Cheap Copper at Home Depot

[Chupidacabra]

Send it to me sir. I'll dispose of this defective item properly!

 

[Bru-noob]

HD in Whittier has one left as of yesterday. 50' 1/2" for less than $20.

HD in Pico Rivera had two ( I bought one) and the other looked like a return.. Paid $19.xx

 

[Hello]

Nothing in Apex, NC. Obviously I was pretty late to the party but frankly, I was hopeful.

 

[MNSmitty]

Nothing in the Eden Prairie, MN or Plymouth, MN stores. All regular priced.

 

[mccoconnor]

Anyone have thoughts about using Type L vs ACR " refrigeration" copper tube? Pros and cons of using one vs the other for either an IC or CFC?
I got some of the copper from HD too and I'm trying to figure out which to use etc.
Thanks.

 

[Aceandover]

The diff between the 2 is just refridge is outside diameter and the other is inside diameter so 1/2" refridge coil we all got is just 3/8" of standArd plumbing stuff other then that it's all the same use it for whatever just give it a good cleaning

 

[Topher79]

I stopped by the Peachtree City, GA location this morning to pick up another roll. Here's what's left in case anyone wanted to make a trip:

(2) 60' Rolls of 3/8"; $28.03
(1) 50' Roll of 5/8" OD; $28.03
(1) 60 Roll of 1/2" ID; $35.03

 

[Babybatch]

Bought one left one. Now what else do I need?

 

[ttf5003]

I picked up a roll of 1/2" x 50'. This was great timing as I was just gathering everything to do my first full boil batch. It doesn't look too bad but I'd like to know how everyone on this site has perfect looking coils. It is in a 32 quart pot for reference.

 

[MindenMan]

Perfect coils has a lot to do with being really anal. You appear to be a new brewer, and most of the coil makers are not. I too am sometimes too anal for my own good, especially when a little surprise of some sort happens while I am in the middle of brewing. The number of inanimate object that become airborne grows with each passing minute... Honestly, I too am surprised how perfect some the coils are, and to be honest, I doubt mine will look anywhere near as good as the examples we see here.
What did you use for your inside and outside forms?

 

[ttf5003]

I used a CO2 canister for the interior wrap and then wrapped two folded up towels around everything for the outer. I was only unwrapping a few feet at a time. Depending on the bend some went on easily and others were like wrestling a snake. Also it was very difficult to figure out where the halfway point should be with the different coil diameters.

 

[BridgewaterBrewer]

Ttf5003 it looks good to me.
I went to my local HD in NJ and they were on clearance but the last few coils were sitting in a cart with a note that said "Mike's project". I'm thinking they have an employee who's a home brewer... Damn.

 

[MindenMan]

Less than 1 hour ago, I went into my local HD to get some fittings for my 5/8" o.d. IC. While I was there I noticed a 50' roll of 1/2" tubing on top of the clearance stack of 5/8" 50' rolls. It occurred to me, the unmarked 1/2" x 50 foot roll sitting loose with zip ties and a anti theft thingy on it had to be $27.xx just like the ones below it. Since there were no other rolls of 1/2" x 50' to be found anywhere, the one in the box was scanned for the price, and the unmarked went home with me for $27.xx. Cool huh?
Now what do I do with it? All reasonable offers discussed.

 

[Aceandover]

LoL but the 1/2" x 50' is $20.03 at my HD u might payed an extra few

 

[beerME_319]

Louden, Ten HD had two rolls of 3/8 of $28

 

[nickrose]

Thanks for the heads up! I got 2 rolls of 50' of 1/2" OD for $20 each (one for me, another for a buddy). Not bad!

Quick question though. I am about to get a keggle. I've read that with 50' you would need to expand the chiller a bit if you are boiling larger batches. Thoughts?
The reason I ask is I was thinking of getting a second roll for myself and soldering two together. Basically making a big chiller. What does everyone think? I'm very interested to hear everyone's thoughts.
Thanks!

(Sorry if this isn't the best thread. Wanted to start here.)

 

[evandena]

Thanks for the heads up! I got 2 rolls of 50' of 1/2" OD for $20 each (one for me, another for a buddy). Not bad!

Quick question though. I am about to get a keggle. I've read that with 50' you would need to expand the chiller a bit if you are boiling larger batches. Thoughts?
The reason I ask is I was thinking of getting a second roll for myself and soldering two together. Basically making a big chiller. What does everyone think? I'm very interested to hear everyone's thoughts.
Thanks!

(Sorry if this isn't the best thread. Wanted to start here.)

50' should be plenty

 

[MindenMan]

Aceandover, although I appreciate you sense of humor, my local HD had only 1 item in the store for $27.xx, the 5/8" x 50'. I walked to the register to price check the other tubing, and no dice. It was through creative shopping I got the 1/2" coil at that price.

 

[nickrose]

50' should be plenty

Cool, thanks Eric!

 

[MindenMan]

Here are three photos I took of my IC build, the first coil wasn't bad except one kink I chose to cut out and splice. The second coil my buddy helped me roll and we used a sonotube as a bobbin. One small issue, we wrapped the second coil the same rotation as the first, and had only opened beers without drinking them yet. I will have to Frankenstein them together. More pictures to follow.

EDIT: see next post

 

[MindenMan]

Here are the three photos, This is my my first attempt to phpto post

 

[McRoth]

Here is my counter flow chiller made from 3/8id and 3/4id copper. About 55 feet long. I put a port on the outlet for a temp probe. I had to use my little winch to pull the 3/8 through ! Would have liked the coils to be a little neater, but I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[MTBbrewer]

Thanks for the heads up on this. My local HD had one box left for $20.00, so I grabbed it.

 

[jbnla]

I got one yesterday at my local HD for $21. Thanks for the info.

 

[FLBrew]

I got one yesterday at my local HD for $21. Thanks for the info.

No problem!

 

[JohnSand]

Great thread. I checked Riverhead NY, no luck.

 

[bigmike99]

60' of 1/2 for $27 at coram Ny Home Depot. Didn't see anymore of it there. Thanks for the heads up. Now to find a DIY thread.

 

[JohnSand]

Hey Mike, glad you scored the copper. I found some on ebay for a good price. There are cheap bending tools on Amazon, but I've had good luck bending tubing around jars or pipes for tight bends. A pot or bucket will do for the loops. There are some instructions in Palmer's "How to Brew". You can find the first edition online. I read somewhere that a washing machine hose will fit the ends of a 3/8", maybe not the 1/2". But some hose clamps, vinyl tube, hose fittings will make quick work of it.

 

[evandena]

Anyone willing to sell one? I'm at wits end trying to find 50' for under $95. I'd gladly pay a premium to any member.

 

[bigmike99]

Thanks. Might try to go big and include a pump and everything to chill so the wife gets off my back about all the wasted water. Makes my life easier anyway. If I see any other deals while at local HD's I'll lyk.