tank connector

[johnnis]

hi whats the best way to drill plastic storage tank for a half inch connector pal says should heat up 3/4 pipe and put through is this best way

 

[ChrisR]

Vast numbers of plumbers do it, and it avoids drilling swarf, but some say it shouldn't be done. I can't see why not. If the material were one which would go brittle I'd agree, but it doesn't.

 

[Nige F]

When you`ve cut holes in galv. hot tanks with a hand cutter you know what cutting holes is and cut+ threaded 1.1/2 barrel by hand. Made holes in concrete pillars for RWP clips with a Rawlplug jumper...and too young for National Service Primitive? We were out here in the sticks. Still would use a cheap holesaw and cordless drill tho`.

 

[JPC]

the heat from the heated up pipe makes the plastic it makes contact with brittle and could cause problems later.
just get ur hole saws out and be a good lad

 

[ChrisR]

That's just it, the material is (medium density) polyethylene, which is a thermoplastic. That means you can melt it and reshape it without changing its general properties. So it doesn't become more brittle.

If you use a saw you're likely to get the "sawdust" everywhere, stuck by static and not easy to clean up. Then a wee bit sticks in the wc's float valve.