Anyone have access to a waterjet or machine shop, need a hole cut/drilled in a TC cap

[mavantix]

Building a CIP spray ball setup for my Chronical and would like to attach to the 1.5" TC on the lid. Need a hole cut in a 1.5" TC end cap so the 1/2" NPT male QD fitting can pass through and attach to the spray ball on the other side. Anyone have access to a water jet / machine shop and could do this?

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

Try looking at stainlessbrewing.com. They may have just what you want in the sanitary section. Definitely cheaper than machine time in most cases.http://www.stainlessbrewing.com/Sanitary-clamp-x-Male-12-NPT-threads_p_185.html

 

[mavantix]

Totally agree of the shelf would be cheaper, I've looked everywhere, and unfortunately I need a 1.5" TC fitting with 1/2" NPT female on both sides that doesn't seem to exist. I guess I'm going to end up building it by tapping the NPT threads on an existing TC connector.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

In that case the cheapest route would be to simply drill out the cover and put in a 1/2" bulkhead or one of the covers with the NPT fitting on one side and have someone weld or silver solder the fitting on the reverse.

 

[mavantix]

Yup, the drilling part is where it gets difficult. Putting a 3/4" hole through a 1/8" thick stainless TC cap is not as easy as it sounds, at least without the 3/4" cobalt bit and a drill press.

 

[BBBF]

http://www.glaciertanks.com/TriClamp_End_Cap_SS-TriClamp_End_Cap_1-1_1_2_w_1_Cut_out_SS304.html

 

[orangehero]

You can buy a 1-1/2" TC x 1/2" Female NPT and solder (or weld) a 1/2" Female NPT Half Coupler on the other side.

If you have a 1/2" NPT tap you may be able to cut new threads in a 1-1/2" TC x 1/2" Female NPT fitting from the TC side.

I've made holes in TC caps with a step bit mounted in a drill press, but a lathe is much easier and neater. It takes some attention and time and a way to mount the TC cap securely to get everything centered and neat, but if you don't let it overheat and work harden it should work with a step bit.