Wrapping Sythetic Seals in PTFE Tape

Post by **bearriver** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:16 am

Two questions. The first is rhetorical.

What view does HD take on using a synthetic that is considered unacceptable from a material safety standpoint?
Should that view change when the synthetic/s are wrapped it in PTFE tape?

There are multiple examples of this subject flying under the radar or going unnoticed when it pops up here HD. Thus I would like to ask what my peers here think.

Post by **sltm1** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:45 am

I did it for a # of years wrapping a pressure cooker gasket. Several wraps enclosed it completely. Recently it broke so I replaced it with a "forever" gasket of cardboard wrapped in PTFE. Just as easy to do and definitely safer in case of leaching.

Post by **S-Cackalacky** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:57 am

I think it comes down to your own confidence in how well the synthetic is blocked from high proof alcohol and vapors. If you believe it is wrapped tight enough and with enough wraps to assure that there is no possibility of exposure, it should be assumed that there is no exposure to the synthetic. But, I'm sure there are differing opinions. It might also depend on where it's located. I'm not so sure I would use a ptfe wrapped synthetic on the inside of the boiler above the wash line, or anywhere a large area would be exposed - for instance, I would have no problem using it on the outside of a boiler for a direct column/riser attachment, but I don't think I would use it for the same purpose on the inside of a stock pot lid.

All that said, if I had a choice of using a ptfe wrapped silcone gasket or a ptfe wrapped cardboard gasket, I would go with the cardboard. I think it would be an ok method if it were to be used below the wash level in the boiler. If you believe it will, in any way, compromise the safety of your still, don't do it. It should be noted that there are enough HD sanctioned ways to create seals that there should be no question as to what to use.

I guess that all sounds a little wishy-washy.

Post by **googe** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:44 am

I see it like, why use a weld putty on a metal join when it's easy enough to just weld it. There's endless options for safe material out there these days, they can make pretty much any shape you need, just need to look.

Post by **still_stirrin** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:14 pm

googe wrote:...why use a weld putty on a metal join when it's easy enough to just weld it...

googe wrote:...There's endless options for safe material out there these days, they can make pretty much any shape you need, just need to look.

Post by **nerdybrewer** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:20 pm

googe wrote:I see it like, why use a weld putty on a metal join when it's easy enough to just weld it. There's endless options for safe material out there these days, they can make pretty much any shape you need, just need to look.

I just this week received a package containing 2 meters of 1/2" ID PTFE hose.
If a person wanted to make a gasket for a big ole pot it seems that splitting this hose and then bonding the ends would be the way to go.

Post by **FreeMountainHermit** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:31 pm

Simply wrapping a questionable material hardly makes it vapor/ liquid tight.
Redneck engineering at best.
Lost track of the newbie builds as well as veteran member builds here where a major factor in the construction is doing it on the cheap.

Hobbies are expensive. Deal with it or take up knitting.

Monkeyman88 · Post by **Monkeyman88** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:57 pm

FreeMountainHermit wrote:Simply wrapping a questionable material hardly makes it vapor/ liquid tight.
Redneck engineering at best.
Lost track of the newbie builds as well as veteran member builds here where a major factor in the construction is doing it on the cheap.

Hobbies are expensive. Deal with it or take up knitting.

Yea. That's why so many people have soggy cardboard gaskets.

If you wrap it properly it's water and vapour tight.

Post by **FreeMountainHermit** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:15 pm

Monkeyman88 wrote:If you wrap it properly it's water and vapour tight.

Prove it.

Monkeyman88 · Post by **Monkeyman88** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:18 pm

Easy. Unwrap a very used everlasting gasket. I've done it twice and both bits of cardboard where in the same condition they were when first wrapped. I used a section of cereal box with colours still on and they hadn't changed at all.

Post by **FreeMountainHermit** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:26 pm

Thank you for your reply and that you were inquisitive enough to check on the durability of your wrap.Nevertheless I will continue to use ptfe gaskets as I prefer a build to be on the industrial strength side for peace of mind.

FMH.

Post by **FreeMountainHermit** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:27 pm

Have you checked for proper sealing during the run ???

I'm sure you have,btw.

Monkeyman88 · Post by **Monkeyman88** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:31 pm

Yup. Zero leaks. Ever.

jb-texshine · Post by **jb-texshine** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 5:48 pm

Bear, I know the post that started you thinkin bout this and my comments probably had something to do with it also. Untill a couple months ago I didn't even know you could purchase a ptfe triclamp gasket. I for one will be purchasing one. Eventually. My silicone gasket is wrapped in four layers of ptfe tape going alternate ways. I am 99% certain its good to use but am still going to replace asap because 1% stops me from being 100% positive.
For the record no one ever recommended for me to wrap my gasket in ptfe, I did so after reading that as a recommendation for the rubber bung on mile hi and brewhaus stills. Personally,I'm going to replace mine for peace of mind. What's ten bucks at the most when I bought all my copper new.
Jb

Post by **bearriver** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:59 pm

Not necessarily jb. I've thought about asking this in the past, and didn't want to take a conversation off-topic.

It seems to me that there is quite a bit of personal experiences on the matter. Seems fair enough to ask about them.

Post by **heartcut** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:14 pm

PTFE Teflon isn't very expensive. A 24 x 24 x 0.10 inch sheet is $10 USD on the first site I googled, it's less in a physical plastic supply in the industrial areas. Cheaper than a liver or kidney.

Post by **heartcut** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:18 pm

jb, I used a rubber bung for years, didn't think about it till I stumbled on this site. It got replaced with copper. Wonder how much of that is hanging around.

CR33G3R · Post by **CR33G3R** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 5:31 am

JB you can get the PTFE gaskets for a couple of bucks a piece. You have to look in industrial supply.
I personally feel better that all of my gaskets are PTFE and I have nothing that is just wrapped.
I will admit that before finding this site and having some years of experience and research I used both a silicone gasket and a rubber bung to hold a thermometer.
I think I did a post on removing the bead on one side of a PTFE gasket for a keg.

Post by **nerdybrewer** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:16 am

I sanded the bead off one side of a PTFE gasket for use on my keg, didn't take long and works great!
IIRC the gasket only cost a few bucks on Ebay.

Here's one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Tri-Clamp-PTF ... 2124475385" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

jb-texshine · Post by **jb-texshine** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:32 am

Lol ,already ordered one. Like I said I was 99% on my wrapped silicon, but that1% is worth 10$including s&h.
new 2" 45deg fitting from local plumbing supply=22$ what is ten...
By the way...i also bought two each hydrometers and alcometers as everyone said how easy they are to break... What the hell yall doin with them,sword fighting!!!! Yes they are glass but damn people!!! What are yall doing to break these things.

Monkeyman88 · Post by **Monkeyman88** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 3:53 am

I know right. I've had the same hydrometer for three years. And my grandfather had it for 30 odd years before me. Lol

CR33G3R · Post by **CR33G3R** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:38 am

Monkeyman88 wrote:I know right. I've had the same hydrometer for three years. And my grandfather had it for 30 odd years before me. Lol

Tempting fate there ...

Post by **S-Cackalacky** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:51 am

CR33G3R wrote:
Monkeyman88 wrote:I know right. I've had the same hydrometer for three years. And my grandfather had it for 30 odd years before me. Lol
Tempting fate there ...

Yep, just put the malluckias on that 30+ yo hydrometer.

Post by **bearriver** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:52 am

Wall hanger.

Post by **Euphoria** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:10 am

FWIW, I've sourced some of my PTFE (Teflon) gaskets and O Rings from both of these places.

http://www.jmesales.com/product/bradfor ... 735,17.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

http://www.oringsandmore.com/teflon-backup-rings/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Post by **nerdybrewer** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:58 am

I got my PTFE hose from here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391168039795" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Shipping was two weeks, but it had to pass customs and travel a fair distance.
It came with a couple small dents in the hose material but no holes so it will work fine.
They could add just a bit more packing material and it probably wouldn't sustain any damage, I'm going to mention that to them.

Post by **raketemensch** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:33 pm

The problem is that they're round, and tend to roll off things. I haven't broken one, but my wife has broken two...

Now I have 2 refractometers (one for spirit, one for wort), which I love and I'll never go back. You only need a drop, and they make diluting to taste cuts dead-simple.

Post by **greggn** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:50 am

If looking for 2" PTFE tri-clover gaskets these are the least expensive I've found anywhere ...

http://www.glaciertanks.com/Teflon_PTFE ... White.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

At $0.90 I bought a bunch.

Sgt Stedenko · Post by **Sgt Stedenko** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:51 am

Monkeyman88 wrote:Easy. Unwrap a very used everlasting gasket. I've done it twice and both bits of cardboard where in the same condition they were when first wrapped. I used a section of cereal box with colours still on and they hadn't changed at all.

Nice.
Do you know the chemical composition of the ink on your cereal box?
A PTFE gasket is about a buck.
Trying to afro engineer a gasket with a questionable core is priceless.
Like others have said.
If you cant afford this hobby, stick to knitting.

Post by **Swedish Pride** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:42 pm

the everlasting gasket is useful for non standard sizes like a bowl to a stockpot..
Also, you are flirting with rule 7 with your statement, don't.

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