I'm about to assemble this on a 5gal cooler. A word to the wise: I found NONE of the Watts parts at my local Ace, Home Depot, or Menards.
Praise the Gods...they just opened a Lowe's here a month or so back, and sure enough, they had every part number listed, and were the only ones to have anything close to a 5/8" SS washer (I had to get 3/4", so I might toss a second o-ring on the inside of the brass nipple, if I experience any leaks).
I'll update this post with the results later. Thanks again for the sweet write up! Partial Mashing is planned for the next batch!
update - first leak test...very minor leak. the 3/4" SS washer has too big a hole for the brass barb (inside the cooler) to seat properly.
Yanked it out and replaced with a black nylon gasket I robbed from a water bed drain/filler attachment.
second leak test done over night...there was a single drop on the outside barb the next morning.
that 5/8" SS washer on the inside primarily adds stability to the spigot, so when you open the ball valve it doesn't move side to side nearly as much.
So I'll probably be PM'ing skifast1 for the correct washer.
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...the only ones to have anything close to a 5/8" SS washer (I had to get 3/4", so I might toss a second o-ring on the inside of the brass nipple, if I experience any leaks)
A shiny silver dollar will get you a shiny 5/8" SS washer, delivered - see my sig
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I went out and bought everything I need for this last night but the one item I had a problem with was the SS braid. Most of the braids carried by my Home Depot are of the engineered polymer variety and the only foot long SS I could get was 3/8" in diameter, I wanted to go at least 1/2". The one thing I did find that I thought would work is a 48" by 3/4" SS hose for a washer hook-up. However, I do have one concern.
When you cut the SS braid are you cutting the braid material itself or the metal fitting on the end of the braid? I had always heard that cutting SS is bad, that where you cut can and will corrode. If you can cut through the braid without a problem then I was just going to cut a length to fit my cooler from the 48” and save the rest for future MLTs.
I used a rotary tool (Dremel) to cut the fittings clean off each end (i.e. cut through the braid right beside the fittings). Then I used a pair of needlenose pliers to hold the inner plastic hose and 'pushed' off the braid.
I have not seen any corrosion of the braid itself (although I did find that the original hose clamps I used were corroding -- see my thread). I have also never heard anyone complain that the braid would corrode. As I understand it, if you cut it clean, the SS will re-passivate itself naturally. I don't think it is a concern at all.
I have one question regarding the update to the instructions (substituting cut vinyl tubing for the hose clamps).
FlyGuy states the he used 7/16" x 5/17" vinyl tubing... I am not the most handy guy in the world, so I'm not exactly sure what he's talking about. I am guessing that this means 7/16" outer diameter, 5/17" inner diameter? Common sense dictates that the 7/16" outer diameter would fit nicely and snugly into the 1/2" SS braid, but being clueless, I wanted to make sure before I hosed this assembly (no pun intended).
I have one question regarding the update to the instructions (substituting cut vinyl tubing for the hose clamps).
FlyGuy states the he used 7/16" x 5/17" vinyl tubing... I am not the most handy guy in the world, so I'm not exactly sure what he's talking about. I am guessing that this means 7/16" outer diameter, 5/17" inner diameter? Common sense dictates that the 7/16" outer diameter would fit nicely and snugly into the 1/2" SS braid, but being clueless, I wanted to make sure before I hosed this assembly (no pun intended).
Sorry man -- that was a typo. I just fixed it to read 7/16" x 5/16". And yes, the first number is the outer diameter and the second is the inner diameter of the tubing.
well, I am just finishing putting together my own one of these - using a 5 gal cooler. Excellent job on the write up FlyGuy. I just printed the parts list and pic, and took it to the store.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uuurang
found a stainless 5/8 washer at Menards in wi. So, there out there. Just not easy to find.
Actually, they have almost every single part there, so... lucky us in Madison, WI. All I had to change was the cap for the SS braid. Ended up getting another 3/8" male barb and a 3/8" hex cap. Worked out great.
5 gal cooler - $17.80 from walmart
parts - $23.07 menards
Plus, if/when I want to go bigger, I only need to buy the cooler now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by subourbonite
FlyGuy states the he used 7/16" x 5/17" vinyl tubing... I am not the most handy guy in the world, so I'm not exactly sure what he's talking about. I am guessing that this means 7/16" outer diameter, 5/17" inner diameter? Common sense dictates that the 7/16" outer diameter would fit nicely and snugly into the 1/2" SS braid, but being clueless, I wanted to make sure before I hosed this assembly (no pun intended).
For the tubing, they didn't have any 7/16" x 5/17" (heh, yeah right). So, I ended up getting 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID polyethylene, seemed to fit fine and was pretty cheap.
Again, hats off to you FlyGuy. I can't wait to try out the new toy!
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I just printed the parts list and pic, and took it to the store. Actually, they have almost every single part there, so... lucky us in Madison, WI. All I had to change was the cap for the SS braid. Ended up getting another 3/8" male barb and a 3/8" hex cap.
That's a really good idea, especially if you are using the tubing insert inside the braid. Elegant solution -- I think I might change mine, too! It would hold the braid really well, yet allow for easy cleaning. Thanks for the suggestion.
I just used this thread to convert a 3 gallon "Bubba keg cooler" into a mini mash tun. I used a 3/8 rubber grommet to line the hole from the old spigot, and had to make a plastic washer for the outside, to act as a stand-off so that the ball valve would close completely.
Cooler = Canadian Tire = 23.00
Parts = Rona = 9.00 (the wife gets an employee discount)
Ready for partial mash = priceless
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