Need plumbing help, Liebig project

[Nutmegmooner]

I guess I'm the kind of guy who will spend hours of my time trying to make a freebie work. I was given this really nice copper gas line fitting and besides being beautiful in it's own right, I have been thinking about a new bigger Liebig. So I thought I had acquired what I need, but the reducers I got to go over my 1 1/2" outer jacket, and theoretically over my inner spiral, called a 1 1/2" to 1" reducer. Easy enough, but the 1" end of the reducer is the same id. and od. as the spiraled piece. Is there another type of fitting that I should be looking for? There are other "work arounds" that I can come up with but certainly none so elegant as the right fitting for the right job.
A little help please? Thx!

[ranger_ric]

Cant tell from the pics but would it work to solder nipples to the gas line so you have 1" pipe out of each end of the nipple and then your jacket should fit over the gas line and you solder the tee's to the nipples.. Or did you already cut your 1-1/2" to exactly fit the gas line? If so then solder a coupler and extend the 1-1/2"
Did that make sense?

[MichiganCornhusker]

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Copper-Fittings-130000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Nutmegmooner]

Thanks guys, I just found out that a scrap piece of 3/4 that I have will make a fine "internal" coupling. It's not a tight fit but I know I can make it stick. I'll post a pic or 2 when I get it made up!
Now I need to find out what CxC refers to as opposed to FTGxC with regards to copper fittings as in the Grainger catalog. All the dimensions seem the same. Salesperson on the phone was unable to help. Any plumbers?

[Nutmegmooner]

Just found a link here that explains it. If one googles ftc x c the first link that comes up is on this sight. Amazing body of knowledge here!

[ranger_ric]

Did you get it figured out?

[MichiganCornhusker]

That 1" spiraled piece is way too nice to use inside the condenser. Use it as the outside and get a piece of 1/2" to run through it.

[still_stirrin]

That 1" spiraled piece is way too nice to use inside the condenser. Use it as the outside and get a piece of 1/2" to run through it.

Can you say, "copper porn"?
ss

[carbohydratesn]

As a gas line, it might be flexible copper - if so, it being inside a hard pipe would be sturdier. And it would give you a lot more surface area to condense vapor as the inside compared to using it as the outer pipe.

It sure would be pretty on the outside though...how about a glass over copper Liebig?

[Brutal]

It sure would be pretty on the outside though...how about a glass over copper Liebig?

That would be nice. Might be more durable with a clear PVC hose for a jacket. You could knock that together in no time.

[Nutmegmooner]

Hmmmm, interesting ideas! Glad I haven't started soldering anything yet. 1/2" won't fit inside but what is out there in a clear 1 1/2" for a jacket that is easy to work? 'Course it would tarnish pretty quick.

[still_stirrin]

Hmmmm, interesting ideas! Glad I haven't started soldering anything yet. 1/2" won't fit inside but what is out there in a clear 1 1/2" for a jacket that is easy to work? 'Course it would tarnish pretty quick.

For water jacket, polycarb would work. Look for Lexan tube. You'll need to get copper ends to cap it off tho.
ss

[carbohydratesn]

I didn't even think about synthetics, that would definitely be better than glass.

And because it's not going to touch your distillate at all, just cooling water, you can seal it with some epoxy or another adhesive, instead of solder. This could be a very pretty Liebig!

[ranger_ric]

I agree that would be an awesome Liebig. See that water swirling.

Down side for me would be how hard my water is and it would discolor that plastic pretty quick.

I do however look forward to the video of it running.

GO NutMegMooner GO !!

[Saltbush Bill]

Its a lovely looking spiral, but Id be worried about the spirit pooling in all those hollows and smearing my cuts.

[Nutmegmooner]

I think I can figure an angle to avoid any pools. I'm looking in McM-Carr tomorrow for some 1 1/2 Lexan!

[Drunk-N-Smurf]

Thanks guys, I just found out that a scrap piece of 3/4 that I have will make a fine "internal" coupling. It's not a tight fit but I know I can make it stick. I'll post a pic or 2 when I get it made up!
Now I need to find out what CxC refers to as opposed to FTGxC with regards to copper fittings as in the Grainger catalog. All the dimensions seem the same. Salesperson on the phone was unable to help. Any plumbers?

Your spiral tube is what I (plumber) call a copper flex connector. Typically with hubs on each end which is why the reducer and the tube match diameters.

What you need is just a couple small pieces of 1" pipe to solder into the ends, and you'll be good to go.

With regards to the CxC and FTGxC.

CxC is "copper to copper" meaning it solders onto COPPER pipe on both sides.
FTGxC is "fitting to copper" meaning one side is the same diameter as pipe and solders into a FITTING, the other side solders onto COPPER pipe.

Hope this clears it all up.

[Nutmegmooner]

Here's what she looks like so far. I'm really pleased with the look!
I've been thinking about the smearing factor a little and as it will be used primarily for stripping runs I'm not worried. I built in 2 unions so I can make it vertical, or pretty much any angle I want. It is a full 3" long but I think there are a few inches at the top which will not get any H2O
Questions? Comments?
I'm out to buy a few gallons of vinegar right now!

[still_stirrin]

Schlick!

You may find that a little copper scrubby in the vapor tube (near the bottom of the condenser) helps to slow vapor flow through the condenser a touch to help with the contact time in the condenser and thereby improving the knockdown of it.

While not necessary, I think it would help eliminate potential "puffing" from rapid collapse. I'm sure you can knockdown all the vapors sent to the condenser, just that a steady-state (gradual) condensation is better. Try with and without to see which performs better for you.
ss

[ranger_ric]

NMM
That turned out nice!! be cool to see a video of it running...
The creativity on this site is awesome!
Thanks for sharing this build..

[Brutal]

Awesome