S.pears Bulkheads

[2quills]

Anybody experienced with these bulkheads? I was looking at the s.pears schedule 80's on one site for about $18 per 1.5" bulkhead and then I found another site that was selling s.pears bulkheads (new style) for $37 a piece.
Anybody know if these new style ones are worth the price?
Thanks
Guess I'm not allowed to type the word s.pears normally since it won't show when I post without modifying the name.

 

[cranberry]

I doubt the new ones are worth the price because the old ones work perfectly fine when handled properly. Mind you, bulkheads aren't what they use to be and can split in you are screwing something into the female threaded size.
Do you have a linky? I can't find the new model.
Oh, you probably can't link... can you PM me a link?

 

[2quills]

Yep, found em at reefwarehouse. The pics look like they are a little shorter than the old ones...hard to tell...no one has exact measurements.

 

[2quills]

Hmmm...ok, maybe they're not the same brand as the ones I'm talking about say s.pear style...and not s.pears. Either way...just wondering if they are worth it or not. If anybody knows.

 

[acrylic51]

[hr]
are very good reputable bulkheads. Sched 80, I would check Savko or even GlassCages for price on sched 80 bulkheads.

 

[2quills]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280669

[hr]
are very good reputable bulkheads. Sched 80, I would check Savko or even GlassCages for price on sched 80 bulkheads.
Will do...Hey, since your here...got a question about your diamond rotary bits. Do you know what grit yours are? I was looking at a couple of sets that I found on another site...they are 8 bit sets...one is 40/50 grit and the other is 100/150 grit.

 

[acrylic51]

Hey..... At work on the phone now, but I have to go by Harbor Freight tomorrow and I will check, but honestly I don't think it makes much difference though. I will verify tomorrow though.
Bulkhead wise your paying for brand name IMO. Just look at the price of Hayward stuff it's insane. Maybe the length of the bulkhead shaft is longer. I know in sched 40 you can get regular length or stubby.

 

[2quills]

No worries on the bits...I went ahead and ordered both sets. I figure the lower grit will do the majority and the higher can smooth out any sharp edges if need be.
Actually found a site with Hayward BH's on sale...got two 1.5"' sch 80's for $18 a piece vs the $30+ that I've seen em on other sites. Didn't wanna pass that up.

 

[acrylic51]

Sorry about the lag.... I haven't had any issues with their bits. I get perfectly smooth holes every time. I've probably haves drilled 40-50 tanks that wa, always smooth, plus if I need to enlarge the holes it's quick, and at the price can't beat them. Haywards are usually expensive, so excellent find. I can't wait till I have to buy all my bulkheads.
Keep us posted on the progress.

 

[scsinet]

It may be worth mentioning that often these heavy-duty type bulkheads require different sized holes for a given size than the standard black ones that are so common. If one is drilling the tank to fit, then obviously this is not a problem, but tanks that are pre-drilled are usually sized for the "normal" bulkheads.

 

[2quills]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/3281628
It may be worth mentioning that often these heavy-duty type bulkheads require different sized holes for a given size than the standard black ones that are so common. If one is drilling the tank to fit, then obviously this is not a problem, but tanks that are pre-drilled are usually sized for the "normal" bulkheads.
Thanks, SCSInet. I appreciate the heads up.
I am aware of the different sizes between the two...infact, even some of the schedule 80's require different size holes depending on the brand and style you are dealing with. I've already ordered mine and know what size the holes need to be in order to accomidate them. They Haywards for instance for a 1.5" BH require a whole 2 3/8" which is the same as most standard schedule 40's even though they are 80's...and the S.pears require 2 5/8" to accomidate their brand. I won't be drilling the typical way which most people are farmiliar with as far as using a diamond coated holesaw...instead, one of our resident experts here turned me on to a different idea that I am going to try which will allow me to create a whole excactly the size that I require so that I'f I need to make the whole a 1/4" bigger it won't be a problem.
I've picked up some scrap pieces of glass the same thickness as my tank from a local shop that I am going to practice on first...just incase.

 

[acrylic51]

Are you drilling inside or outside? Remember to keep the area cooled down. I drilled outside in the garage and used the garden hose on really low to keep the area flooded and cool. You can also use a spray bottle or other methods.

 

[2quills]

Going to drill outside...don't want glass everywhere in the house...wife might kick my butt.

 

[cranberry]

I use icecubes held up against the rotating bit with a cloth.....

 

[2quills]

Thanks guys, for all of the great tips and techniques...it just reconfirms why I thought it would be a good idea to join the site. I'll let ya know how my first tank drill turns out. If you never hear from me again afterwards...then feel safe to assume that dissaster has struck.