Attach return tube to reflux condenser??

[stud_distiller]

Hi, i am new to the forum so dont know if this is the wrong place to ask. I am planning to build a CCVM with 40mm ID pipe i could afford. Winded 3/8 OD copper and to fit it inside 40mm shell i had to cut it. I soldered it afterwards but i want to know if this can be brazed or tig welded or something??

Here is the picture of my jig to wind 3/8 copper around 15mm mandrel, the tube is filled with salt and crimped from both ends. Tapping for a few minutes got rid of the salt inside.


This is final final result from winding




To fit the tube into 40mm shell i had to cut my coil and try to solder edge to edge.
This is the thing i had in mind



And this is my result, it is a bit ugly but no leaks for now.


Used copper wire to fil the gaps around the lips. Because solder just runs from the lips and dont stick.

[RC Al]

I would go find a 90° bend and replace that bit, I ended up with tees as they were out of 90's, crimped the end of a tube to cap the other tee end.

Nice winding at that diameter, hardly flattened it at all

[Winnipeg204]

Nice bending, is your jig cut from a pallet?

[stud_distiller]

Nice bending, is your jig cut from a pallet?

yes it is a pallet, drilled both ends and placed some tube i found in the basement of my apartment.
here some other pics

[Yummyrum]

What you show there is a damn tight return angle .

Your initial cut and fit looks pretty damn good . I think I might have tried to braze it . Braze tends to fill better than solder . Solder will run everywhere as you found .

Having said that , you managed to bind it all together so it doesn't leak using approved materials ... so I’d say use it and love it

Love your jig , love your coil .... it will work just fine .

[stud_distiller]

What you show there is a damn tight return angle .

Your initial cut and fit looks pretty damn good . I think I might have tried to braze it . Braze tends to fill better than solder . Solder will run everywhere as you found .

Having said that , you managed to bind it all together so it doesn't leak using approved materials ... so I’d say use it and love it

Thats what i was thinking but yours approval made me chill about this issue, i will use it as is untill it leaks. In case of a leak i'll take it to an hvac tech to braze it for me, i guess. Thanks a lot for your replies.

[Yummyrum]

Don’t take that the wrong way .
Butt joint soldering is not ideal . But....what you did to wrap it in copper wire forms a structure around the joint that holds and binds the solder around the joint in a similar way to what a pretty coupling or formed bend might do . Might not win Miss pretty joint of the year but will survive Toughest woman of the century that hold it all together ... just say’n

And theres been a lot of them

[stud_distiller]

Don’t take that the wrong way .
Butt joint soldering is not ideal . But....what you did to wrap it in copper wire forms a structure around the joint that holds and binds the solder around the joint in a similar way to what a pretty coupling or formed bend might do . Might not win Miss pretty joint of the year but will survive Toughest woman of the century that hold it all together ... just say’n

And theres been a lot of them

Hahaha the way you desrcibe it cheerd me up it's not gonna look pretty but i but as like you said it will do the trick since it is not going under anny pressure. If i were to sell some parts then i would do a better job of course. The beauty of this hobby occours right on this spot, enjoying what i am doing and sharing with y'all and hearing comments.

[Butch27]

I will say that the joint looks, well lets just say a little rough but you learn by doing. If it doesn't leak it should be just fine. If you were to do it again, I would try slotting the tube used for the mandrel. Then lay the copper tubing in the slot and wind the tubing around it. It may take a heavier pipe for the mandrel than you have used though.