Right size/type copper condenser

[distillusion]

Hey guys,

I've got a few questions, and if there is a post all about this then I apologize that I couldn't find it, or at least couldn't find exactly what I needed to know. I thought I would ask here, so here goes:

In a design I am wanting to use 5/8" O.D (outside diameter) copper pipe for the condenser and coil running off a 1" copper start on a 12 quart pot still.

1. What 'type' of copper pipe should one seek out for hand bending? K, L, or M? Hard, soft?
2. Is 5/8" O.D 'too big' for for a coil condenser on a still this size? If so, what size would be optimal?

Next, I want to bend the pipe into a pretty small diameter coil that when finished would result in a coil that is roughly 4-5" outside diameter.

3. In hand bending such a small diameter coil with 5/8" pipe, would one benefit from heating the pipe while bending?
4. Is it worth the cost to purchase a small hand pipe bender? (They are online for 30 or so dollars or more...)

Thanks for any information!

p.s. I haven't introduced myself on the newcomer forum yet because I am waiting to get some nice copper work photos first.

[aaronj8083]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=18123

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=11554

That should clear up most of your questions. Its in the New distiller reading lounge with a whole bunch of other good stuff.

[Prairiepiss]

No need to wait for an intro.

5/8" OD is what most around here call 1/2" copper pipe. You can buy it in a coil. What most call soft copper. This is what you want. As far as grade? What ever soft copper you can get your hands on will work. A 4 to 5x coil shouldn't be that hard. There are some good threads about winding coils around here. Just take your time. It's not a race.

[distillusion]

I'd already read the bending tutorial before my original post; however, my first attempt (which I didn't want to talk about...) resulted in 2 kinks on a $30 copper coil. It seems to me the 1/2 pipe just doesn't want to bend into a tight 4" O.D coil. I even used the spring assisters, but the tube kinked right inside them and I spent 20 minutes trying to get the spring off the kink. Now I am left with 8' of good pipe and 2' bad pipe because of two kinks - sigh.

I would like to know if heat would help at all. Should one heat the copper near and along the bend with a torch to warm and soften it up a bit while bending it, or would that make it more susceptible to flatting around the iron pipe jig? Also, has anyone tried the filling with sand technique, does that work at all?

[acfixer69]

If you used a ridgid 358 tube bender $$$ with 5/8 OD ACR tube you might get the results. you are looking for but that will be a job with lots of annealing along the way.
AC

Edit that's a geared head so after more thought that may not work past 180 degress

[acfixer69]

why such a large dia for a 12qt still and tight radius.

AC

[Prairiepiss]

It should be soft allready. Don't uncoil it from the package. And go slow. I mean real slow. Salt or sand may help.

But if you heat it up. And soften it up more. It will flatten easier.or at least that what happens to me.

[distillution]

why such a large dia for a 12qt still and tight radius.

AC

Is 1/2" O.D too big you think? If I step it down, what would be the safest and smallest I could go in pipe diameter for a still that size?

Thanks for all the input so far

[Propaniac]

I'm no expert, but with a still that small I think 1/4" ID works good. I plan on making a 10-15 gallon one with a 3/8" ID worm myself. Also, I'm not sure if you were already doing it, but I heard that filling the pipe with salt/sand/sugar works good to help avoid kinks, and you can wrap it around a fence post to make it easier. Good luck.