Containment drain plug

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A friend has a number of tank containments on his farm. Over the winter these fill with a few inches of rain water and then freeze. This year one of the valves cracked during a hard freeze. He asked me to build him some plugs that could be installed in the pipes to keep the valves dry. I suggested he use a test plug... but the hardware store didn't have anything the right size. The other day he dropped off a piece of the pipe... I guess that means he wants me to make something. So late last night I had a few minutes and I decided to make a sample. This morning I found McMaster has some nice plugs. http://www.mcmaster.com/#2598K44This part was made from a scrap drop. It holds air well so it should be plenty water tight. The threaded hole was an after thought... I figured an eye bolt could be installed to pull the plug with a hook or string. Anyone have any recommendations?Not a welding project but I figured someone would find this interesting or helpful. Attached Images
Reply:What size are the drain plugs for boats? Close?"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Looks like it might be close to the size used in the Thermos soup bottles.....maybe?
Reply:Originally Posted by mrmikeyLooks like it might be close to the size used in the Thermos soup bottles.....maybe?
Reply:Looks nice, Duane.  Projects like this remind me that a lathe would be useful to have around.  But I just got back from NY with a 105T Peddinghaus ironworker so my tool $$ is spent for a little while.
Reply:Probably smaller than the oil fill cap/plug on a big truck, the'yre expanding like a boat plug...  Nice work!!
Reply:Randy, Ed's has about every size of plug like this that you could ever need. Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Looks nice, Duane.  Projects like this remind me that a lathe would be useful to have around.  But I just got back from NY with a 105T Peddinghaus ironworker so my tool $$ is spent for a little while.
Reply:Tell me about the tapping setup you got pictured.  I did some power tapping in the lathe last night and was trying to think up a better way to hold the tap.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmTell me about the tapping setup you got pictured.  I did some power tapping in the lathe last night and was trying to think up a better way to hold the tap.
Reply:I made a couple more plugs today. This time I used a 3 inch piece of material and machined two plugs and parted them. Quick and easy.  Attached Images
Reply:Simple things like this are really why I like having the equipment.  I was so proud of myself last night.  I had the mill cutting a long dovetail for more tool holders while I was turning a paying job in the lathe.  Both jobs went faster than expected.  I couldn't believe it.  I even used layout fluid.  Maybe that's what sped things up?My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSimple things like this are really why I like having the equipment.  I was so proud of myself last night.  I had the mill cutting a long dovetail for more tool holders while I was turning a paying job in the lathe.  Both jobs went faster than expected.  I couldn't believe it.  I even used layout fluid.  Maybe that's what sped things up?
Reply:Boostinjdm, have you poked around Frank Ford's site? http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.htmlHere's his take on the tap wrench:http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/To...hehandtap.html
Reply:Boostinjdm,  Here's a couple I have that work great and one set is home made and the other is made by Lassy which I bought off of Ebay. The homemade ones are just tap handle with a shaft welded to them with a handle at 90 degrees. The trick is to make the handle a size that will turn and not hit the ways of the lathe. One handle is a push rod from a SB chevy engine. I generaly use gun taps on through holes, but if it is a blind hole, you hold the handle until you hit bottom and let go and it spins free without breaking the tap. Both slide on the shaft held in the drill chuck. Attached Images
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions guys.  Another project has been added to the list....My name's not Jim....
Reply:Here is a die holder I made for my lathe for outside threading. each end has a different size die holder.Spring loaded for easy use.have funTom Attached Images
Reply:Forehire:Thanks for the link to Fred Fords site. Really interesting stuff he does.Glenn. Originally Posted by forhireBoostinjdm, have you poked around Frank Ford's site? http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.htmlHere's his take on the tap wrench:http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/To...hehandtap.html