Exhaust flange Question

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strangebrew
Novice
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:22 pm
Location: LA ----Lower Alabama

Exhaust flange Question

Post by strangebrew »

Well at long last I have all the parts I need to start construction. My pop is going to help me build my pot still and the first thing that comes out of his mouth is "that flange in gonna rust". :? He has been a sheetmetal worker for the last 40 or so years, so I'm compelled to listen to him when he says somthing like that. I know only a small bit if the inside of the flange will be exposed to the vapors but it's got me worried now. I am seriously thinking about making the hole a bit bigger with a die grinder so that the copper pipe will fit through the flange and be silver saudererd directly, solving the rust issue all together. I have already bought a 2 inch coupling to braze to the top of the flange but would have rather of wasted $7.50 than have to deal with a part constantly wanting to rust. What yall think?
Hootch
Novice
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:53 pm

Post by Hootch »

I did as you are proposing. Enlarged hole with die gringer and passed 2" copper through hole and silver soldered. Works fine.
Longhairedcountryboy
Swill Maker
Posts: 315
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:30 am
Location: Michigan

Post by Longhairedcountryboy »

I found an all copper exaust flange. Its made by Mr. Gasket Co. http://www.mrgasket.com Part no. 7176c. I bought one for $15 at the local auto store. 2 1/2" I.D. is the smallest they make so I'm going to have to order a 2 1/2" to 2" reducer for my 2" column. I think it should work.
linearone
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Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Rotten Apple, USA

Post by linearone »

I duno guy, I used lots of exhaust flanges from them and they never made a copper one. I am pretty sure that is a copper gasket, not a flange. I could be wrong though.

I bought a 2" exhaust flange (steel) from meineke for $3.00. I then chucked it up in my lathe in a 3 jaw chuck (helped to center the shape) and slowly bored out another 1/8" it fit so well I had to call my friends and boast about it! oh, and another thing. Everyone kept telling me to silver braze the copper column to the steel flange... why? brazing rod is what is designed to bond these two metals together, I used regular old brazing rod and it is super strong and flowed beautifully, you just need to be able to supply enough heat (oxy-acetylene).
linearone
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Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:59 pm
Location: Rotten Apple, USA

Post by linearone »

the next option I would have taken would to have just had a flange made at the machine shop out of solid copper plate. I drew a pic for it and everything. I was going to use 1/4" thick plate with 5 bolt holes with an identical one under the lid to fully back it up to prevent cover flex etc, leading to leaks. the flange worked out fine though.
fahdoul
Bootlegger
Posts: 125
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 5:02 pm

Post by fahdoul »

While you are soldering it, tin (cover with a light coat of solder) the entire flange. That will provide a protective coating.
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