copper pan scrubbers and needle valves

[wirdip]

Hi folks,

Am at the planning and buying material stage of my project. I am based in the UK (midlands) and would like to be pointed in the direction of a supplier for genuine copper scrubbers and also what sort and size of needle valve do I need for takeoff and where can these be obtained. I have been googling for ages and can find plenty in USA but not UK. Any help please????

Regards Alan

[rad14701]

What still design are you planning on building, a Bokakob...???

Most folks use either a 1/4" or 3/8" (6mm or 10mm...???) needle valve, depending on the size tubing they are using for their product take off branch...

If your stores carry Chore Boy brand, and not the Chinese counterfeits, they are usually 100% copper... Perhaps one of our other members from the UK can be of further assistance in sourcing copper scrubbers...

[thepatchworkdoll]

Hi whirdip
RS online is good for SS needle valves. Scrubbers are a different kettle of fish. I have never seen pure copper ones in the UK to date but mabye someone else can chip in here. I personally got my copper packing from Brewhaus US.
Regards
Thepatchworkdoll

[myles]

To be honest with you, if you are building in copper then I don't see the need for copper packing. I think you are better off with stainless packing. If your still is mostly stainless steel then its different.

For stainless scrubbers Tesco is good. They come in 4 packs and are just right for a 2" column.

I like BES for most bits, http://www.bes.co.uk/products/069.asp

[aqua vitae]

If it's a SS still you have and have trouble finding 100% copper scrubbers you can try copper mesh. Here is one source, I'm sure there are others aswell: http://www.amphora-society.com/Structur ... d_p_6.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[jake_leg]

Mate, don't get the 10 pack "copper pan scourers" from the pound shop, they are plated steel.

Stainless needle valves pop up on ebay from time to time, I used these search parameters:

(SS,STAINLESS,304,316) NEEDLE VALVE

and

(WHITEY, SWAGELOK) VALVE

- a major manufacturer, but without specifying "needle valve" because they are sometimes advertised as "flow control valves" or something like that. You might end up having to order from the States. If you do, try to get the Swagelok or Whitey ones with the compression adapter fittings so you don't have to get expensive and hard to source NPT nipples to attach it to. Although 1/2" and 3/4" BSPT nipples will screw into the same size NPT sockets and seal reasonably well at low pressure with PTFE tape.