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Switching to Tri-Clamp heating element

 
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Chazhl




Joined: 14 Sep 2016
Posts: 1
Location: Lincoln, CA


PostLink    Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:23 pm    Post subject: Switching to Tri-Clamp heating element Reply with quote


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Due to some physical limitations I have developed I would like to change my existing "The Electric Brewery" heating element in my boil kettle to a Tri-Clamp version. This would allow me to more easily move my boil kettle for cleaning. The temperature probe seems pretty straight forward. I would purchase the pre made heating element from Kal along with a weldless bulkhead attachment from wherever. My concern is how to best enlarge the existing 1-1/4" hole to the 1-5/8" size needed for the new weldless bulkhead 1-1/2" Tri-Clamp fitting.
Do I use a punch? Or hole saw bit or a Unibit. I really don't want to re-punch an entirely new hole or replace my kettle.
Any recommendations?

Thank you,

Chazhl

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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Chazhl!

Enlarging an existing 1-1/4" hole in a kettle slightly to 1-5/8" is unfortunately not obvious as you've discovered. I don't have any specific recommendations as going from 1.25" to 1.625" even if you had a new larger punch would mean you need a smaller hole in the middle for the pilot/bolt to go in to hold the punch in the right spot. Maybe there's some way to put a 1.25" thin circular dowel of some sort to hold the larger punch in place?

I wouldn't wan to try and use a hole saw either for same reasons unless you had a way to hold the kettle in a vice of some sort and use a drill press to ensure nothing moves. I don't think that would be obvious.

Kal

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Kazumichan




Joined: 07 May 2014
Posts: 177
Location: Cincinnati Ohio area

Working on: Belgium golden, Dubbel, and imperial red


PostLink    Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 2:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Trace the new circle on your pot using a marker as a guide. Then use a die grinder with a rotary file to enlarge the hole.
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