aekdbbop
Well-Known Member
What is the easiest way to bend a piece of 1/2" copper tubing to make a pickup tube?
I am going to be making it into an "S" shape..
thanks!
I am going to be making it into an "S" shape..
thanks!
aekdbbop said:What is the easiest way to bend a piece of 1/2" copper tubing to make a pickup tube?
I am going to be making it into an "S" shape..
thanks!
Same idea, yes. Same technique, no.aekdbbop said:well, i have done circuitry soldering, same idea?
rdwj said:Linky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aekdbbop said:yeah, 1/2 compression adapters was all i could find, so i had to get 1/2 copper also.. i guess i will venture into soldering a little deeper!
So i need:
2: 1/2" copper elbows
flux
solder
what gauge solder?
Get a roll of solder in the plumbing section. It's pretty thick (mine's 1/8"). I've never seen a wire gauge on it, but it's probably 4 to 8 gauge stuff.aekdbbop said:what gauge solder?
Cheesefood said:Easier said than done.
the_bird said:Look, even freakin' BierMuncher managed to solder together a wort chiller! It ain't that hard, you've just got to practice a bit.
mr x said:When doing that kind of hand stuff, some people will fill the tubing you are bending with sand to help it from crushing.
aekdbbop said:well, like desertbrew.. didnt he just bend it himself?
Yuri_Rage said:Same idea, yes. Same technique, no.
Clean the fittings with sandpaper (120-220 grit) - a few seconds of sanding to get them mostly shiny is all that is required). Apply a thin coat of flux everywhere you want solder to flow (on both sides of the joint). Push the fittings together snugly, and hold them with a pair of pliers or a vice. Apply torch heat for a few seconds. Concentrate the heat closer to the female side of the joint. Move the torch away, and touch the solder to the edge of the joint. If it's hot enough, the solder will wick right into the joint. If little or no melting occurs, heat it some more. Never just use the flame to melt the solder - you'll get a leaky, cold joint.
I thought we talked about using 3/8" tubing. 1/2" is significantly harder to bend, and I have to concur that soldering some elbows is the way to go at this point.
Cheesefood said:Is it just me, or upon seeing the title does anyone else think of She Who Must Not Be Named bent over a couch?
Virtuous said:You can get the copper too hot and it will not wick up the solder worth a bean. General rule is sand both mating ends, flux the hell out of it, heat the part that is on the outside, when the flux stop bubbling count to 3 and touch the seam with the solder. Perfect solder joints every time. Should see a real think silver ring around the seam. Bigger the glob better the job does not apply here.
Completely off topic. One of my favorite tricks for working on lines with water in them is to grab some white bread, tear the crust off and ball it up real tight. shove it into the pipe and shove it way back to keep the water away from the area you are trying to sweat. Sweat your joint up . Turn the water pressure back on and open the closet faucet and that clump of bread will break up and come on out. Best plumbing trick ever.
Virtuous said:Completely off topic. One of my favorite tricks for working on lines with water in them is to grab some white bread, tear the crust off and ball it up real tight. shove it into the pipe and shove it way back to keep the water away from the area you are trying to sweat. Sweat your joint up . Turn the water pressure back on and open the closet faucet and that clump of bread will break up and come on out. Best plumbing trick ever.
abracadabra said:Bending copper is easy get rolled copper not straight sections. Then find something sturdy that has the curviture you are looking for ie: a 6" piece of PVC pipe then simply rap the copper around the pipe. Pipe benders work well for 1 or 2 bends but say for making an IC with many curves the 6" pipe is better.
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