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**kerklein2** · 03-11-2009, 02:22 AM

After see the replies to my CFC vs. IC thread, I've decided to go with a CFC. I went and scouted Home Depot and Harbor Freight today. I picked up a propane torch kit at HF but I think I'm gonna return it and grab something simpler from HD. I found 50' of 3/8" copper at HD for $36 which is about the same price as coppertubingsales.com when you include shipping. I found a 50' rubber hose at HD for $25 but said not to use hot liquids. They had a special hose for $30 that said for hot liquids but the only difference to me seemed to be that it was red and the other one was black. I then found a 50' hot water hose at HF for $20. What do you guys think of these prices? Could I get the regular black rubber hose?

Another question I have is that all the tutorials for CFCs say to unroll the tubing and straighten it out, but IC instructions say not to. Considering copper work hardens, it doesn't make sense to me to unroll and re-roll, but it may be impossible to thread the hose on a coiled tube. Whats the answer here?

I'll be working on this over the weekend hopefully so I'll post some pics then if anyone cares.

davebl · 03-11-2009, 03:17 AM

I used a goodyear black rubber hose. Just make sure it's rubber.

Keep your copper coiled. Pour some soapy water into the hose and the then start pushing in your copper. When I made mine, i kept working the hose back into a coil. When I was done I had little movement of the copper from its original coil, and the final coil was pretty close to done.

**Bobby_M** · 03-11-2009, 03:42 AM

I had a really hard time trying to push the coiled copper into the hose even with plenty of lubrication. You'll get about 8' through before it starts getting really difficult.

lamarguy · 03-11-2009, 05:38 AM

The best tip I can give you is to use dishwasher detergent to lubricate the inside of the rubber hose. Straight or bent, the copper will side on very easily with detergent.

Also, I would recommend wrapping the entire length of copper tubing with aluminum fencing wire to form a more turbulent water flow for better heat exchange. The wire also provides a more even space between the copper and rubber tubing to avoid dead spots.

**Bobby_M** · 03-11-2009, 12:01 PM

If you're going wrap the core, I'd go with copper wire. Galvanic reaction?

wizardofza · 03-11-2009, 01:56 PM

Yeah, don't use aluminum. I once made the mistake of storing my IC in an aluminum pot for a few weeks.

When I took it out to use it, the bottom was corroded out - exactly where it was touching the aluminum.

tipicreeper · 03-11-2009, 02:58 PM

FWIW: I used a copper gound wire from some romex I had kicking around and tack soldered it about every 6 - 8 inches.

**Homercidal** · 03-11-2009, 05:29 PM

Isn't 50' a bit much? I would think that you could get 2 chillers out of that. I think mine is close to 20 feet and I have to turn the water supply down a bit to keep it from getting too cold.