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How to replace footpath inspection cover?

Someone stole this plate. (*See photos) on my footpath and I have had Darebin council telling me its my responsibily and I have to pay for it. Its an inspection point for my storm water pipe I think. Where can I get one of these or something to close the hole?

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Noyade

Evening Punky @Punky100

"telling me its my responsibily and I have to pay for it."

Are you saying Council have the covers, but you have to pay for it - or - the original covers no longer exist, but you still need to get it covered?

If the latter - I'd love to try and make one outta steel for you. No cost.

Would council approve?

Are the screw holes still viable? I take it the original cover had a ridge that follows that groove - I couldn't replicate that.

Let me know if you're interested.

Cheers!

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/40744#Comment_40744

@NoyadeOh thank you so much that would be an amazing thing if you could possibly make one. I think I could get away with a flat plate no ridge around the edge. I assume the screw holes are still viable as someone unscrewed it to take it. The council were no help whatsoever, its all on me. Im not sure how to put my contact details on here. I have fb messenge

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/82521#Comment_82521

Hello @Punky100

If you click on your name beside your profile picture a menu will drop down and you'll see the word "Private Messages". You can click on that and send a message to @Noyade.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106041#Comment_106041

Thank you

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/40744#Comment_40744

* yes the original covers no longer exist

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/82523#Comment_82523

Through the personal message department I made contact with @Punky100 and I asked for an accurate profile be made and sent to me. I was thinking of soft cardboard laid on the casting and a rolling pin pressed over it - hopefully indenting an accurate line.

Would anyone else have other ideas?

Cheers.

Need profile of the inner aspect.

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106044#Comment_106044

Hi yeah I was thinking of it overnight and can use some paper over a cover further down the street to make a tracing of the same cover lid

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120179#Comment_120179

That would be perfect @Punky100 ! 👍

Especially the bolt placement. And I think they are small bolts, possibly imperial considering the age of these things - there would be a thread cut into the casting.

(I don't know why, but I assumed the intact cover photo you posted above was prior to the theft.)

Don't get arrested! 😁

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128858#Comment_128858

Haha I did think about taking one from up the street tbh but thought that was too risky. I think they are more like screws. I did the paper template and sent it iff. Thanks heaps for your help. No plumbers can help me without outrageous costs

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134363#Comment_134363

Cheers for that @Punky100

Whether they be screws or threaded bolts - unless you can lock this plate down, then nothing will stop another Suburban Melbournite from flogging it again - no?

Bunnings may have security bolts/screws - something like you see on car registration plates. Just something to consider.

Cheers.

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137898#Comment_137898

Oh yeah I have indeed been thinking of that and was thinking of the screws. I reckon they would be more likely to steal the fancy antique ones 5 metres up than a plain steel one though. I will do my best to make it hard to steal.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137898#Comment_137898

@Punky100,

We have a range of security screws that you could use.

Mitchell

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140298#Comment_140298

They look good Mitchell! @MitchellMc

While I wait for your tracing @Punky100 I've acquired 150mm X 5mm steel plate and welded two ends to accommodate what I think is around 170mm diameter, based on your tape measure photo above. Some white spray paint to help scribe.

I'm hoping to make the two attachment lugs from the curved off-cuts.

Cheers.

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142029#Comment_142029

Awesome thanks so much for doing this. Please advise me of any material and postage costs

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143284#Comment_143284

It's all good thanks @Punky100

I love being outside and tinkering. I'm not a smart man - but I like trying to solve problems like this, plus it helps keep dementia away (I hope).

Unfortunately I have no 'workshop' and rain is predicted this weekend.

Sorry - no mail from you today.

Maybe next week. 👍

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144210#Comment_144210

Evening @Punky100

I received your template in the mail today but could only manage a late start. Based on your paper cutout it appears to be 6 1/8" in diameter, or around 156 mm plus the bolt tags.

Just a thought - but being old and imperial I was kinda thinking 6" neat sounds likely? Just to confirm, is the paper template the outer edge of the cast iron plate or the inner edge of the cast iron fitting, that the plate sits in. There is a small gap in your photo above of the un-stolen fitting.

At the moment I'm going with 156mm.

I will get to it more on Wednesday. Cheers!

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144892#Comment_144892

Hi Noyade I took about 2mm of all around the perimeter on my paper to ensure its not such a tight fit in case there are discrepancies . I would hate for it not to fit. A small gap between the lid and the seperate border would be fine in this case. The holes line up though. Im not sure of measurements as I did a tracing.

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144892#Comment_144892

Thanks that looks great so far thanks so much. If its the same size as the paper template it will fit as I tried ot in the hole

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145427#Comment_145427

Evening @Punky100

Worked today - so only got a little time to grind the shape this afternoon. Ugly storm clouds are in the sky.

But I think I'm finished. I followed your template as best I could.

Went to the Post Office and got an envelope and will post it tomorrow.

Painted it white just now.

I'm not as confident as you - I think I only have to be 1mm out and it will not fit. Especially the bolt/screw hole placement.

I drilled out 6mm holes with a large countersink.

I'm drinking a wine to wish us success. 😉

Cheers!

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145842#Comment_145842

It looks great seriously. It was a huge thing you did for me and I'm so thankful whether it fits or not. I can get my dad to help install it as I have problems with my hands. Again thankyou and please private message me so I can at least pay you for postage.

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146161#Comment_146161

G'day @Punky100

"I have problems with my hands."

I am sorry to read that.

If there are problems, please let me know. Maybe your dad can file or angle grind? The hole distance does concern me - but I'll wait and see.

Should it fit - just knowing a 'piece of me' is now residing on a Melbourne sidewalk - is enough reward for me.

I've just sent the parcel off.

Cheers

Graeme.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146431#Comment_146431

You're a gem in this community, @Noyade. Your generosity and skills absolutely floor me.

Mitchell

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146645#Comment_146645

I know right Noyade goes above and beyond. A treasure!

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146161#Comment_146161

I received the lid today Graeme and it fits the hole well. The screw holes seem to line up so all good. The thickness is great and you did a great job! Will get my dad to install the 2 screws/ bolts preferably with anti theft type. Cheers you're a legend

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146435#Comment_146435

Photo please @Punky100

Otherwise I will always have doubts. 😁

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146648#Comment_146648

Yep sure haha when I get the screws/bolts in I will send one

Punky100

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146826#Comment_146826

@Noyade success! I finally got dad over to put some screws in the plate. Its installed. Bit of trouble finding the screws. We went to Bunnings and cut some down to fit. See pics of plate in Melbourne street. Thank you so very much

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146972#Comment_146972

Looks great @Punky100.

This isn't the first time out of the goodness of his heart @Noyade has manufactured a custom solution to somebody's problem. He is truly a star in our wonderful community.

Thank you for all you do Noyade, you are truly appreciated here.

Jacob

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147087#Comment_147087

Thanks for the photos @Punky100 and thanks for the kind words @JacobZ and @MitchellMc.

But I'm amazed it fitted (looks like I could have left a bit more metal around the screw areas) and I was absolutely convinced they were bolts that had

snapped off in the casting. Hence drilling and tapping would need to have happened.

What security bolts/screws did your father go with?

Cheers and thanks.

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