kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833 
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Post by kskatt on Nov 19, 2014 21:06:13 GMT
What do you use to put the heaters/drains in the water tanks? I can tighten so far with my fingers, but not to get it tight enough. I never can remember what I came up with last time.  |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 20, 2014 4:06:53 GMT
What kind of plug does it have? Is it just the drain hole plug or do you have a heater in it? If it's a heater that goes into the drain hole it probably has a washer on the inside part of the hole You will have to get a adjustable wrench to hold the inside washer and use another adjustable type wrench or pliers to tighten it.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 20, 2014 4:24:46 GMT
The only plug, which is basically the same set up as the de-icer, that I have ever seen for the rubbermaid tanks. Are there others? I guess it's not called a heater.  There are ridge like things on each side of the washer/nut to hold it in place. I put the pipe wrench in there before finding my pliers, that I now know are called channel lock. |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 20, 2014 22:14:50 GMT
Deicer/heater They keep them from freezing. So did you get it fixed? I use steel stock tanks. I have the heater that lays in the bottom of the tank and sets inside a ring.. I use to use the floaters but a certain horse would pull it out.. Have never used the plastic ones.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 21, 2014 3:23:24 GMT
Went into town and was disappointed in the store. I'll go the other direction tomorrow, I like that store better. We shall see.
I think I don't understand why rubbermaid would design these tanks, the plugs and deicers and not design a tool.
My plan is basically, to get a tool that fits better. The one pliers just barely fit around the washer, in this case, bigger probably is better.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 22, 2014 3:41:40 GMT
I bought a tool called a channel lock, with a 1.75" - 3.5" capacity. I measured the washer at 2.25" so that is an easy fit. I love the way it fits! Thinking about it, I should take pics to let you see how it fits. I'll do that tomorrow when working on the tank. It will be great to have it set up for the winter.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 22, 2014 14:08:28 GMT
I know what channel locks are, use them for taking the trailer mats out. Easier to grip them with those than hands.  |
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Post by horselady on Nov 22, 2014 18:53:52 GMT
All good to know. i was looking at mine and the plugs are set inside the tank and impossible to grip. i never play with the heater or the plug but i would like to see how you fixed the problem. i use the basket drop in the tank heaters. thankfully my horses leave them alone. except one year a group was not drinking their water. i could not figure out what was wrong so i watched a horse try to put their mouth in the water and he backed up real quick. i touched the water and i got a shock. go and find out the brain child i had working with us for a time had the cord to the heater right on the electric fence wire. and yes it caused the water to become electrified.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 22, 2014 23:19:44 GMT
This is what I bought. Looks different from the other channel locks I have. The short handles kept them from spreading out too far for my dinky hands.   The tank is now filled just over the washer, to check for leaking. I want it tight enough to work, but not over tighten. |
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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 26, 2014 2:30:42 GMT
Nice tool. I use a floating heater, but I am always in the market for ladies tools. I don't mean the cheep ones, with the silly pink handles, but the real tools, made for smaller, uhhh, less masculine hands, that will do a "real job." You know, like using bolt cutters, in place of wire cutters, because it makes the job do-able rather than frustrating, and nearly impossible.
If you don't mind me asking, Where did you get them? |
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 26, 2014 5:12:52 GMT
Orscheln. I have no idea how wide spread they are, I go to the one in Arkansas City. I would imagine you can find them just about anywhere. Just ask where the pliers are and see what's there! Orscheln is a farm store, just like Atwoods and Tractor Supply.
Having little hands does bite. wag finger
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 26, 2014 13:59:55 GMT
I love tools too! I might have to look for these next time I'm browsing around TSC.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Nov 26, 2014 17:55:26 GMT
It would be awesome if we showed off some of our fav tols, ones that work for women. Sorry guys!  |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Nov 27, 2014 17:24:25 GMT
It pays to be brave and ask older gentleman shoppers what tools they find most useful. Why? Because those folks typically have work weary arthritic hands and need tools that do more of the work for them rather than simply a tool to get the material they're working with to submit under force. And experience yourself. I used to buy the cheaper tools but they can get uncomfortable to use for larger jobs. For instance, I like hammers that are well balanced and have a comfortable Fiberglas grip over heavy steel ones. Its okay if I have to whack at it a few more times with a lighter weight hammer.
I hardly ever use a pliers when I can use a wrench; those long silver "sticks" with a circle on one end with facets on the inside to grip stuff and the other end is open and kind of squared off inside, in both metric and English units because you never know which you'll need. And I find socket sets really handy with a couple different handles because sometimes you need to come in from the side and sometimes you need to at it straight on.
The more tools I'm comfortable using, the more likely I can come up with a project that I can actually do! Ironically, that new embroidery machine I bought? I have yet to figure out how to sew with it LOL I hate to say it but I've started reading the manuals.
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