Hi all -- I am located in Maryland and my boat is in Annapolis. Recently, I ordered new plastic water tanks from a company in Maine. I did not examine the tanks until yesterday, when I discovered that I couldn't screw into one tank the threaded 1 and 1/2" thread to barb adapter because the female tank threads were not properly cut. Although returning the tank to Maine is a possibility, I was wondering if anyone has a better idea. Is it possible for me to buy a tapered tap to re-tap and correct the imperfect threads? If I wanted to pay someone to do the work, where should I look -- plumber. machine shop, or who? Thanks very much for your assistance. Steve
Water tank problem
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If it is cross threaded it may never seal properly even if you recut the threads. I would let the company know and they should pay the shipping and repair the tank. Who is the company? I am not aware of any in Maine that produce plastic tanks.
Sorry, my shorthand for polypropylene tanks. The threads were not cross-threaded, but seem to have been cut very shallow and with flat, rather than sharp edges. I would rather not identify the co. at this time, until I hear their response to the problem. I'm just trying to make the solution as simple and fast as possible. Steve
Triple M Plastics is in Maine...
They make custom polypropylene tanks...very good quality. Several people here have bought from 'em.
The good news is, they ARE PP, not PE (polyethylene)...PP tanks are welded, not molded....and it shouldn't be difficult to replace the fitting. So I suggest you contact Triple M...advise 'em of your problem and ask them to refer you to a local plastics fabricator who can replace the threaded fitting. Plastics fabricators are NOT rare...you should have no trouble finding more than one who can help somewhere in the Baltimore/Annapolis/DC area. Check the Yellow Pages under "plastics"...fabricators...manufacturers.
Afterthought... Which fitting is it--fill, vent or discharge? 'Cuz if it's at or on the top of the tank and not the discharge at the bottom, there may be a DIY solution.
They make custom polypropylene tanks...very good quality. Several people here have bought from 'em.
The good news is, they ARE PP, not PE (polyethylene)...PP tanks are welded, not molded....and it shouldn't be difficult to replace the fitting. So I suggest you contact Triple M...advise 'em of your problem and ask them to refer you to a local plastics fabricator who can replace the threaded fitting. Plastics fabricators are NOT rare...you should have no trouble finding more than one who can help somewhere in the Baltimore/Annapolis/DC area. Check the Yellow Pages under "plastics"...fabricators...manufacturers.
Afterthought... Which fitting is it--fill, vent or discharge? 'Cuz if it's at or on the top of the tank and not the discharge at the bottom, there may be a DIY solution.
Hi Peggy -- thanks for the response. The problem is with the inch and 1/2 fill that is on one end of the tanks. Steve
If you can retap the hole, you can install a new fitting that isn't threaded...instead uses a li'l doodad called the Uniseal and a piece of PVC pipe. Check out the Uniseal here: UNISEAL Read all the pages to see exactly how it works and the sizes/price list at the end.
Or...we can complicate it by retapping and installing a new threaded fitting...which Triple M will send you.
Or...we can complicate it by retapping and installing a new threaded fitting...which Triple M will send you.
thanks, again, Peggy. I had not heard of the Uniseal before. A very interesting, cheap, and fast possible solution. I will contact Triple M tomorrow and see what they suggest. Steve
Good news. Triple M, without hesitation, said that they would send (lend) me a tap to repair the defective threads. I am satisfied with this resolution and would certainly do business with/recommend Triple M. Thanks for the advice.
Steve
Steve
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