Another variation of our Pull Through Solderable Bulkhead series, this one has a 1/2" compression arrangement on the inside and we include a diptube to go into it. This is designed for install into a Sanke Keg that is destined to be a boil kettle or hot liquor tank. The long diptube will reach all the way to the bottom of the dish of the keg. Please be aware that this specific unit is meant to be soldered or welded into your keg. We have thread in and weldless versions available elsewhere but this isn't it.
Instead of buying a separate pull through bulkhead and dip tube compression assembly for your Hot Liquor Tank (HLT) or Boil Kettle (BK), get it all in one compact piece. Note that we also sell this assembly with a higher flow 5/8" OD SS diptube. Frankly there is very little reason to use the 1/2" diptube with the higher flow version available but we do get some requests for 1/2" tubing so this is it.
Instead of including the typical metal ferrule rings to compress against the tubing that is typical of all compression fittings, we use a Nylon/ Delrin high temp and food grade plastic. The advantage to doing this, in this particular application is that you get a seal by simply tightening the compression nut hand tight (or a quarter turn more than that if you have delicate hands ;-)). Metal ferrules require a ton of torque to initially seal and the ring and removing for cleaning requires a wrench.
Note: if you're looking for a dip tube for a flat bottom pot, please consider the standard Male/Female pull through bulkhead with the addition of the thread in pot diptube as a more compact and cheaper alternative.
INSTALLING PULL-THROUGH FITTINGS:
This process has been called dimpling, pulling, swaging or circular flaring. The most difficult part of doing this is finding materials to build the mandrel and die but we’ve put a tool together for this purpose (pull through tool) that works for ½” NPT parts. When installing one of the specific “Pull Through” fittings, you will need at least one pull through tool and it will work on an unlimited number of pull through fittings as it gets reused. The tool can also be used to pull ½” NPT Full and Half couplings but you will need to purchase at least ONE pull through bulkheads (male/female) as it will be used as an extension of the tool to pull the flare. Read the appropriate section below in detail.
Pull Through Bulkhead (male to female).
Drill and debur a 7/8” hole in the install location. You may use a smaller 13/16” hole for this but it will only work with very thinwall pots. Thicker pots and kegs will need a larger 7/8” hole so the fitting has an easier time pulling through.
Wipe the area of the hole inside and out, along with the pull through fitting, with a rag soaked in solvent such as acetone or laquer thinner to remove dirt and oils. Avoid touching surfaces with bare fingers. Insert the threads of the fitting through the hole from inside the pot.
Remove the nut and washer from the pull through tool and insert the bolt into the pull through fitting from the outside. On the inside of the pot, reinstall the metal washer and nut. Snug the nut hand tight and wiggle the install tool to ensure it is not hung up in a crooked position.
Apply a bit of liquid flux to the pull through bulkhead and then tighten the bolt on the pull through to start forcing the pull through into the hole. It will be hard to turn while the fitting is creating the flare and then it will get easier when the fitting reaches the max diameter. You can pull it through as far as you would like but just stop before it pulls completely through the hole.
Follow the instructions provided with the silver solder kits for the soldering process.
Pull Through Compression Bulkhead
Drill and debur a 13/16” or 7/8” hole in the install location. The smaller hole will provide a little more surface area but either will work fine.
Wipe the area of the hole inside and out, along with the pull through fitting, with a rag soaked in solvent such as acetone or laquer thinner to remove dirt and oils. Avoid touching surfaces with bare fingers. Insert the threads of the fitting through the hole from inside the pot.
Remove the nut and washer from the pull through tool and insert the bolt into the pull through fitting from the outside. On the inside of the pot, reinstall the metal washer and nut. Snug the nut hand tight and wiggle the install tool to ensure it is not hung up in a crooked position.
Apply a bit of liquid flux to the pull through bulkhead and then tighten the bolt on the pull through to start forcing the pull through into the hole. It will be hard to turn while the fitting is creating the flare and then it will get easier when the fitting reaches the max diameter. This fitting has a larger diameter “stop” just before the compression portion of the fitting. You MUST stop pulling the fitting in when this larger ring makes contact with the pot wall. If you continue to tighten the bolt at this point, you will oversize the hole and the fitting will become loose. If you do this by mistake, you can remove the fitting and hit the flared hole with a hammer to close the diameter slightly.
Follow the instructions provided with the silver solder kits for the soldering process. Be sure to remove the ferrule inside the compression nut before soldering
NOTE: Stainless steel cannot be soldered to aluminum pots. Also, you cannot use standard plumbing flux found in big box stores. You MUST use special liquid acid flux such as found in our accessory silver soldering kits when soldering stainless steel together or to brass or copper.
WARNING: We have only
tested this process (and continue to use this method) on holes made with our
tungsten carbide hole saw bits. Other methods may be used to make clean holes
but methods that work-harden the opening of the hole may make it brittle and
prone to splitting when the pull through fitting is forced in. We have had a
limited number of reports of punch and dies causing this problem but we are
unable to repeat it here in the shop. We will not accept responsibility for
damaged pots in any circumstance.
On time and Packaged right. 
