Philipat: On the vents...

I thought of clearing some on my tanks, and I'd pondered microfiles, but they were too thick. Another way to open 'em up is that thread-saw method, though you go though considerable thread that way.

Then I thought: Why not use a coping saw blade? [link=http://www.nscalesupply.com/images/ZON/ZON-35-600.gif](this wee beastie)[/link]
(even though they call it a mini-hacksaw, its more of a coping saw)

Just push the lock-pin out of the end of the blade, get enough clearance by drilling holes, and then saw it like a file, basically cutting the slot open. Just be sure to guide it well, other it will narrow the vent-blade to either side. I deliberately picked up some cheap blades for tasks like this, with the highest tooth-count I could get. If you're good, you don't even need starter holes... just start sawing on the indentation, and it'll wear thru!

Blades from a jewelers saw can be used too, but are harder to control unless you clamp a small fragment in the jaws of an hobby-knife handle (X-Acto or otherwise) I even bought extra blades for my scroll-saw (you could use mini-bandsaw blades too, if thin enough) for this task when I break 'em...

A few companies even make photo-etch blades for this task, Verlinden being the one I remember off-hand, though I think X-Acto or one of the other hobby-blade suppliers makes 'em to. and even some of the razor saws [link=http://www.nscalesupply.com/zon/ZON-Saws.html](examples seen here)[/link] are super thin, and with the stiffener-back removed, can do the same.

Just idly thinking while incarcerated in this den of illness and infection...
WhiteWolf (hoping to be liberated Monday)

PS: Anyone make an idler-adjuster for the Bully? Anyone able to prod the makers for one?