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This tool is made to install our PTbulkheads into your pot. It can also be used to install full couplings but it requires the use of a PTbulkhead to create the initial flare/dimple. The install tool is a relatively simple assembly of off-the-shelf parts but it makes the install process less fussy.
NOTE: This tool does NOT pull a flared hole in your pot by itself. You MUST use it in conjunction with one of the tapered pull through bulkheads we offer. Even if you want to pull in a coupling, you will need one PTbulkhead to use its taper.
Here's how it gets installed (assuming male threads outward) (NOTE that we send written instructions with the fittings and they may supercede these):
- Drill a 13/16" or 7/8" hole in your pot (7/8" works better for walls thicker than 1mm such as kegs)
- Deburr the hole (file or sand the sharp edges),
- Degrease the fitting and pot wall with paint thinner, acetone, etc.
- Push the fitting into the hole in your pot from the inside until it stops.
- Remove the nut and washer from the install tool and then insert the bolt of the install tool into the PTbulkhead fitting until the large diameter die contacts the pot wall.
- On the inside of the pot, install the washer and thread on the nut until hand snug.
- Apply liquid flux to the fitting on the inside of the pot. This will ensure flux coverage when the fitting is pulled into place, but also acts as a lubricant.
- With a pair of wrenches of some sort, tighten the bolt/nut to pull the fitting through the hole until the large ring at the female end of the fitting makes contact with the inside of the pot wall.
- Be sure not to over pull the fitting because it is possible to open the hole up too much such that the fitting is not longer a tight fit!
- Apply a little more flux, heat with a propane torch and apply Stay Brite silver solder to the joint on the inside of the pot.
- After cooling, clean up the area and polish the heat affected areas with bar keeper's friend or a felt wheel with polishing compound to return the area to the original luster.
Other details:
If you would rather pull in a 1/2" NPT full or half coupling, you can use the pull tool and PTbulkhead fitting together to create a dimple large enough for the coupling. You will proceed as above to pull the male/female fitting into the hole but tighten it just enough so the larger diameter stop start opening up the flare. (Do NOT pull the fitting all the way through unless you've previously verified that the coupling you want to install is slightly larger than the OD of the M/F tapered fitting.) Remove the tool and the M/F fitting. You will then reload the tool with the full coupling in place instead of the PTbulkhead and pull that through to whatever position you wish. For this usage, creating an initial hole at 7/8" diameter will make things easier, especially in thicker walled pots.
The photo shows an extra male threaded bushing on the bolt shaft that we no longer ship with this tool. It was determined that this was no necessary to use so we lowered the cost of the tool.
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these made my kettle build easy 
