Delta 1300 & 1400 Cartridge Puller Removal Tool

Review of Slim Gem Delta Valve Puller ToolIn my DIY history, I have found what separates me from a pro is usually one of three things: 1. Knowledge (including nomenclature), 2. Strength / Dexterity, and 3. Tools. With YouTube, problem #1 is almost non-existent. This cartridge puller tool solves problems #2 and #3 in one fell swoop.I had a leaking Delta shower where I correctly diagnosed the problem--a worn out Delta cartridge. I bought an OEM replacement, watched a few videos, and was ready to perform this apparently very simple task. However, when I got to the part where you "simply" "remove the cartridge" it would not come out. I pulled as much as I dared, but knew that if I bent or broke the valve body (or connecting water lines) I was screwed and could cause me to have to blow out the entire tile shower to fix it. Maybe I was just not strong enough to pull it out, or maybe I did not have the right technique. I'm not sure, and will never know because I bought the right tool which solved the problem.I watched a YouTube video once (the instructions were on a sticker on the tool also but unless you know all the lingo the instructions were not that helpful), and in seconds (literally) I had the old valve out. When I say it was no sweat, I mean it was super easy. A few minutes to **carefully** get out the calcium deposits that were holding the cartridge in, and the new cartridge slid right in and the shower was (ALMOST) back in operation (see below).This tool was the most expensive DIY tool I have purchased to date, but even at one hundred and seventy-five dollars it was a bargain. First, I'm sure this would have been the cost of a plumber to come do the job. Second, even the plumber might have bent or broken the valve body to get the cartridge out. Third, I still have the tool for the next shower problem. Fourth, this thing is a work of metal art. Custom made like a military grade grenade for this one purpose. Fifth, I know how to solve this problem next time and I have the satisfaction of a job well done.PRO TIP: You must turn off the power to the electric hot water heater(s) and the water off to the whole house before you start fixing the shower. Then, remember to turn the both back on in reverse order (water then power). Leave a faucet in the bathroom on before you restore power to make sure the water heater tanks are full before you start heating the water.As to the ALMOST issue mentioned above, problem #1 came back around this morning for the first shower. The old cartridge had an obvious way to set the stop for how hot the water can get. The new one had no markings and the packaging had no directions on how to do it. After all, they expect a pro to be using this. Naturally, it was set to stoopid lukewarm at the factory because nobody ever died from a lukewarm shower (although I almost did). After my wife had to flee the lukewarm shower to go to another bathroom, I had to DIY problem solve again. The new cartridge had a quasi-hidden adjustment (problem #1) that was not obvious nor mentioned anywhere. I removed the handle and turned the adjustment counter-clockwise while pulling out (problem #2) until I could not turn it further. Result = hot shower a day late.In case you are curious, I was working with Delta OEM cartridge RP46074. It was twice as expensive as the after market version, but I didn't want to do the job twice. This is the cartridge with the gray part that is visible. The tool bites into two sides of the old cartridge during removal. I supposed the cartridge could be used again even with the marks because they do not go all the way through. So, if you weren't sure what you needed, you could pull the cartridge with this tool, take pictures, put it back in, go to HD or Amazon and buy what you needed. However, I recommend having the new cartridge before pulling the old. The outside color is all I needed to be sure. Again with problem #1, the tool says it works with 1300 and 1400 series cartridges, but 46074 does not have a 1300 nor a 1400 in it and nothing really helps me know which one (if either) was mine. I rolled the dice on the tool working with "modern" versions, and the one I have is the slightly newer of the two available. I didn't really know which cartridge I had, so I bought one of each and opened and used the one I needed and will return the other one. A pro would know what 1300 and1400 means and that the words valve and cartridge are used interchangeably, but are, in fact, two very different parts (this tool pulls the cartridge NOT the valve body). Each new DIY problem is a venture down a new problem #1 name game trail. Take notes, so you don't have to go down the same trail again.

I was replacing a shower cartridge and couldn't pull the old one out. Was at the point of putting a lot of force on it and thought I might break the cartridge or worse, pipes in the wall. Took a break to give it some thought and checked to see if there was a special tool to pull these cartridges out, and here you go. I put the brass bonnet ring back on the old cartridge so I could turn the house water back on and just live with the clogged old cartridge for another week until this tool arrived.I suggest you look up some online videos for how to use this tool, and also videos of people who are dealing with getting the remains of cartridges they broke out of the valve body. One tip is that you don't need to screw this all the way onto the valve body until the threads bottom out, which I did. You won't hurt anything but the tool will then only have enough stroke to pull the cartridge part way out, so you will have to loosen the thumb screws, then back the tool off the valve body a good number of turns, before resetting the tool and tightening the thumb screws for a second pull. I had the old crusty cartridge out in only a few minutes with minimal effort.When reinstalling your new cartridge you can use this tool to evenly press it all the way into the valve body, just don't tighten the thumbscrews, no need to do so when pressing it in. Maybe use some silicone grease on the O-rings so it goes in easily.FYI if you had the idea of using this tool to pull a cartridge for cleaning or inspection, I don't recommend that. The thumbscrews are pointed on the inside and bite into the plastic of the old cartridge. They only put dimples in mine, but if you really tightened them down firmly you might cause damage that would leak if you put it back in and tried to re-use it.My assumption is the cost of this tool and a real Delta cartridge is a little less than having a real plumber come over to do the job, but I didn't call around to check. If you have other baths in your house with the same valve, which I do, you may get another occasion to use it and will be glad you have it.In conclusion, given the cost of this tool, you might try pulling your old cartridge out by hand first and maybe you will get lucky. If it is stuck in there really well and you are getting ready to put some serious force on it, might be best to put it back together and order this tool. The manufacturer has paid me nothing for the endorsement.

I was excited to see this new tool, making a very difficult job much easier, but I was disappointed when the tool broke the second time I used it