(This is the long‑form, over‑caffeinated, unnecessarily detailed edition. Congratulations in advance to anyone who makes it to the end. Truly, you are built different.)
The Flume MT Cock Type A 15mm Plain Shank is one of those products that does exactly what it says on the tin — which is refreshing, because in this trade, half the things we buy seem to come with hidden personality flaws. This little isolation valve, however, is the dependable, drama‑free companion every gas engineer secretly wants in their life. It turns, it stops, it isolates, it behaves. Honestly, if some appliances took notes from this thing, my working week would be a lot quieter.
Let’s start with the basics. The build quality is solid — not “crafted by ancient monks” solid, but definitely “I trust this not to snap off in my hand” solid. The shank is clean, the machining is tidy, and the action is smooth enough that you don’t feel like you’re wrestling a rusty submarine hatch. It fits neatly into a 15mm setup without the usual faffing, swearing, or questioning your career choices. It’s the kind of valve that makes you think, “Ah yes, this is why I got into gas engineering,” right before remembering that you still have three more jobs to do and it’s already 4pm.
But let’s address the elephant in the room — or rather, the keys that weren’t in my hand. Because, much like my recent copper pipe purchase, the only reason I’m even reviewing this valve is because I once again wasn’t smart enough to fetch my keys for the pipe tube or the parts locker. So there I was, standing in the aisle, buying a valve I absolutely already own, somewhere, probably, in a van compartment I definitely meant to organise six months ago.
So yes, this Flume MT Cock Type A is great. But did I buy it because I needed it? No. I bought it because I’m apparently incapable of keeping track of my own keys. At this point, I’m convinced the van is gas‑safe, but I’m not.
Still, if you’re going to make a shame‑purchase, this is a good one. The valve performs beautifully. It doesn’t leak, it doesn’t seize, and it doesn’t make you look incompetent in front of a customer — which is more than I can say for some fittings that seem to exist purely to ruin your day. The plain shank design is straightforward, no nonsense, and exactly what you want when you’re trying to get a job done without adding unnecessary complexity. It’s the kind of valve that quietly says, “Don’t worry mate, I’ve got this,” while you’re still mentally kicking yourself for forgetting your keys.
And because this is the extended review — the unnecessarily long, director’s‑cut, “why is he still talking about a valve?” edition — let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble isolation cock. It’s the unsung hero of the trade. Customers don’t notice it unless it fails, inspectors only glance at it, and apprentices think it’s boring. But we know better. We know that a good isolation valve can save a job, save a boiler, save a floorboard, and occasionally save your sanity.
This one, in particular, has a reassuring feel to it. You know that satisfying moment when you turn a valve and it just clicks into place like it was engineered by someone who actually cares? That’s this valve. No gritty resistance. No half‑turn ambiguity. No “is it off or is it pretending?” nonsense. Just a clean, confident shut‑off that makes you feel like a professional again, even if you did just spend ten minutes searching your pockets for keys that were never there.
So yes — five stars. Great valve. Highly recommend. Would buy again, though ideally next time I’ll remember to bring the keys for the parts tube so I don’t have to do the walk of shame through the shop like a man who has lost both his keys and his dignity.
And to anyone who made it all the way through this extended review: well done. You’ve shown more endurance than half the boilers I work on.
Nice part well made. easy to fit and works well. good price
Quick service.better price .very friendly staff will come back soon
Had a few of these now. Excellent product and easy to install.
hoped to use to prepare existing fitting however a smaller diameter of thread
Didn’t use the body just the sealing part got me out of bigger job
Good price and good quality plenty of stock quick and easy to use.
In stock... not just collect tomorrow... great price!! whats not to like!!
Purchased inorder to drain the water from a house that's closed during winter.
great little product. (Don't forget to unscrew end before soldering or the rubber washers will melt!)
Made4Trade MT Cock Type A 15mm Plain Shank made a good seal when hose on and draining .
Has all the seals ans solders well. Hoping for no drops!
Used to provide the ability to drain the pipe the feeds our outside tap in colder weather - the pipe that feeds it can be isolated inside our house.
This fitted neatly into the compression fitting on an equal tee and was of sufficient length to allow the olive to grip well without extending too far out. See photo. We will use this to admit air to the isolated pipe and the water will drain out of the tap.
I needed to close the valve in the drain cock using an adjustable spanner as it needs an 8mm key - larger than a normal radiator bleed valve. This was easy enough, but as we intend to use this regularly I will be looking to get a key for it.
I needed a drain cock, TS had it in stock at a good price. I ordered it online for Click & Collect, picked it up and installed it. It looks like the usual good quality I've come to expect from Made4Trade products, so I have no worries about it leaking or anything like that.
Not the easiest to solder for a DIYer, but once installed it seals very well compared to the older style of drain cock
Standard item but if brought at Toolstation one knows it is the correct quality.
Works well, and can be fitted to a compression joint.
Good quality brass fittings easy to install and use
Good sized draining fitting with good sized barrel for hose fitting . Does not look to obtrusive when fitted.
Does the job, easy to fit big thanks to Toolstation
