removing a bulkhead....Help

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by schackmel, Dec 5, 2008.

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  1. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

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    well I have been crying for the last hour cause I am so very frustrated....I got a new sump and went to replumb it...got all the fitings to be rightm some nice 90 degree angles...looks nice IMHO (hard plumbed the drain as it is out side of the stand)

    Well everything worked great but the bulkhead is leaking. I have a new one that I went to replace....well I can not get the bulkhead out...any suggestions.

    I have a bulkhead wrench and will not budge...it just keeps spinning. I have placed my fingers in the bulkhead to try to place pressure no good...
    Help! I need to replace this and dont know what to do know.....
     
    schackmel, Dec 5, 2008
    schackmel, Dec 5, 2008
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Try and use a knife on the inside of the bulkhead. The knife will need to be larger than the diameter of the bulkhead. A butchers knife is what I'd try first. The sharp edge(s) will act as a wrench sorta. Obviously be careful because it's a knife. The knife can be used at different angles to maximize grip. Get a good grip with the knife and turn the wrench. I can submit a pic for an example if I need to.
     
    missionsix, Dec 5, 2008
    missionsix, Dec 5, 2008
    #2
  3. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Use two wrenches, one on the "nut" and the other on the threaded part. Hope I made sense. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Dec 5, 2008
    lunatik_69, Dec 5, 2008
    #3
  4. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    Kind of the same Idea as Luna but instead of a wrench use a pair of pump pliers on the other side.
     
    gazog, Dec 5, 2008
    gazog, Dec 5, 2008
    #4
  5. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

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    saw zaw or hack saw, then if all else fails a blow torch,lol
     
    reef_guru, Dec 5, 2008
    reef_guru, Dec 5, 2008
    #5
  6. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

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    I gave up last night on it....going to have help come in today! Boy did not realize my own strength when I put it on the first time. Luckily the tank is still cycling so there is nothing in there right now.....I am guessing this will just increase the cycle a little having it not run for so long. But I was getting so frustrated last night I figured if I didnt stop I was going to break the bottom of the tank! Words were coming out of my mouth that no lady should ever say!!!! Hopefully a second set of hands will do the trick....
    but I am still glad I upgraded the sump....it was way too small and I think I would have had more trouble down the line if I did not. I just wish I had not trouble now.
    thanks again
     
    schackmel, Dec 6, 2008
    schackmel, Dec 6, 2008
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  7. 10acrewoods

    10acrewoods Fire Goby

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    put and Ice cube inside the bulk head It should cool it down enough to shrink the threads. You could also try something that vibrates like an automatic tooth brush or just bumping the wrench with your hand. I know this all sound crazy but it works on alot of threaded stuff. I all else fails dremal it off. Good luck anyhow.
     
    10acrewoods, Dec 6, 2008
    10acrewoods, Dec 6, 2008
    #7
  8. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    I have taken one of my bulkheads off a couple of times and I know what you mean. Its VERY uncomfortable, at least in my case and a real PITA. Lucky for me, when I built my stand, I left some space to be able to work. Can you take a pic of your bulkhead, maybe we can figure it out. When I changed out my W/D a couple of months ago, I went through the same ordeal. I had to use 2 channel locks(CL) to losen the nut. One was gripping the nut and the other was gripping the threaded portion of the bulkhead. When the nut got to the point where I had the CL on, I had to cut the bulkhead with a wire saw b/c the threads were all stripped to the point of no return. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Dec 6, 2008
    lunatik_69, Dec 6, 2008
    #8
  9. 10acrewoods

    10acrewoods Fire Goby

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    did the bulkhead win?
     
    10acrewoods, Dec 6, 2008
    10acrewoods, Dec 6, 2008
    #9