Flour paste gasket

[Scribbler]

Anyone have an opinion on the lifespan of the old sticky flour dough gaskets?

I've used this stuff lots on a short term basis, but now I'm wondering about building a modular column: instead of triclamp, I'm thinking about bolting it together and using flour paste between each ring.

Any thoughts on how often I would have to pull it apart to chase leaks?

I'm thinking each section would be 7inch diameter by 7inch tall, with a 3/4 inch wide flange.

Flour sure would be the EASIEST method...

--- scribbler

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Danespirit]

Don't do it..!
Flour paste is a great seal and I use it for my boiler lid.
However, I only use it once (twice if I make a run immediately after the first).
As a seal between column pieces, it's not a good option, though..
Use PTFE tape. Roll it to a thin string and put it between the parts you want to join (make a ring with some overlapping)....tighten the bolts and it should be leak free.
You can test it with water before you're going to make a run with it.
Flour paste will harden up and get brittle on the outside surface, it will just crumble away.
The inside will still be wet and soft...an excellent place for mold to develop.

[der wo]

Flour paste works good at places, where it gets hot before it gets wet. For example to seal the boiler is great with flour paste. But for example the connection from lyne arm to condenser is weak with paste.
IMO the best solution for the most connections is this:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=28791

[still_stirrin]

Scribbler,

You're going to build a modular flute and you are actually thinking of "cutting corners" on the section-joining gaskets? Shame on you!

Flour paste is a good "make do" solution for leaky joints. But I certainly would not PLAN to use it to assemble such a time-invested build. Plan for success...not repairs.
ss

[Scribbler]

Darn... I figured that would be the case...

I guess I will go with ptfe!

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[corene1]

I agree with what has already been said. I am curious about the 7 inch diameter though. That is a BIG column.

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

[Scribbler]

7 inch... just because I need to do something with all the copper I have laying around...

Also, I've noticed that when I cut rings of copper sheet and then hammer out the inside edge to make a flange that will insert into a tube or pipe, I get a LOT better results with bigger diameter rings... I am able to get a nicer taller lip before it starts tearing...

So... 7 inches because it will be easier to build...

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Scribbler]

What I'd REALLY like to do is...

Cut a 7" dia by 3/4" wide ring out of cereal box cardboard, wrap it in ptfe tape to a nice 1/8" thickness, and then drill my bolt hole pattern in the center...

But I'm worried that drilling through will mangle and fray my nicely laid ptfe...

Maybe... sandwich the gasket between two flanges, drill a hole and bolt it, then do another one on the opposite side... keep going around so you are never drilling and bolting right beside the one you just did.. (like how you tighten the lugs when changing a car tire)

I like the idea of the bolts going through the gasket and putting good even pressure.. rather than the cantilever effect you would get by using a smaller gasket and a ring of bolts just on the outside of it.

Sorry.. I am NOT an engineer, or a machinist... I may not be describing this correctly...

I can clarify if needed.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Mikey-moo]

Why not just buy a sheet of ptfe, cut it to shape and drill your holes in that?

[corene1]

You can also cut your gasket from copper sheet then drill it and wrap with teflon tape. You could also make a copper ring that will sit slightly inside the bolt pattern and wrap it with teflon. It doesn't need to be the size of the flange to seal well. Many water line flanges are done that way . The bolts hold the gasket centered and then clamp it for a seal.

[still_stirrin]

Why not just buy a sheet of ptfe, cut it to shape and drill your holes in that?

+1 x 100!

"Make operable" doesn't mean you have to design it that way. Order some PTFE sheet and (carefully) cut it out to fit your EZ flange. OK...it isn't cheap...don't you be cheap too. In the long run, you'll be better "invested" if you use the best tools/materials for the job.

Scribbler, you know this. Cutting corners to "low ball" your still will cause you grief and recurring cost/effort for repairs.
ss

[Scribbler]

Sh*t!!! WTF???!!! you can DO that? I didn't know it came in sheets! Similar feel as the tape, but thicker?

Problem solved! Amazon, here I come!!!

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[still_stirrin]

...Amazon, here I come!!!

Sumpin' like 'dis...
https://www.amazon.com/HFS-Adhesive-Thi ... tfe+sheets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Scribbler]

Ss---- you are right... I do know this... but I have a wife who does not! (Lol
.. I love her dearly)

Plus, I have a natural inclination towards diy work arounds...

On a happy happy happy note, for Christmas, my wife ordered me a sheet metal punch, handtool thing (kinda like tin snips) with a whole bunch of different sized dyes.

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO NOT HAVING TO USE A DRILL PRESS SO MUCH ON MY COPPER!! NO MORE CRATERS, DENTS, AND BURRS!!!!

(all caps... I really am that excited. Dorky, but so what?)

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Scribbler]

...Amazon, here I come!!!

Sumpin' like 'dis...
https://www.amazon.com/HFS-Adhesive-Thi ... tfe+sheets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

.35 mm..... I think that is 1/32"..... is than thick enough for a gasket? Or should I stack several together?

I am excited by this... it's not nearly as expensive as I had feared!

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[The Baker]

Scribbler said, "I am able to get a nicer taller lip before it starts tearing..."

probably should not tear IF YOU ANNEAL THE COPPER before you work it and from time to time.
I had the mufffler man expand the ends of some copper tube (for 'slip' joins') and sometimes they split, because he did not want to anneal the copper.
I am not an expert but look it up. It is simple.
Geoff

[Scribbler]

Annealing.... people say that like it's a simple thing, but I've never figured it out!! so many contradictory (or... alternately confusing) things about it...

As pointed out, this app sucks for searching.

I guess I'll have to take the long way around and use my computer to Google it at home.


Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[still_stirrin]

Annealing.... people say that like it's a simple thing, but I've never figured it out!!....As pointed out, this app sucks for searching.

B.S.

Here's where you start: https://www.google.com/search?rls=en-us ... l%2Bcopper" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

"Belly up to the bar" and read a while.
ss

[Scribbler]

Yeah. Sorry. Having a bad day here. My head is in too many places, some of them kinda bad. (Just spent am hour trying to get my semi unstuck because this damn parking lot has an inch of ice and a slight bowl shape.

Putting on tire chains never makes a trucker happy.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Truckinbutch]

Snow , you can go . Ice , no dice ! Park that sumbitch and concentrate on the important things .

[corene1]

.35mm is about .014 inches pretty thin stuff there. You need at least 2 mm . or 1/16 (.065)
Annealing is quite easy . Heat the copper up until you see the colored rainbow type flash on the surface then go a bit hotter then quench it in water quickly . Done deal.

[Scribbler]

.35mm is about .014 inches pretty thin stuff there. You need at least 2 mm . or 1/16 (.065)
Annealing is quite easy . Heat the copper up until you see the colored rainbow type flash on the surface then go a bit hotter then quench it in water quickly . Done deal.

Multiple layers, or should I hold off and be on the lookout for thicker stock?

The quenching. Good lord, why did I forget the quenching?

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Scribbler]

Snow , you can go . Ice , no dice ! Park that sumbitch and concentrate on the important things .

The weather is actually PERFECT winter driving: cold, but totally dry roads.

This was a mall parking lot. My 8 year old son was with me and we decided to get milkshakes as a last treat on our return home. We were an hour away from home... aggravating.

Funny thing. The exact same thing happened to me at that same spot back when I first started driving. It's like the black hole for trucks. Or maybe just me.

Home safe and sound.

Hoping to fiddle with copper this weekend.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Mikey-moo]

I'd go for 1 thicker sheet over several thinner ones stacked together... but that's just my personal preference. Easier to fabricate and all.