MLT cooler conversion with crushproof braid

nostalgia · 06-04-2009, 09:48 PM

I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this, but here's how I'm doing my MLT. I'm still waiting for my bulkhead fitting to show up, so for now you'll get pictures of the braid. And you'll like it!

Here's the cooler. Picked it up from Target. 50 quart. Notice there is no drain hole in it yet.

While I was trying to figure out how I'd run the braid, I had an idea to keep it from getting crushed - put a stainless steel spring inside! I've seen solutions with drilled copper or CPVC tubing inside, but this is simple, inexpensive, and I don't have to drill a zillion holes in anything.

And here are the parts from McMaster-Carr. 2' of 1/2" expandable mesh sleeving, all-stainless hose clamps, and 20" of stainless steel spring in 1/2" diameter. The copper tee I had in stock.

First order of business is bending the ends of the spring out of the way so they don't catch on the braid.

Then just slide the spring into the braid. Once you get it part of the way in you can inchworm the braid along it quite easily.

Then just put the braid over the ends of the tee and hose clamp them on. Super easy. All of 2 minutes' work, no cutting, no drilling, no crimping.

Price list so far:

Cooler from Target: $20
20" stainless steel spring, p/n 9663K27 $4.55
10-pack of all-stainless clamps, p/n 5321K17 $6.79
2 feet of 1/2" stainless steel expandable mesh sleeving, p/n 1478T3 $5.72

-Joe

**friday** · 06-04-2009, 10:28 PM

I like the spring idea. Im building a bigger mash turn this week. This looks like the ticket.

kronik · 06-05-2009, 12:26 AM

Simply a Brilliant Idea...If my braid ever gets crushed I'll redo it this way maybe...

MikeG · 06-05-2009, 12:28 AM

Very slick. Were you having stuck sparges with your SS braid by itself?

nostalgia · 06-05-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeG

Very slick. Were you having stuck sparges with your SS braid by itself?

No, but I had heard of several people having them, so I thought for $5 it was worth a shot. I'm sure it can't hurt

I folded the frayed ends (of sanity) back inside the tube to make neat ends - I was tired of poking myself with them. Ok, and I'm a little OCD

A couple winds of Teflon tape and two hose clamps finish it off neatly.

I also worked the spring around so the spring ran through the run of the tee-fitting. This gives the braid support at the bending points, so it should make it more durable in the long run. Again, maybe not necessary but I'm a little anal-retentive, and it only takes a second.

-Joe

sjlammer · 06-05-2009, 12:58 AM

Great work. I have been looking for a spring... i never thought to look at mcmaster... kudos

**wilserbrewer** · 06-05-2009, 01:02 PM

Nice idea, that braid material appears finer than the plumbing braid, and also more flexible as it appears to lay flat w/out the spring inserted. Report back w/ lautering results.

**Bobby_M** · 06-05-2009, 02:22 PM

Nice. No doubt the braid there uses smaller gauge individual wires for that flexibility. It should be fine. An alternative is a water heater supply hose which is 3/4" diameter.

**wilserbrewer** · 06-05-2009, 02:47 PM

Just guessing here...might the smaller gauge individual wires create a finer filtering media and be prone to clogging? Or better yet, produce a cleaner, clearer wort?

**EdWort** · 06-05-2009, 03:03 PM

Nicely done!