Thread: 3/8 to 1/2 inch adapter

Go to a plumbing supply store and ask for a 1/2 in. MIP x 3/8 in. FIP threaded Hex Bushing. Bring one of your Driftmasters to confirm the threads mate up and you’ll be good. They should have brass and stainless available. Brass bushings should run $3-4 each. Be sure to get ones with a hex head so you can get them out with a socket when you want to switch back over to the 1/2” stems. You’ll never get the shoulderless helicoil-looking ones out of your bases once you crank them down the first time... been there, done that on other projects.

I'll try but the ones I found so far the threads did not mate. Seems a 1/2 pipe thread is different from an 1/2" SAE but I'm headed to store to check this out. Maybe I didn't know what to ask for. We have a new Gateway Plumbing store near me and it is huge so maybe I'll get lucky.
Thanks.

SeaRay.....are your 4 bases all right hand thread? I won't be back in my shop until next week, but if you have not found anything by then I might be able to fix you up.

Yes they are all right handed threads and the plumbing folks tell me the threads will not match. They ordered a bushing from their supplier to verify but I haven't gotten it yet. It doesn't have the hex shoulder so it would be a problem getting in and out if it even fits.

Do you have any buddies with a turning lathe? Should be able to center drill a 1/2 bolt through the head in to the shank with a 5/16 drill bit and tap it out to the 3/8 size you need, and still use the 1/2 head for tightening it down and removing it.

Central, that is what I planned on doing for him if he hadn't come up with anything by the time I get back to work. That doesn't leave much wall thickness though. .375 threads into 1/2 threads. Tap drill for 1/2 is 27/64....so wall thickness is only going to be .025 or so....pretty thin.

You could take a 1 inch piece of 3/4 inch round stock...drill and tap to 3/8.....then set on top of a short 1/2 inch bolt and weld the two together.

I may just buy four 1/2" base holders .Things are $ 25 each. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have about 2 dozen of the 3/8" already.