[Dave Willis]

Is there a way of mounting an immersion element without one? If not is there a way of reaching further into the tank than my arm to tighten one up? Also, where do you get them from?

[Jonny 87]

Chummy is your man. I've seen him give the full list in the past.

I'll try and find the link.

[Smudger]

Tool station

We got extra reach by holding the flange in oil filter grips ( they are like large pliers to undo your car oil filter)

Really is best as a 2 man job

Darran

[ChumBucket]

This is what you want Dave.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p38614?searchstr=immersion%20mechanical%20flange

[Dave Willis]

Tool station

We got extra reach by holding the flange in oil filter grips ( they are like large pliers to undo your car oil filter)

Really is best as a 2 man job

Darran

I think if I can find a massive spanner I could get it welded to a bar and feed it down the filler hole at an angle and hold the flange then rotate the element. Looks bloody huge!

A possibility, if I can get it back out!  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Coated-Adjustable-Spanner/dp/B00OLJKQNC/ref=sr_1_36?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1461420685&sr=1-36&keywords=spanners+for+oil+filter

[Smudger]

Don't think you'll find a spanner ( well only on here  ) that won't cost you £40 plus quid and weight half a tonne the box spanners you can get only fit the immersion body nut

Darran

[Dave Willis]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OIL-FILTER-REMOVER-WRENCH-SPANNER-TOOL-BLACK-80mm-Capacity-240mm-long-502-/191498765536?hash=item2c963744e0:g:pPUAAOSwzrxUzK8k


Right size?

[Smudger]

More like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-12-OIL-FILTER-ADJUSTABLE-WRENCH-PLIERS-HAND-REMOVAL-PLIER-TOOL-/381594891944?hash=item58d8d3f6a8:g:ikoAAOxydlFS1Q4D

[Dave Willis]

Too short I feel, although maybe I could extend the handles with a couple of tubes.

[ChumBucket]

This for the element nut-
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p80367?table=no

And a chain wrench or similar for the flange nut. I have a big Stilson wrench that just fits the flange nut.

The flange nut is quite wide and so easy to get a chain wrench round but the element nut is quite narrow and more difficult to do this.

If you put your mind to it, it's quite simple to lower the inner flange part into the hole using some string etc, just make sure the hole you drill will allow easy pass through of the flange threads- approx 0.5mm larger than the flange thread. It's not a difficult job and no silicone is required if done correctly- Just PTFE any threads to be safe.

[ChumBucket]

Oh and get your Son to rig you up with a full 16amp line including any timer, external plug/socket etc if required.

[Dave Willis]

We had a short discussion about this over breakfast shouldn't be a problem for him.

[AuRavelling79]

I'm not recommending this but I have never used the internal flange nut. I cut the hole very tight and cut a thread with the immersion by winding it in with the box spanner. I also had sealant smammed around it.

I've done three tanks like this and two are still in use four years later (a 650 and a 200) the third (a 400) I sold to someone on this forum years ago as working but no guarantees.

Mind you the first tank I ever did was a complete bodge which leaked because I cut the hole fractionally too big and although it was second hand I completely wrecked it!

I learned from that one to start making the hole too small and to make it a real tight fit to wind in the immersion.

[lozsing]

I did same didn't use inner nut

[Dave Willis]

smammed

What did you cut yer hole with?

[Smudger]

Hole cutter 

You can buy a set or individual sizes - if your not going to fit a flange nut on the inside ( and it should work as good as without  ) you want a size slightly bigger than the root diameter of the thread

Darran

[Smudger]

The thread is 2 1/4 bsp the outside diameter is 65.7mm so if using a flange nut use a 65 mm hole cutter that will give a push fit and the nut will clamp the inside of the tank.

Thread core size is 62.7mm so 63mm cutter - normally plastic cuts tight so this should be fine, if you use 62mm diameter cutter you'll never self cut a thread.

The danger of this is if you mis thread or over tighten you will strip the thread and it will leak use silicone to bond the flange face to the tank

Use these to cut hole
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BGS-Werkzeug-Hole-Saw-Tank-Cutter-26-to-63-mm-x-50-mm-Deep-7-Pcs-3904-/281967689388?hash=item41a6957eac:g:pDUAAOSwu1VW6HMk

[DeLuce]

Just looked at my old invoice when I did mine in  2010 😳
I used a 64mm cutting bit and it was a tight fit. I part pushed it in then screwed it up the rest of the way. I also used a flange, as at the time I thought it would leak (and I'd constantly worry) plus water /heat resistant sealant on the thread.
I've got a 500ltr upright tank and I put the 11" immersion into it.
Also, you'll find that one you've nipped up the flange, if you use it, it grips nicely and you can tighten it up without the use of stilsons on the inside of tank.

[ChumBucket]

The thread is 2 1/4 bsp the outside diameter is 65.7mm so if using a flange nut use a 65 mm hole cutter that will give a push fit and the nut will clamp the inside of the tank.

Thread core size is 62.7mm so 63mm cutter - normally plastic cuts tight so this should be fine, if you use 62mm diameter cutter you'll never self cut a thread.

The danger of this is if you mis thread or over tighten you will strip the thread and it will leak use silicone to bond the flange face to the tank

Use these to cut hole
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BGS-Werkzeug-Hole-Saw-Tank-Cutter-26-to-63-mm-x-50-mm-Deep-7-Pcs-3904-/281967689388?hash=item41a6957eac:g:pDUAAOSwu1VW6HMk

Or...... just use a £14 flange and don't take any of the above risks. Also with a mechanical flange you can fit a blanking plug in the future should you want or need to si you tank is never rendered useless.

[AuRavelling79]

smammed

What did you cut yer hole with?

Smam - local Bristolian word for "slap it on" - like sun cream when it looks like you've put too much on.

I used an adjustable hole cutter - google it and there is one at toolstation for less than a tenner which has a spinning frame and you edge the teeth out like a compass to the width you need.

My only fear of using the exact measurements shown by Smudger is that because I was doing a "bodge" job in engineering terms so I needed to cut fractionally smaller.

If you do the job "properly" with a flange nut then Smudger is on the money but if you are depending on the thread cutting the plastic you risk leaks.