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Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:54 pm
by J88
I know this is a common problem and its been cover here before but i cant seem to find a solid answer. Iv been looking a solution for this on here for 2 weeks and havent had any luck (maybe just not a very good searcher :( ) Iv tried to silver solder the copper right to the lid and failed pretty hard.I was thinking a cooper union but they are super expensive! I cant seem to find a flange thats less than $50 at 2in. So whats the best, reasonably inexpensive fix for this? Any help is appreciated thanks.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:59 am
by holliday
I can't speak for everyone but what I done was cut a small ring from my pipe and then cut a slit in it. I done that and got two small copper rings. I then slid my pipe through my stainless steel lid and put a ring on each side and soldered it with lead free solder and flux. Make sure you rough your copper with some sand paper. If you need pics let me know.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:08 am
by J88
holliday wrote:I can't speak for everyone but what I done was cut a small ring from my pipe and then cut a slit in it. I done that and got two small copper rings. I then slid my pipe through my stainless steel lid and put a ring on each side and soldered it with lead free solder and flux. Make sure you rough your copper with some sand paper. If you need pics let me know.
I think I know what you're talking about but would love pics. Thanks!

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:34 am
by just-a-sip
the trick to to soldering copper to stainless is easier then you think. it has to do with what your using not so much how your doing it.
first make sure you sand and clean the surface well before starting this ensures the area is clan of debris that will hinder a good seal, and will allow for a more roughed up surface for the solder to wet into.

second you cant use the same solder and flux you buy at the local hardware store. this is for ,ow temp soldering. find a welding or plumbing specific supply store (or look online) for a flux and solder pacific to "Brazing" or high temp soldering. mine is an industrial brand so you wont find it. but if you do a search for stay clean flux. i think you will find many members here are using it. then you need to make sure your using a silver solder rather then a tin solder. some members i think have mentioned using tin solder but im not sure exactly, i know for a fact that silver solder is the ticket.

get these things and you will be good to go.

also if your doing a larger joint like 2" or bigger ensure your using a map torch or acetylene combo. your propane torch will be more difficult to use because of heat dissipation in the larger joint. and if your using silver solder it just wont be hot enough to wet to the stainless.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:58 am
by supham
Has anyone tried mounting a sink drain upside down to a lid? Then use a female adapter to get to 'straight' copper? Seems like it would work but I'm sure I'm overlooking something....

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:37 am
by holliday
Rad done that on his still. Only thing is sink drains are 1.5 inches

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:36 pm
by supham
holliday wrote: Only thing is sink drains are 1.5 inches
True, but guessing here.... if looking to attach to a stainless lid, I suspect it is at most a 4 - 5 gal pot. Do you really need anything larger than 1.5" ?

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:55 pm
by holliday
Your correct but in the original post he said that he was looking for 2in adapters.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:10 pm
by J88
I bought a copper drain and tryd that but I found out later it wasn't lead free. If I took it to a welding shop do you think they could get it attached for me? I was also looking at copper flanges for attaching hand rails to walls but I doubt they are lead free.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:41 pm
by holliday
Did you attempt the method I explained? Sorry I haven't got a pic yet.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:21 pm
by J88
holliday wrote:Did you attempt the method I explained? Sorry I haven't got a pic yet.
No I haven't, I was waiting for pics but I'm on my phone right now so I might not be able to see them.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:05 pm
by holliday
Image
Image

It's a bit messy but it works. Like I said I cut thin strips off ky pipe then cut em and put one on each side of the lid on the pipe then soldered

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:36 pm
by J88
holliday wrote: It's a bit messy but it works. Like I said I cut thin strips off ky pipe then cut em and put one on each side of the lid on the pipe then soldered
So you kind of sandwiched it in there with the copper pieces and didnt solder it to the stainless really right? Is it pretty sturdy?

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:08 pm
by holliday
It's very sturdy. And yes just sandwiched the stainless steel with the copper rings. This was the only way I could get the two together.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:09 pm
by holliday
Also I fluxed it all and when I soldered the top it kind of ran to the bottom helping seal the space.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:47 pm
by J88
holliday wrote:Also I fluxed it all and when I soldered the top it kind of ran to the bottom helping seal the space.
Ill look into that rout thanks. I already have a 2in 90 that i can cut up for the sleeves. First im going to take it to a welding shop and see if they have some fittings and can braze it right to it but this seams alot easier!

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:28 pm
by holliday
Let me know if you attempt my method and how it goes for you

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:39 pm
by J88
holliday wrote:Let me know if you attempt my method and how it goes for you
Ill let you know if thats the way we go. We will probably try to put it together this weekend.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:06 pm
by DistillIT
I had a SS pressure cooker and I removed the nipple that you put the wobbler on. Then I took a step drill bit and drilled a hole just large enough to thread my 3/4" threaded fitting in. I was going to use another threaded piece on the inside to sand which the lid, but didn't need to because the adapter was in tight and didn't leak.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:16 am
by striker85
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=27056

And use a SS sink flange. I have 1.5" SS piping that I put an "easy flange" on and it threads right on to the sink flange with the brass nut it came with. If you want 2" pipe, maybe do that and then find a 2-1.5" reducer.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:45 am
by just-a-sip
If your taking it to the welder just have him tig weld it on. Not many welders even realize its possible but trust me it sure is. I tig welded my temp probe port straight to my column. To bad i didnt learn it was possible to do till after i was almost done.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:41 pm
by J88
just-a-sip wrote:If your taking it to the welder just have him tig weld it on. Not many welders even realize its possible but trust me it sure is. I tig welded my temp probe port straight to my column. To bad i didnt learn it was possible to do till after i was almost done.
Tig weld the copper to the stainless?

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:43 pm
by rad14701
Not to be a Negative Nelly but that solder joint show definite signs of a failed bond due to heat sink differences between stainless and copper... It might be sealed but not the best join...

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:38 am
by J88
holliday wrote:Let me know if you attempt my method and how it goes for you
Ok so heres what i did. I flared out the end of my 2in pipe and cut it to size. Then i got a sleeve that connects 2in pipe to its self and flared that at the end too. Then put a gasket on the outside layer not touching any of the product,put it together, clamped it real tight soldered it. it seams very strong and im happy with it. Heres some pics due to me not being about to type what i wanna say.
http://imgur.com/a/Aqgk6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:32 am
by thekubiaks
Very clever J88.

How did you flare the ends?

Did you have to make two wood jigs, one for the coupler and one for the pipe?

Did you solder the underside of the lid as well as top to prevent leaks?

Thanks for the pictures.

Re: Attaching copper pipe to stainless lid

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:58 pm
by J88
thekubiaks wrote:Very clever J88.

How did you flare the ends?

Did you have to make two wood jigs, one for the coupler and one for the pipe?

Did you solder the underside of the lid as well as top to prevent leaks?

Thanks for the pictures.
For the flairs i put a hose clamp around the pipe not very high up and just hit it with a small sledge hammer and then a regular hammer to flatten it out.

I dont know what you mean by jigs but no i didnt do anything like that.

No i didnt solder the bottom i just pressed them together and soldered the inside. I dont know how to solder to stainless, but iv ran some vinegar threw it and did the mirror check and had no leaks. I did flour paste around where it comes out of the lid though.

You're very welcome, i know this is a difficult part of the build so i wanted everyone to see how i managed it. Took weeks to figure it out lol.