help me patch an oops

[Rick_Head]

I was using my harbor freight punch set to put my 1/2" thermometer hole in my HLT. The cutter got twisted and must have been lined up with the socket and I thought I just needed to torque more so I used a strong arm and broke the bolt. In the mean time it ripped the wall of my kettle. In order to clean up the hole I had to use the punch that gives me a 1 1/4 hole.

Now I have a 1 1/4" hole in my kettle and a 1/2" npt thermometer to fill it up.

Other than being in an undesirable position on the kettle, would it be a good idea to use the 1 1/4" hole for my heating element rather than buying a bunch of fittings in order to make it fit?

 

[Durhamite]

I dont really see a problem with mounting the element there...although is 1 1/4" the correct size for an element? It seems like that was a little tight when I recently mounted my own elements.

 

[jtkratzer]

Pictures or description of where the hole is...

 

[zeus53219]

You need a 1"x 1/2" Hex Reducing Bushing(Mcmaster-Carr part# 4464K275). The 1" is 1 1/4" OD to fit in the hole then you will need an o-ring and a 1" lock-nut to hold it in place. Or if its roughly 3" 1/2 to 4" from the bottom of the kettle just use it for the element.

 

[CS223]

I'd have to measure the OD of the 1/2npt Spud to see if it will work, I think it will. It takes a 1"-1/16 hole for the boss, and I want to say the OD is close to 2". Check out these spuds I can't say enough great things about Bobby at Brewhardware.com

 

[Rick_Head]

here is a pic. I was hoping to have the element on the side or the back. I already have my holes for the ball valve and the herms outlet done.

 

[zeus53219]

I wouldn't want the element there. Get the hex bushing, my buddy made the same mistake with a hole for sight glass and used the bushing. It doesn't look bad, just sticks out a little farther. Just my $.02.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Hex-Bushing-1LTE9

 

[ODI3]

install a temperature probe and say it was all part of the plan!

I think thats definately too high for a heat element

 

[CS223]

The 1/2 NPT spuds from Brew Hardware measure 1.68" OD so they will cover your error and look good too. You'll have to solder it in place, there's a tacked thread with all you need to know.

 

[Bobby_M]

Yup, that will work just fine. I just replied to your email that I missed earlier. The 1/2" NPT spuds require a 1-1/16 hole size minimum and will easily cover up to a 1-3/8" hole if necessary.