8" plates

[LWTCS]

Some info.

[shadylane]

Thank YA.
And there's keywords and references for more searching.

[NormandieStill]

In general curves are preferred to corners when dealing with fluid dynamics. It might be that there's an slight efficiency drop compared to using round caps. Maybe you can't just compare the circumference. Perhaps you need to have the open areas on the caps aligned with the slots and not put any on or near the corners where the distance from slot to cap is greatest.

As I re-read this I realise that a picture would say a thousand words but I have no means to draw one now. I'll try and sketch up what I'm talking about later.

[shadylane]

I need my head examined. First parts ordered.

3Pcs Copper Sheet - 18 Gauge(1.02mm) Thickness 12" x 12" 99.9%+ Copper Plate
2Pcs 13 quart Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Bucket

The SS buckets can in today, and there's change in plans, I decided it would look like shit.
I'll try using a corny keg for the column. If that doesn't work, then I'll order more copper.

[Copperhead road]

I need my head examined. First parts ordered.

3Pcs Copper Sheet - 18 Gauge(1.02mm) Thickness 12" x 12" 99.9%+ Copper Plate
2Pcs 13 quart Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Bucket

The SS buckets can in today, and there's change in plans, I decided it would look like shit.
I'll try using a corny keg for the column. If that doesn't work, then I'll order more copper.

Shady if you use copper will you use 8” copper pipe of try and fabricate a cylinder from a sheet of copper?
It would be very difficult trying to make a perfectly round diameter cylinder so the plates will seal I think,

[shadylane]

I've searched for 8" copper pipe and haven't found any, so I'd use a 12" X 24" copper and roll it into a cylinder.
The plates would be soldered in so there's no leakage.

[shadylane]

At the moment I'm leaning towards using a corny keg.
There's several of them in the scrap pile that already have holes and assorted fittings from being used as thumpers and other stuff.

[Copperhead road]

I've searched for 8" copper pipe and haven't found any, so I'd use a 12" X 24" copper and roll it into a cylinder.
The plates would be soldered in so there's no leakage.

They do make 8” copper pipe, but I can not seem to find any online either. You could try ringing a big copper tube supplier, maybe it’s more of a special order type thing,

[Copperhead road]

I've searched for 8" copper pipe and haven't found any, so I'd use a 12" X 24" copper and roll it into a cylinder.
The plates would be soldered in so there's no leakage.

They do make 8” copper pipe, but I can not seem to find any online either. You could try ringing a big copper tube supplier, maybe it’s more of a special order type thing,

[shadylane]

8" would be special order and crazy expensive.

[Saltbush Bill]

Gonna need to win Lotto to go down that path.

[shadylane]

I haven't forgot the 8" build.
Christmas is getting in the way and there's 3 generations of offspring that thinks my time should spent on them.
Once I get back to work, the first job is figure out the shell. Started out to use SS buckets but decided that was too flimsy and ugly.
Another option is to sacrifice a couple corny kegs, they're the right size and durable but would look utilitarian.
Or I could drag out the hammer and go full blown copper porn.
Another question is whether to go modular and make 8" tri-clamp ferrules or permanently solder the parts together or use copper flanges and bolts.
It would be nice to be able to disassemble the 8 incher so I could experiment and modify the plates if I want to.

[Saltbush Bill]

Make it modular, maybe a combination of 1, 2 and 3 plate moduals, youll have a more versitile still and be able to run any combination/ number of plates.
Without soldering plates your biggest enemy is leakage between plate and column wall, but you already know that.

[Copperhead road]

I agree with Salty and think modular is the way to go, as for the shell I would definitely fabricate it from Copper.

[shadylane]

I agree with Salty and think modular is the way to go, as for the shell I would definitely fabricate it from Copper.

Maybe build it in three sections, this way I could add more plate sections if needed..
Looks like I'd need 4 ferules and 2 clamps or make some flanges out of the 1/4" copper plate laying around.

[Windy City]

Here is a current price for 8" type L from Ferguson

Screenshot 2025-12-29 at 8.28.41 AM.png

Pretty costly

[shadylane]

Here is a current price for 8" type L from Ferguson

Pretty costly

$370 per foot.
Plan B is to buy a 24" x 36" sheet of copper to roll my own cylinder and have enough left over to build the end caps.

[Copperhead road]

Here is a current price for 8" type L from Ferguson

Pretty costly

$370 per foot.
Plan B is to buy a 24" x 36" sheet of copper to roll my own cylinder and have enough left over to build the end caps.

That price is outrageous, the dollars really jump up with the bigger diameter.

[shadylane]

This isn't going to be a cheap build. I figure $300 in copper and another $400 in fittings to make it sexy.
On a side note.
I once built a 12"ish dia sieve plate out of very thin copper foil. It needed copper wires soldered to the foil for structural strength.
It was butt ugly and a pain in the ass trying to keep the plate perfectly level.

[Copperhead road]

This isn't going to be a cheap build. I figure $300 in copper and another $400 in fittings to make it sexy.
On a side note.
I once built a 12"ish dia sieve plate out of very thin copper foil. It needed copper wires soldered to the foil for structural strength.
It was butt ugly and a pain in the ass trying to keep the plate perfectly level.

Are you going to just start off with 2 plates Shady?

[shadylane]

Yes 2 plates.

[Windy City]

[/quote]

$370 per foot.
Plan B is to buy a 24" x 36" sheet of copper to roll my own cylinder and have enough left over to build the end caps.
[/quote]

Are you going to weld, braze or solder it?
I have always wanted to roll my own copper to make larger columns.
I will definitely be watching this.
On a side note I have two ten footers of 6" type L that I have been saving for something special

[Bolverk]

I have always wanted to roll my own copper to make larger columns.
[/quote]

Me too, ive been obsessed with the idea of a 3 chamber but there aren't any great small scale options. So the working idea was to get a bunch of 12" weld ferrules and some sheet and make my own 12x18 chambers.

[LWTCS]

I have always wanted to roll my own copper to make larger columns.

Me too, ive been obsessed with the idea of a 3 chamber but there aren't any great small scale options. So the working idea was to get a bunch of 12" weld ferrules and some sheet and make my own 12x18 chambers.
[/quote]

12 x 18? Or 18 x 12? 12 high better for your limited height no?

[Bolverk]

12" diameter x 18" tall. Ive seriously considered 12x12 because they are readily available, but that would only be like 3 working gals per chamber

[Bolverk]

12" d x 18" tall. Ive seriously considered 12x12 because they are readily available, but that would only be like 3 working gals per chamber

[shadylane]

Things I just ordered to build the plate section.
1ft X 10ft X 18 gage (1mm) thick copper sheet. $375 plus shipping
Two SS 8" tri-clamp ferules $50
Two copper 3" ferules and clamp on glass windows. $180

[shadylane]

Here's a question, my original plan was to have 2 plates in a common shell.
Since I only plan on needing 2 plates this would save on ferules, clamps and welding.
Or should I go full modular and have each plate individual?

[30xs]

Just a thought, but how many times would you ever run just one plate? Maybe build one section as 2 plates and then you could build single plate sections to add if desired.

[shadylane]

I agree but two individual plates would be sexier, even if it means two more ferules and clamps.
Most likely the decision will be made after I try tig welding copper sheet to a SS ferule .
Here's what I'll try if it doesn't work then plan B.