DIY false bottom? Will this work???

[hs0656]

Well d***!! I hate to hear that. Were the thread patterns different or something? I dont understand why it wouldnt work for you.

 

[JetSmooth]

Not threads. The 1/2" copper pipe I have, which I used to make the dip tube for my kettle, won't fit into the compression fitting. I suppose it's because rigid copper "pipe" has a different wall thickness than copper "tube". I didn't think about that when I first cooked this idea up.

Going to Lowes tomorrow to see what parts I can grab to make this work.

Though, if worse comes to worse, I can always make a copper pipe manifold for the bottom and abandon the $20 I paid for the splatter guard. In any case, it shouldn't affect your false bottom because you could always get the proper copper tubing (soft copper tubing, if I recall) and use the compression fitting (may sell you mine if I can't use it). I already made the hole in my FB, which would be too big for the smaller OD soft copper tubing, but I think you could make it work.

Will know more tomorrow, I hope.

 

[JetSmooth]

Here, this sorta explains where I went wrong.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pipes-tubes-d_347.html

I think I can salvage this.

 

[hs0656]

Jet, were you able to discover any items at Lowes today that would allow you to salvage your project? I was intending on going myself but got wrapped up on my kettle project. Im going to go tomorrow and try to find a compression fitting and copper pipe that I can make work. If I cant find anything there, Ill probably hit up all the hardware stores in town here and see what I can make work. I definitely wanna use brass and copper if possible to save some cash-ola. Ill post pics of my kettle progress thus far....

 

[hs0656]

So, I took a few pictures throughout and this is the result. It was a nasty old keg at first. I free handed the top removal with an angle grinder and the result was smooth and round. Then I polished the exterior with many different levels of sandpaper, steel wool, and lubricant (not to mention elbow grease). And finally installed the valve I purchased from bargain fittings. It was a breeze and thankfully held water with no leakage!! Now if I can only make that $.75 false bottom work! It seems awfully small inside the keg though. Not sure if she'll do the trick or not...

 

[JetSmooth]

Jet, were you able to discover any items at Lowes today that would allow you to salvage your project? I was intending on going myself but got wrapped up on my kettle project. Im going to go tomorrow and try to find a compression fitting and copper pipe that I can make work. If I cant find anything there, Ill probably hit up all the hardware stores in town here and see what I can make work. I definitely wanna use brass and copper if possible to save some cash-ola. Ill post pics of my kettle progress thus far....

Nah, I didn't. Spent the day walking around Baltimore with the wife and kiddo. Priorities. . . . . Mine are all messed up. . . . shoulda been working on homerbewing.

If you get a compression fitting, make sure you get soft copper tube and not "pipe" and you should be cool.

I'm going to abando the DIY false bottom for now and make a copper manifold. I may get back to it later, but I want to clal this phase of my build done so I can go on to the brewing.

The keggle looks pretty sweet!

 

[hs0656]

So, I got the pick up tube finished today. I contemplated using soft copper tube and using a side tube and just doing the whirlpool. But, I figured that the more fluid I get the more beer Ill have. Plus, a little extra trub in beer isnt always such a bad thing. Still planning on trying to use this false bottom with some SS wire screen, but may have to break down and just buy one if it doesnt work. Anyways, tell me what ya think!

 

[JetSmooth]

Yup. That's exactly what I was thinking you'd do.

Looks good.

A little SS mesh to fill the holes and maybe a washer to tighten that center pickup hole would do. Or a bit of silicone tubing stuck over the copper tube too.