Help! Buffalo Boiler - wrong shaped hole?

[Cully]

Undid the tap and expected to see a round hole - this is what is actually there. The circular hole surround is stamped so it sticks in to the inside a bit. There is a sort of moulded washer that fits over it on the inside before the nut. Will this still allow me to add the no drill tap mentioned in another thread or am I buggered? If I am buggered I cant see them taking this back so thats effectively 90 quid down the drain. I bought this specifically because you coyld add a tap with no drilling/qmax etc as I am absolutely clueless and hopless when it comes to D.I.Y.

[Cully]

Another view of the washer.

[Aleman]

All it looks to me is that you need to file the hole in either the washer or the boiler 'round' and then you can fit a ball valve.

[Grumpydev]

Measure the gap and see if a 2/3rds BSP will fit through it - you will likely need to combine their bits with your tap bits to get a seal.

[Goulders]

What a pain!

[Cully]

Bugger it. Sent it back. I wouldn't even know what sort of file to buy to do the bloody thing. Once I get the refund i'll start looking about again, probably go 2 x 60 ltr plastic from Copper kettle.

[Fil]

a cone shaped stepper bit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HSS-Steel-Ste ... 2edf1bbeac

will open up that odd shaped hole in the pot just pulse the drill trigger On for only a second at a time, and brace the pot well, a 3rd hand to squirt a bit of wd40 to cool the bit will also help, they do kick when they catch a new step hence the need to brace the pot well and over about 20mm you really need to take care not to overheat the bit and burn off the tungsten coat.

But opening up a small hole to a bigger one is a LOT easier than making a hole to start with so you have a head start with it,

The washer however would need some serious clamping down and a simple round edged metal file http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-Engineers-F ... 4adfc6cfa3 and patience may work better..

a qmax punch would of course make light work of both pot and washer..

[Cully]

All way beyond me I am afraid Fil

I got the buffalo because of the ease of fitting the 3/8 SS tap. They are taking it back and giving me a refund. Its going to set me back a few weeks though, as I cant afford to do anything else until i get the money back.

[Wezzel]

What was wrong with the fitted tap? I never bothered to change mine.

[Cully]

I'd be in a brewzeebo and thought that as I wouldnt be able to fit a bit of silicone hose to the Buffalo's native tap it might effect the het of the water. You have set me thinking now - I could fix a funnel with a bit of hose under the tap... bugger I'm going to have to ring them and cancel the pick up.