I am using the same flanges on my build. How much did you Tin? Pic maybe ? I can't tell from your current pics sorry. I'm thinking just the entire inner side of the flange?
-Halfbaked, Thank you! Yes, this is my second attempt with a slightly different design
-Davsmth41, Yes I only tinned the inside area that is exposed to the vapor path not the surface that will be in contact with the gaskets. Make sure that you flux them up real well and then get them medium hot so that the solder melts easily and then use a dry cotton rag to smear the solder completely around the inside of the flange. Only put flux where you want the solder to stick. It took me a couple times to get the technique down and now it is quick and easy. Good luck!
Thanks. Sounds good. Luckily I'm not a stranger to tinning. I want that pretty brass and didn't want to go to far. I have a few more questions but I will limit them to when I need them lol. Are you making your plates from sheet stock or flattening pipe?
So as you can see I soldered up a few column bodies today with sight glasses..... tomorrow will be drilling out the holes and cleaning up the mess to make them look nice again.
davsmth41 wrote:Thanks. Sounds good. Luckily I'm not a stranger to tinning. I want that pretty brass and didn't want to go to far. I have a few more questions but I will limit them to when I need them lol. Are you making your plates from sheet stock or flattening pipe?
Dave,
I make all of my plates from 1/8" plate and have them roughed out at the water-jet place.
Hey Dan, on top of your Deflag, looks like you dropped in a disc of copper to the first ledge of the brass flange, then followed with one on top?? Question is, are you concerned of pressure or other issues building up between the two discs soldered there? Looks great, great idea too.
Dave-
I was worried about the weight of my condenser and the lateral load of it hanging out there only supported by one disc. There are also six 1/2" discs of 1/8" copper between the two bigger discs for added support and then all soldered together in a sandwich.
-Dan
davsmth41 wrote:Nice. So no area sealed in there that could build up in pressure? It looks really nice. I'd like to copy that with your approval.
Patent pending Dave!! help your self.... Glad you like it! It is sealed because I didn't know how you could keep it cleaned. I am not worried about any pressure from the small amount of air in there and the minor temperature increase.
-Dan
Last edited by dan on Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have a good eye for beauty I think. Main reason I'm making one is I always need a fun project, a reason to acquire more tools, and the art of the craftsman. I was always taught ... Why try to change a good thing when someone else already has done it lol. I hope my craftsmanship meets your quality standards when done. Thanks so much for the help, advice, and ideas.
Dan I see a map gas torch in the back ground. You are not soldering that 4 in column with that are you? If so is it dvm? I like your copper dount rings that hold your sight glasses on. Are you cutting all the flat stuff out with a water jet? It looked like you drilled it with a drill on your plates. Is there a reason you are not using the water jet to drill the holes? How many of these flutes do you make a year? LOVE the tutorial on utube. Are you cutting your holes with the router?
halfbaked wrote:Dan I see a map gas torch in the back ground. You are not soldering that 4 in column with that are you? If so is it dvm? I like your copper dount rings that hold your sight glasses on. Are you cutting all the flat stuff out with a water jet? It looked like you drilled it with a drill on your plates. Is there a reason you are not using the water jet to drill the holes? How many of these flutes do you make a year? LOVE the tutorial on utube.
-HB
I use MAPP for everything and no I do not use DWV tube! That is Type "L" which is just below "K" for being the thickest tube you can get. This time around I got quite a few parts cut at the water-jet place but they cannot drill the perforated plates. For starters the cost would be quadrupled per plate for the amount of time and start/ stops to do it and they cannot blow holes that small from my experience. Thank you for the compliments!! This is my first attempt at producing more than two at a time. I just wanted to see what my time and materials would add up to if I made five of them and simplified the design a little bit. Just going for a minimalist look with lots of options for how to run it..... Pot Still, Plated Column, Plated Column w/ Packed section.... So you can make anything you want just as fast or slow as you want to.
I cut the holes with the hole saw and then clean them up with the router. The hole saw leaves a bit of an uneven ridge around the inside of the sight glass and the router removes that. Then you dress it out further with a 2" flap wheel sander mounted to the drill press.
-Dan
Last edited by dan on Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I got that one on ebay for $30.00, just do a search for 3Keego Hole Saw and make an offer of $30.00 AND free shipping!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/130514190502?ss ... 1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow