Cpvc maifold: drilling holes

[cimirie]

So, I know there are a ton of posts on this topic. I have perused them all, but I am still not 100% on my answer. So here goes.

I am making a cpvc manifold. I am drilling holes in it (as opposed to cutting slits). My question is hole diameter and positioning of holes. I have heard one person say 1/8 inch, but that seems big to me. Should I be OK with that?

My other question is poitioning. I know the holes face down. Should it go straight down? Or (as I'm thinking), would it be a better idea to drill two rows of holes at ~30* from vertical?

What do we think? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[samc]

I don't use mine anymore but as I recall I did 3/32" holes and they were drilled very randomly. Obviously it all depends on the milling of your grains, but a vorlauf will get you clear running wort. I've started using Voile BIAB bags in my keggle MLT and now get super clear wort. If you followed that method then the larger holes would not matter at all and clean up is a matter of dumping the grains out of the bag into the garden or garbage and then wash the bag out.

 

[Ichthy]

I would put your holes straight down to eliminate dead space. As samc said, hole size depends on your crush and overall setup.

 

[metaltim]

according to polarware, they have .093" holes in their false bottoms (3/32")

I drilled slits in mine with my miter saw, they are about .125", and it works great. and it was easy as poo..

 

[wyzazz]

according to polarware, they have .093" holes in their false bottoms (3/32")

I drilled slits in mine with my miter saw, they are about .125", and it works great. and it was easy as poo..

Confused as to how you drill anything with a Miter Saw?

 

[cimirie]

I've always had my lhbs crush my grains. Don't know what their "standard" crush is. As they use that crush for everybody, I would assume neither fine or overly coarse.

I don't currently use a biab setup.

If I were to drill holes straight down to minimize dead space, would it be beneficial at all to flow or efficiency to drill some angled holes as well? Or would that just open me up to clogs without any added benefit? Thanks for the help?

 

[Ichthy]

I think you could drill some angled holes without problem, just don't drill them too high. I used a saw to cut slits in my manifold and they are about 1/3 the depth of the pipe.

 

[DrawTap88]

I drilled mine off center in two alternating rows about an inch apart. Only used it once, but didn't have a lot of deadspace in the bottom of my HD cooler (about 3/8th of an inch of water/wort left over). Obviously though, the more wort you get out, the more efficient you're going to be. Again though, that will also depend on the sparge technique you're using.

In my opinion, you'll be find drilling angled holes as well as straight down. The holes that are straight down will also help in allowing water/wort flow out of manifold after cleaning you MLT.

 

[metaltim]

Confused as to how you drill anything with a Miter Saw?

well.. do you know what a miter saw is? i held my piece of PVC up against the back rail, and brought down the blade (not all the way through obviously). lift up blade, move pvc about an inch over, repeat. i put about 8-10 slots each in 4 pieces of pvc in about 60 seconds flat.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Maybe use a combination of hole sizes, so depending on the crush, you will have the perfect size to match...j/k. Not much differrence how the holes are located in the bottom half of the manifold IMHO.

 

[SamuraiSquirrel]

Hole placement and size isn't as critical as you might think but yes 3/32nd's is a good size.

One row vs two rows vs a ton of holes everywhere ......... doesn't really matter. I've built several manifolds. Used slits, holes, combo of slits+holes. Single row, two rows of holes, 6 rows of holes with holes as close together as I could fit.

Efficiency has been consistent with all of my different manifolds and configurations ...... Now lauter speed, that is another story.

 

[BearNP]

Thanks for asking this ? cimirie, as I have my CPVC manifold sitting in my cooler, ready to have holes/slits cut into it and is on hold until I determine which route to go

 

[Ridemywideglide]

well.. do you know what a miter saw is? i held my piece of PVC up against the back rail, and brought down the blade (not all the way through obviously). lift up blade, move pvc about an inch over, repeat. i put about 8-10 slots each in 4 pieces of pvc in about 60 seconds flat.

Damn Tim, you completely missed the joke being so wrapped up in being an ass..

You said you drilled holes with a miter saw... Pretty imposible from where I sit as well...

Wyzazz was just funnin you.

 

[NicholasMcCoy]

Unless you glue the parts together, than placement isn't really critical as long as the line is straight. You are going to be taking apart and reassembling the manifold each time you rinse/clean it. I would drill one row of holes, and when you put it together and use it for the first time, take note of the placement of the holes, whether straight down or off kilter a bit. If you like the way it performed, put the holes in the same place the next time, if not, adjust the angle.