If the bucket idea is failing it is likely how you are doing it. How do you cut the hole, and is it a good fit for the bulkhead fitting? Are you making the hole in a spot where the thickness is uniform? Sometimes people over tighten a bulkhead fitting and that can tend to push the gasket outward which causes a leak. While one of Ray's tanks will be nicer, try again with another food grade bucket to use until Ray's tank arrives.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.