Alignment of column elements.
My mate did me an awesome favour by silver soldering the ferrules to my components. A am most thankful. However when they are clamped together they do not create a neat vertical column and there are some deviations in the perpendicular. It's driving me nuts, they are not overly exaggerated but man I see it every time I look at it. Before I create a jig to sort it out what would be the easiest way to get them aligned.
Believer in function and form.
Aligning ferrules on column elements.
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Aligning ferrules on column elements.
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
Andrew, you could cover the column in a little coat.
Not skin tight, which would show up imperfections.
As with high class clothes, it is the way it hangs/ drapes that will be important.
Can't remember the advantages or otherwise of insulation.
But if you want to insulate it use something that will keep it warm.
If not use something as light as a mesh material in maybe a brightish colour that will
keep attention from the actual column even if the column is more or less visible.
And call your still by a nice girl's name...
It is what you THINK you see that matters.
As every stylish girl, and man too, knows.
Geoff
Not skin tight, which would show up imperfections.
As with high class clothes, it is the way it hangs/ drapes that will be important.
Can't remember the advantages or otherwise of insulation.
But if you want to insulate it use something that will keep it warm.
If not use something as light as a mesh material in maybe a brightish colour that will
keep attention from the actual column even if the column is more or less visible.
And call your still by a nice girl's name...
It is what you THINK you see that matters.
As every stylish girl, and man too, knows.
Geoff
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
Like Geoff says,, wrap them in reflectix bubble wrap or a neoprene sleeve for insulation. Unless they are so far out of plumb that it affects the falling reflux, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
An added bonus to an insulating wrap is that you want see the patina and be tempted to shine all that copper.
Insulating the sections will help keep the temperature consistent in the column and help on your reflux runs.
An added bonus to an insulating wrap is that you want see the patina and be tempted to shine all that copper.
Insulating the sections will help keep the temperature consistent in the column and help on your reflux runs.
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
It is important that the column be aligned in a vertical manner, especially in refluxing situation..
As there is no way of re-aligning now other than un-soldering them and re-soldering.. I would align them by marking them in an order that would align them in the setting up..
Select the one end that is most vertical of all the ferrules on the column pieces, as the base one and give a marking of some kind, as "B". then on to the next one (column piece) and see how either end of the pipe ferrule align with the top of the base column ferrule.. and those two ferrule are marked as to their own position.. and so on until they align as vertical as can be expect..
Mars
As there is no way of re-aligning now other than un-soldering them and re-soldering.. I would align them by marking them in an order that would align them in the setting up..
Select the one end that is most vertical of all the ferrules on the column pieces, as the base one and give a marking of some kind, as "B". then on to the next one (column piece) and see how either end of the pipe ferrule align with the top of the base column ferrule.. and those two ferrule are marked as to their own position.. and so on until they align as vertical as can be expect..
Mars
" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein
– Albert Einstein
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
Try turning the parts to see if you can make two crooked's into a straight.Andrew_90 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:12 am Alignment of column elements.
My mate did me an awesome favour by silver soldering the ferrules to my components. A am most thankful. However when they are clamped together they do not create a neat vertical column and there are some deviations in the perpendicular. It's driving me nuts, they are not overly exaggerated but man I see it every time I look at it. Before I create a jig to sort it out what would be the easiest way to get them aligned.
Believer in function and form.
Then wrap some insulation around the column.
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
I have tried to get the match to offset. It works to some degree. The worst arr the T piece and then the top portion for the reflux coil. I can cover them up but I will know they are skew. Would rather fix them now than being irritated for the life of the still.
Today I met someone who has an acetylene torch, v blocks and right angled plates, and the desire to assist me. So the plan is to put the tube onto the v blocks and to have the right angled plate at the ferrule. Soften the sliver solder and push the right angled pate against ferrule, that should square her up.
Today I met someone who has an acetylene torch, v blocks and right angled plates, and the desire to assist me. So the plan is to put the tube onto the v blocks and to have the right angled plate at the ferrule. Soften the sliver solder and push the right angled pate against ferrule, that should square her up.
One too many wasted sunsets, one too many for the road.
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
Love the pic, I can imagine that in a briefcase. Hitman distilling kit.
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Re: Aligning ferrules on column elements.
It seem like the ferrules were really off.. the plan seem good or at least worth the try.. just check the joint repairred by capping off the ferrule and filling the column with water, before moving on to the next..Andrew_90 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:15 pm Today I met someone who has an acetylene torch, v blocks and right angled plates, and the desire to assist me. So the plan is to put the tube onto the v blocks and to have the right angled plate at the ferrule. Soften the sliver solder and push the right angled pate against ferrule, that should square her up.
The trouble with soldering ferrules to a column, is that the column base needs to be squared, and ferrule held in place firmly.. that can be done by making small tabs using fine copper wire, positioning 2 - 4 of these in place to take up the looseness that occur, then rechecking for squareness before soldering.. if done in this manner, the ferrule will stay square..
Mars
" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein
– Albert Einstein