DIY Bulkheads

[zeblisik]

So I'm trying to put together my own bulkhead using threaded male and female bushings.

I'm going to be using 1" and 1.5" bulkheads.........however I am having a difficult time finding corresponding gaskets.

1. How tight should the gasket be around the male bushing? I got some on my 1.5" which are very tights diameter-wise
2. Where do you get yours?
3. Should gaskets be used on both sides of the glass?

I checked home depot but came up with very little, all their gaskets in the plumbing section are for standard sized parts for sinks and such.

 

[hawaiian_boi]

YOU COULD JUST GET SOME RUBBER AND CUT THEM YOURSELF...I USED A PIECE OF A RUBBER FLOOR MAT FOR A GASKET ONCE...I KNOW IT GETTO BUT IT WORKS WHEN YOU CANT FIND THE RIGHT SIZE

 

[zeblisik]

haha...
really... i wasnt sure if the gasket had to be very precise and without flaws. i guess it worked well then? no leaks?

hmmm... now if only i had a piece of rubber....

 

[RandyStacyE]

There are a lot of ways to do your own DIY Bulkheads. I just use O-rings. I happen to have a Harbor Freight store right near by and I picked up a big set of o-rings real cheap.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve seen flat round gaskets before, but I forget where, perhaps Loweââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s. Anyway you could use just about any combination of fittings just as long as it has a lip to seat the O-ring.

I ALWAYS use the o-ring on the inside. I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t think youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll need outside.

 

[RandyStacyE]

Oops, I double posted so I deleted it.

 

[H20ENG]

Always use the Oring on the male fitting, it can be inside or outside, like a bulkhead.
Also, if you use the Grey electrical conduit fittings, they screw together easily, as the threads are not tapered like pipe fittings

 

[zeblisik]

what are the grey electrical conduit fittings? I've not come accross them.

 

[RandyStacyE]

If you go to Lowes Home Depot etc... in the electrical section you'll find what looks like grey PVC.

 

[ChemE]

The grey conduit fittings from HD work perfectly.

It ups the cost a little, but in the same section (electrical) there are metallic waterproof conduit couplings that come in standard pipe sizes complete with a nice thick rubber gasket.

 

[zeblisik]

thanks very much! i will definetly check it out

 

[mzeinstr]

premium aquatics has bulkheads, they are not that expensive.....

 

[zeblisik]

those are quite cheap compared to everyone else. i'll know where to go if these dont work out

 

[H20ENG]

ChemE,
Youre not suggesting using those metallic "bulkheads" on a Sw system are you?
I hope you meant NON-metallic, which would be perfect I have not seen those, though. I'll have to check next time.
On the level control of our cooling tower, they used those pot metal adapters as bulkheads. They end up being sacrificial anodes that get replaced every two years

 

[RandyStacyE]

H20ENG

He's saying that the metalic coupling comes with a nice rubber gasket which he can be used.

 

[bmac]

most plumbing stores carry a flat piece of rubber usually 6x6 inches.....eighth inch thick.....most of the plumbing stores here carry it.

 

[ChemE]

Bingo

Bingo

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963546#post6963546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
H20ENG

He's saying that the metalic coupling comes with a nice rubber gasket which he can be used.

I sure hope everyone here on RC doesn't think I'm so stupid as to put cheap pot metal in SW! I was merely pointing out that a precut gasket could be scavenged from these otherwise totaly unsuitable parts.

 

[sales weasel]

I believe you can also go to the toilet repair section at Home Depot and find gaskets.

 

[H20ENG]

I knew you better than that, it just read funny to me. Hope I didnt offend you
Now if they only made those fittings in plastic!

 

[H20ENG]

Sales Weasel,
Please tell me more about this
"Teel Industrial Pump with Speed Controller"

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6965257#post6965257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20ENG
I knew you better than that, it just read funny to me. Hope I didnt offend you
Now if they only made those fittings in plastic!

Nah, I just couldn't resist giving you a hard time.