trickier, it is actually 7/16 UNF. 7/16 to BSP converters are readily available.
I got a valve preset to 1000 psi for €14 P+P incl. but, in deference to the US Company that's so kindly made the kit available, I'll leave it to those who want to have a go rather than buy a hassle-free kit to source their own bits.

 

So heat looks like the answer.

 

Steve, Great idea with the soldering iron---that's what i love about this forum!

 

Yes, it cooks the Loctite.
I tried an old fashioned blowlamp heated iron, no good
A bit of steel heated red hot and placed on the plug several tilmes, no good
After a real good cooking it just felll out.

 

awe man, where were you 3 months ago? I had a soldering iron in the closet while i twisted off a torx bit inside it.

 

I know, it was your post that made me find a solution.
What's it like being a Martyr?

 

I've added port thread details to the first post for DIY'ers

 

A guy who purchased the relief kit called me this week to say he had good luck with heating. In his case he used a torch in quick doses as that is what he had. The key is getting past 300F. The change in the locktite that shows around the plug is a good clue to when it is hot enough.

SteveinFrance, I'm curious to know where you got a calibrated relief valve for that price. I did quite a bit of research to find the one we are supplying but would be very interested in dropping the cost. The price you mentioned is much less than what we are paying to the point of being too good to be true.

 

From these folk on-line
Welcome To Flowfit Online
Preset valve type V0689/T.
and they were incredibly helpful, didn't charge for setting the pressure or delivery!
It looks identical with the one you're using, made in Italy like a lot of our hydraulic stuff.
Re heating, I suppose if you had a really needle sized OA flame you could get away with it but I'd have £££ (or $$$) signs blinding me!
The old Weller worked brilliantly and is completely safe.
I'm embarrassed not to have bought your kit with all the work that's gone into sorting it but with carriage, duty this end and the strong $ it really is a lot for your poor European cousins.

 

Yes, selling into the Euro zone is a problem. The only practical means for shipping has been mail. UPS and FedEx charge a fortune. Then there is the VAT. You should start supplying the kit to the Euro market.

I'll check out your Italian source and see what we can do. If we buy enough of them the cost of shipping becomes more reasonable.

 

If you're bulk buying I'd go direct to the manufacturer.
http://www.hydromaster.it/documenti/...RESS%20MAX.pdf
If the bits fit + it works maybe a non-profit distribution in Europe would be a good idea

 

I have had very good success with International Priority Mail to Europe. Most of my products fit in a small flat rate box. The cost is reasonalble and it arrives in 7-10 days. Unfortunately you do not have tracking though. For items under $200-300, I think it is a reasonable risk.

 

It took some research but we have been shipping kits to Europe using Priority Mail at about 1/3 the cost of FedEx or UPS. Strangely enough a package is delivered to the UK or Sweden faster than we get to many parts of the US by UPS or FedEx Ground. The lack of tracking keeps us from using USPS as a regular thing but it is a reasonable risk for one item. A Relief Valve Kit to the UK is $20-25 via USPS and about $85 via UPS. USPS advertises "tracking" but that stops as soon as it leaves the US.

I am in contact with the Italian supplier and they are preparing a quote regarding various quantities. Assuming that works out we will get one in so we can get the hoses sorted and adjust cost accordingly. The market for this is very small so the factory direct thing doesn't carry much weight. The factory tends to price in a way that protects their distributors unless the $ volume is over some threshold.

For the record I did this because it needed to be done and no one else stood up.

 

Walt,
I'm more than happy to provide a shopping list for European users for the valve + hoses.
The company that made up my hoses will keep the spec and all users need to do is ask for 'Steve's kit' or whatever.I just don't want to tread on any toes.
I do want to test it first.