Loose fitting ferrules

[brewbob]

With a recent build I ran into a problem, ferrules that are really loose in the copper pipe. They are 1/2" ss. Problem is the "stem" on the ferrule measured exactly .500", 1/2" copper measures .565 ID, leaving a 32 thousands gap and making almost impossible to solder. I didn't want to shim the gap and after a few beers I had a strange idea, I have a bridgeport...see if I can reduce it using a 5/8" collet. Did a test piece and it kinda worked then did a piece of pipe in a 5/8" collet just far enough to fit into a 9/16" collet and tightend it little by little checking fit as I went. It worked really well and doesn't look too bad. Don't really know how many have a lathe or mill at home with collets but thought it was a good example of thinking outside the box.