Copper manifold questions

Copper manifold questions

Post by Bill Buchana » Tue, 30 Jan 2001 14:20:13



Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.
 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Joel Curti » Tue, 30 Jan 2001 15:29:19


Well, 1/2" stuff should all fit together.   You shouldn't have to sweat the
parts for a manifold though.  They don't need to be sealed.  Just take a pair of
pliers and very slightly deform the ends of the tubes.  Just enough that they
still fit in the connectors, and hold tight with friction.  This way you can
disassemble the whole thing to clean it or clear a clog.
-Joel
Quote:

> Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
> elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
> doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
>*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
> just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.


 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by frozenw.. » Tue, 30 Jan 2001 16:02:16


I have a copper manifold for my 84 quart cooler. Initially was I was just
going to crimp this slightly so the pieces would stay together but could
be easily dismantled for cleaning. Well, that was a bad plan. After major
disaster in which the tubing came a part during the mash I simply used
small stainless steel metal screws to hold the system together. It has
worked like a charm ever since. I found that just flushing the system out
with hot water works fine without the need for taking everything apart.
Anyways, you may wish to blow off the soldering and just***the whole
thing so to speak.

As far as tubing size goes I believe the tube and elbows are both 1/2
inches. I'm not sure but....

Cheers,

Scott Stihler



Quote:
> Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
> elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
> doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
>*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
> just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

Sent via Deja.com
http://www.FoundCollection.com/
 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Tom Kovaci » Tue, 30 Jan 2001 23:50:38


You probably purchased 1/2" coiled tubing and 1/2" fittings for
straight length water pipe.  They are different sizes.  1/2" water
pipe is nominally 1/2" inside diameter while 1/2" tubing is 1/2"
outside diameter.  For tubing, you have to purchase either flared
fittings or compression fittings.  Welding type fittings will not
work.


| Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a
copper
| manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper
tubing and
| elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well
at all!
| They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.
I've
| read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but
it just
| doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never
done a
|*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it
could be
| just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.
|
|

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Tom Davidso » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 00:13:10


Tubing and pipe are sized differently, pipe by i.d. and tubing by o.d.

1/2" hard pipe is 1/2" inside diameter. 5/8" tubing is 5/8" OUTSIDE diameter and
1/2" INSIDE diameter and will match up with 1/2" fittings to the hard pipe

Quote:

> Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
> elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
> doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
>*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
> just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Tony Verhuls » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 00:39:13


Have a look at my slotted copper manifols on my RIMS page (under
construction).  No soldering required.
http://www.FoundCollection.com/~verhulst/RIMS/rims.htm

Tony

Quote:
> Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
> elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
> doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
>*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
> just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

--

It takes me a long time to lose my temper, but once lost I could
not find it with a dog.

Mark Twain

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Kevin Sin » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 00:00:44


Hi Bill.

Check out my web site to see how my 5 gallon manifold went together.  Just
click on the "First All Grain" link and go to page 3 for pics.

www3.sympatico.ca/skinnrz

Cheers!
Kevin in Essex


Quote:
> Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing
and
> elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it
just
> doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
>*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could
be
> just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Bill Buchana » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 06:23:32


That's most likely what I did.  I bought the soft copper stuff (comes
in coils).  Is this the right stuff?  If so, what fittings should I use?



Quote:

> Tubing and pipe are sized differently, pipe by i.d. and tubing by o.d.

> 1/2" hard pipe is 1/2" inside diameter. 5/8" tubing is 5/8" OUTSIDE
diameter and
> 1/2" INSIDE diameter and will match up with 1/2" fittings to the hard
pipe


> > Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a
copper
> > manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper
tubing and
> > elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well
at all!
> > They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating
thusfar.  I've
> > read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings
but it just
> > doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never
done a
> >*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it
could be
> > just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

Sent via Deja.com
http://www.FoundCollection.com/
 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Tom Davidso » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 07:46:35


I think you bought 1/2" o.d. tubing (in coils). It's the right stuff but not
in my opinion the most convenient (cheap) size to work with. If you are
intent on using it you will need compression fittings.

I use 5/8" tubing (in coils) and 1/2" hard copper pipe together with
everyday ordinary cheap 1/2" fittings as much as possible.

Always try to test fit everything right in the plumbing aisle. Or just
collect pieces every Sunday at the Home Despot. I have quite the Junior Mad
Plumber Erector Set.

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Joel Curti » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 09:03:12


You can use compression fittings to make what you have work, but it would be
much cheaper to just go buy a length of pipe.  1 or 2 compression fittings
will cost the same as 8 feet of pipe.
-Joel
Quote:

> That's most likely what I did.  I bought the soft copper stuff (comes
> in coils).  Is this the right stuff?  If so, what fittings should I use?



> > Tubing and pipe are sized differently, pipe by i.d. and tubing by o.d.

> > 1/2" hard pipe is 1/2" inside diameter. 5/8" tubing is 5/8" OUTSIDE
> diameter and
> > 1/2" INSIDE diameter and will match up with 1/2" fittings to the hard
> pipe


> > > Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a
> copper
> > > manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper
> tubing and
> > > elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well
> at all!
> > > They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating
> thusfar.  I've
> > > read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings
> but it just
> > > doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never
> done a
> > >*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it
> could be
> > > just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

> Sent via Deja.com
> http://www.FoundCollection.com/

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Joel Curti » Wed, 31 Jan 2001 09:05:33


You are right, they can come apart during the mash.  You just have to be careful
and you can't stir the mash.  If you assemble it tight and don't disturb it, there
is no reason why it would come apart.
Your idea of screws is more secure though, for sure.
-Joel
Quote:

> I have a copper manifold for my 84 quart cooler. Initially was I was just
> going to crimp this slightly so the pieces would stay together but could
> be easily dismantled for cleaning. Well, that was a bad plan. After major
> disaster in which the tubing came a part during the mash I simply used
> small stainless steel metal screws to hold the system together. It has
> worked like a charm ever since. I found that just flushing the system out
> with hot water works fine without the need for taking everything apart.
> Anyways, you may wish to blow off the soldering and just***the whole
> thing so to speak.

> As far as tubing size goes I believe the tube and elbows are both 1/2
> inches. I'm not sure but....

> Cheers,

> Scott Stihler



> > Help the mechanically hopeless.  I'm attempting to construct a copper
> > manifold for my 5 gallon cooler.  I purchased 10' of 1/2" copper tubing and
> > elbows and t's that were also 1/2".  These fittings don't fit well at all!
> > They seem way to big and I've been unsuccessful at sweating thusfar.  I've
> > read in two places that someone used 1/2" tube and 1/2" fittings but it just
> > doesn't look right at all.  Can anyone confirm or deny?  I've never done a
> >*** of plumbing in my life so I'm not ruling out the fact that it could be
> > just my inability/inexperience with pipe sweating.  Thanks.

> Sent via Deja.com
> http://www.FoundCollection.com/

 
 
 

Copper manifold questions

Post by Phil » Tue, 30 Jan 2001 22:00:42



Quote:
> I have a copper manifold for my 84 quart cooler. Initially was I was just
> going to crimp this slightly so the pieces would stay together but could
> be easily dismantled for cleaning. Well, that was a bad plan. After major
> disaster in which the tubing came a part during the mash I simply used
> small stainless steel metal screws to hold the system together. It has
> worked like a charm ever since. I found that just flushing the system out
> with hot water works fine without the need for taking everything apart.
> Anyways, you may wish to blow off the soldering and just***the whole
> thing so to speak.

I use plastic pipe clips which I have positioned so that the foot of the
clip is against the side wall of my mash tun. Also I made sure that it was
big enough so that the walls get in the way in any case.

--
Cyclops