Just completed my latest project. Screw my false bottom....too many stuck sparges with that thing. Can't wait to try this SS braid Check out the pic below
When I built my MLT I was being cheap and just salvaged stuff I had around the house. Instead of using the SS braided line like most use, I had a roll of SS bug screen like you would use to replace your door or window screen.
I cut a rectangle piece and just rolled it into roughly a 1" tube. Pulled some strands out of the mesh and used these like thread and "sewed" the tube into a permanent shape. Used a small radiator clamp to attach to an outlet hose stuffed through the cooler's drain port.
The large size of this screen allowed the MLT to drain out nicely. I was careful to make sure the entire length of the "mesh tube" had at least 3 layers of screen for proper screening.
After circulating a few times the liquor runs clear just fine.
I did something very similar. However, I formed the ring by just sticking each end of the braid onto a nylon tee. I tried it the way you're using and I didn't like the way it pinched the braid. I'm sure it'll work well, though.