Keg Flange Stainless Vs Copper

[Florida_Man]

I have been out of the hobby for a little while now. I wanted to upgrade to a better still before continuing (if you look at my first still in my posts you will see why). I decided to wait and build a keg still. Finally found a used and legal keg. I have a Anheuser Busch keg. When looking at all the posts about flanges, I decided I don't want to make my own flange for two reasons. First, I want a real good seal. Second, I think I would ruin the pipe making the easy flange. What I am left with is buying a flange. Copper flanges seem nice but are a lot more expensive than stainless. Would buying a stainless flange and soldering it to the copper column do the same job as using a coper flange? If it is more of a hassle to use stainless, I do not mind using copper. I plan for my column to be two inches.

[zapata]

I have a 2" copper with one of the ss flanges that fits (with heat and a good bit of beating) inside the copper. No problems, and almost as cheap as an easy flange. No problem using stainless, as long as you use appropriate solder, many hardware store solders wont join cu and ss. I use harris or radnor brand stay brite solder and stay clean liquid flux. Easy peasy.

[Yummyrum]

Yeah lead free soft solder and liquid flux for sure .
Just gently apply the heat to the copper not the staino . As soon as the flux starts to splutter , paint on some more with a hog bristle brush and apply your solder . If the heat is right , the solder will pull into the joint .

Make sure both surfaces are shiny clean before starting and apply liberal flux .

Coppers soooo much easy but staino is quite doable

[still_stirrin]

...Copper flanges seem nice but are a lot more expensive than stainless...

“Buy once...cry once”.

Stainless ferrules work and can be soldered (they fit inside of 2” type M nicely). But the copper ferrules are made for 2” copper, so they fit very well and make a solid union when properly soldered.

If you can swing the cash, I’m sure you’ll be happy with the investment.
ss

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

I don't know anyone that cried after buying a 2" ss ferrule. There's no crying in soldering.

Super easy. Just get the SS ferrule. The only reason to get the cu one is if you are looking for that beautiful look. Otherwise, most of us grab the stainless ones and it works out.

[MichiganCornhusker]

I don't know anyone that cried after buying a 2" ss ferrule. There's no crying in soldering.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 50&t=53989

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

T-Pee!

Well, as I stand corrected, I still don't think that there is alot of people who ultimately think that an ez flange is actually easier than a ss ferrule. Sure, the copper one is easiest, and pretty, but the ss is not to be avoided. Right flux and solder, it will be just fine. Besides, it's usually an obnoxiously tight fit as it is, so the solder is more of a vapor sealant at that point than a connection strength point.

There's lots of ways to get it done. If ya got the money, can't make too big an argument against a pretty copper ferrule, though!

[hpby98]

Not going with tri-clamp fittings?

[zapata]

Pretty sure we are talking about triclamps. Specifically the fitting that can put a triclamp on a standard straight pipe is called a ferrule. The diy version is an easy flange.

[Twisted Brick]

T-Pee!

Well, as I stand corrected, I still don't think that there is alot of people who ultimately think that an ez flange is actually easier than a ss ferrule. Sure, the copper one is easiest, and pretty, but the ss is not to be avoided. Right flux and solder, it will be just fine. Besides, it's usually an obnoxiously tight fit as it is, so the solder is more of a vapor sealant at that point than a connection strength point.

Soldering SS ferrules to copper pipe is easy peasy. There's plenty of threads outlining the process, but here's a few tips:

1. Harris stuff is great. Use the liquid flux. Its easier than paste IMO. Get the 3/32" solder if you can find it - more control getting solder in and cleans up nice.
2. For that 'obnoxiously tight fit', bevel the edge of your ferrule. I used a bench grinder. Makes coaxing in with your hammer a breeze.
3. Flatten your solder with a hammer sandwiched between tin foil. Again, helps regulating flow of solder into the joint.

I got my ferrules and tri-clamps from Glacier Tanks. Get the 12mm 2" ones. They're $3.29 each. Quick turnaround.

[Florida_Man]

Thanks everyone for all the advice!
I got a lot to think about and consider know