Homemade thru-hull fitting

[rellis1962]

I was at a Marine supply store the other day looking for a thru-hull fresh water flush fitting for my 87 Ski Centurion... $75!!! So I decided to stick it to the man and make my own. $10 worth of fittings and some relaxing time in the garage/shop and I have my fitting! Started by cutting and rough shaping 1/4" thick piece of brass for the flange. Then chucked it in the lathe and drilled and then bored the hole to a tight friction fit on the 3" x 1/2" brass nipple. Well, it appears I can only attach 5 pics at a time. I will reply with the more photos.

 

[rellis1962]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Part II
Once the hole was bored to the correct size. I silver solder the flange to the nipple. Next, I chucked it in the lathe again, trued up the flange and gave it a slight taper. All that is left to do is drill and counter sink some holes in the flange for mounting. I may spray it with a coat of laquer to keep it shinny longer. Only thing I don't like is that it will be brass colored while everything else on the boat is chrome or stainless.

 

[rellis1962]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Pics with hose fitting

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

If you factor in what your hourly time is worth for all the machine work the $75 would have been a bargain.

 

[DJ]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

I made mine, for my Whaler, out of PVC pipe and cut down PVC unions.

It was a lot easier that what I saw above.

 

[rellis1962]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

I think you missed the "relaxing" time in the shop part and the satisfaction of making something yourself. Besides I may have a total of 1 hr shop time in this. I did make a trip to the hardware store though. The $75 fitting at the marine supply store was not even stainless. I think it was some sort of chrome plated pot metal.

 

[DJ]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

I think you missed the "relaxing" time in the shop part and the satisfaction of making something yourself. Besides I may have a total of 1 hr shop time in this. I did make a trip to the hardware store though. The $75 fitting at the marine supply store was not even stainless. I think it was some sort of chrome plated pot metal.

Well, there is something to be said for "relaxing" in the shop. Can't disagree with that.

 

[redfury]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

There also has to be something said for having a metal lathe at your disposal

Being able to machine parts in your garage/shop is a huge advantage.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

There also has to be something said for having a metal lathe at your disposal

Being able to machine parts in your garage/shop is a huge advantage.

You mean we're NOT supposed to order several thousand dollars worth of machining equipment and a new shop to put it in?

Uh-oh. LOL!

-BWR

 

[Mark42]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Nice work! Its really impressive that you can turn out such high quality parts in your garage. And you get the pleasure of doing it your self. Thats the hard part to beat! No amount of money will buy that sort of satisfaction.

And you were right to not spend $75 on a through hull. I know the stainless through hull I'm using for a bilge pump is only $14, so $75 for the same fitting with a hose end on it seems excessive.

Oh, and one thing you might want to add: If you look at high end through hulls, they usually are slightly concave or have rings cut on the hull mating side to help keep the bedding material (like 3M 5200) from all squeezing out when tightened. A couple of rings shouldl do the trick.

Btw, I need a few pieces custom made cheap, if you know anyone with a lathe.....

 

[BlazinKuztumz]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Yeah, it's amazing how much our society is a "go buy it, and throw it away when it breaks" society. Not many of the younger generation are taking the time to learn how to make their own parts, pieces, fix things, etc. I'm only 30, and have a metal lathe, welders, tube bender, and a bunch of equipment and love being able to have the satisfaction that I can find solutions, on my own, to problems I encounter. Wish more younger people would take up "trades". Pretty soon, plumbers, welders, etc. will be in higher demand because everyone has been pushed since childhood to "go to college and go where the real money is". Funny part is, the plumbers and electricians, are where the real money will be going. LOL

Oh, by the way .. very nice looking parts and work. What kind of lathe are you using? Mine is a Logan 400, from the 40's.

 

[rellis1962]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Mark42 - The rings on the hull mating side is a good idea. No problem doing that. Thanks

BlazinKuztumz - Yea I know what you mean. I have always been a do-it-yourself kinda guy, thanks to my dad. I am 46 and have had a garage shop now since the purchase of my first home 17 years ago. My son(15) and I spend a lot of time piddling in the shop. He is currently rebuilding a gocart all on his own with a little advice from me.
My lathe is 70s model 12x36 Craftsman/Atlas. Not quite the quality of yours but it has definitely performed well for me. I am just a rookie in the metal shop, nevertheless, I seem to be able to get r done. The motto I kinda live by in the shop is: If its not easy then your not doing it right or you don't have the right tool. Thanks for the comments!

 

[BlazinKuztumz]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Yeah, I've just gotten started with mine as well. I lucked out and found a woman who's father had passed away last year and she was selling it for $200, and didn't realize when I talked with her, that she had a box full of change gears, centers, and cutting tools with it. I found the box when I got there and told her that it went with the lathe, she was surprised. I still have to build a good table to get it up on and get it all set up. I also have a new Miller 180 w/aluminum gun, Pro Tools 105HD tube bender, and a HyperTherm plasma all sitting in their boxes waiting to be broken out. As well, I just got a new replacement gun for my old trusty Craftsman 110 135 welder. I love tools, and having the ability to be able to do what you need and not have to find parts and pieces, or pay someone else to make them. One of my best purchases so far has been a metric tap and die set .. you don't realize how handy they are, till you need them and have them. Like I always tell my wife .. as long as you have the right tool, or can make the right tool for the job, there is almost nothing that can't be done. Tools, are awesome!

GoCart project sounds like a lot of fun, I've been thinking about building something similar when I get my stuff fully set up. But I already have my center console rebuild, dirt bike rebuild, and 89 Nissan king cab rebuild that keep me tied up. Plus I have customer vehicles, and family and friends vehicles that I do stuff to. LOL Once people find out you can do things, and have the tools .. they hit you with all that they have. LMAO

Eventually though .. I WILL build my own chopper. LOL

 

[willyrocket]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

I think you missed the "relaxing" time in the shop part and the satisfaction of making something yourself. Besides I may have a total of 1 hr shop time in this.

= Priceless

 

[rellis1962]

Re: Homemade thru-hull fitting

Blazinkuztumz- Wow, what a deal on the lathe! Good gosh man, unbox that stuff. I sure would like to add a plazma cutter to my shop. I just don't have the room. My shop is full of Wood and Metal working machines and tools and more tools. I love tools too! "No, Wife, you can't store stuff in my shop".

Well, I guess I should say something about my boat rebuild here. I will be installing my rebuilt starter in the Ski Centurion tomorrow if it doesn't rain. I discovered the current starter is not marine grade so a buddy gave me a bad marine starter that was on his 351 and I had it rebuilt. Less than half the cost of a new marine starter. I will pick it up tomorrow morning. Also, weather permitting, I will be installing a battery switch 1,2,All. I would like cut wires/cables to length and put the connectors on myself. Where can I get the right kind of cable and the tool to squeeze the connectors on?