Copper Manifold Question

BadKarma · 06-05-2007, 06:35 PM

I didn't want to hijack orfy's thread.

Should I solder mine when I build it or will it be okay just to push them together?

I was thinking I should solder to keep it from coming apart while stirring, but I noticed that alot of the CPVC ones are just pressed together.

Thanks y'all.

Karma

**bradsul** · 06-05-2007, 06:38 PM

Personally I soldered mine but used a union so I could easily remove it. I had problems maintaining a syphon with a friction fit.

BadKarma · 06-05-2007, 06:45 PM

Thanks Brad.

Other than the lead free silver solder, should I get anything special for the flux?

This is my first attempt at soldering so I'm a complete noob here.

**bradsul** · 06-05-2007, 07:10 PM

I just used standard flux that you'd use on a water supply line. Self-cleaning, that's about it. As you mentioned, lead free solder is the most important part.

BadKarma · 06-05-2007, 07:20 PM

Thanks a bunch Brad.

**Orfy** · 06-05-2007, 07:33 PM

Mine's soldered at key points to help the syphon effct with a few joints push fit to allow for easy cleaning.

BadKarma · 06-05-2007, 08:52 PM

Thanks orfy.

I was sitting here thinking about how to cut the slots. A hacksaw on so many cuts seems like a lot of time and effort. How about a Dremel, making cuts long ways on the pipe? Instead of across the pipe, cut small short one's going long ways. The Dremel would have problems cutting across a pipe due to clearance of the tool, but going along with the pipe would be no problem.

Any thoughts?

**Orfy** · 06-05-2007, 08:53 PM

I did both length ways underneath.

Use a dremmel but make sure you have plenty of disks and a few spindles.

A hacksaw blade crates a lot of swarf.

BadKarma · 06-05-2007, 08:55 PM

Thanks my brew brother!

I have plenty of discs. The Dremel is the best $70 I ever spent!!!

**bradsul** · 06-05-2007, 09:03 PM

If you have a drillpress you could drill holes instead. That's what I did for mine and it works great - I wouldn't attempt it without a drillpress though.