3 inch RC help

[shadylane]

Have you thought about adding one more tube in the middle where a hole already is?
Here's a 2.5" dephleg I built a while back, the end plate is concave so any reflux that pools on top can drain down the center tube.

[Corn Cracker]

Have you thought about adding one more tube in the middle where a hole already is?
Here's a 2.5" dephleg I built a while back, the end plate is concave so any reflux that pools on top can drain down the center tube.

Yessir, 6 and 1 in the middle.
1st plate drilled out perfectly, 2nd not so much
I think i can spread the holes a little closer to the edge

[Salt Must Flow]

Corn Cracker if you want, let me know what the OD of your disk is, the OD of your pipes and I can create a template that you can print.

[MooseMan]

Take him up on that offer CC, that's what I did for my shotty build.

You can use imaging software to get the perfect spacing, then just print and stick the templates onto your plates and punch.
But don't be a dickhead and use double sided tape, like I did, unless you really like cleaning sticky shit off copper.

IMG_20250222_122008_569.jpg

Like this

[Yummyrum]

Nice Moose .
Just looking at that I can see that there are exactly three circles across . Should be a piece of piss with a ruler and a compass to work that out .

I think I could do it without a fancy computer .

But might need a calculator though . …. Brain don’t do math like it used to .

[MooseMan]

Yeah it was so easy to do, I just remembered, I actually found a website where you simply enter the dims and it fills the circle for you!

[Corn Cracker]

Corn Cracker if you want, let me know what the OD of your disk is, the OD of your pipes and I can create a template that you can print.

THANKS, that would be a big help
3 inch type k is 2.907 id
½ inch type L is 0.625 od,


I tried google docs for a template, that was frustrating.
I had planned on trying something else but went with ancient techiques. My step bit tip is aparently worn out and it walked a little. Gotta drill a hole then use the step bit on the next one.

[BigSwede]

Yessir, 6 and 1 in the middle.
1st plate drilled out perfectly, 2nd not so much
I think i can spread the holes a little closer to the edge

CornCracker, I think those holes really do need to be closer to the rim of the circle. The end result as it is now would have a pretty hefty void space around the outside of the tubes, maybe limiting water flow to the interior of the tube cluster.

[Salt Must Flow]

Corn Cracker if you want, let me know what the OD of your disk is, the OD of your pipes and I can create a template that you can print.

THANKS, that would be a big help
3 inch type k is 2.907 id
½ inch type L is 0.625 od,


I tried google docs for a template, that was frustrating.
I had planned on trying something else but went with ancient techiques. My step bit tip is aparently worn out and it walked a little. Gotta drill a hole then use the step bit on the next one.

Try printing this file and let me know if it is not the right size. I drew the template perfectly, but I'm having trouble exporting the file to PDF, JPEG, BMP or a format that I can share without losing the drawing's proportions.

[Corn Cracker]

Corn Cracker if you want, let me know what the OD of your disk is, the OD of your pipes and I can create a template that you can print.

THANKS, that would be a big help
3 inch type k is 2.907 id
½ inch type L is 0.625 od,


I tried google docs for a template, that was frustrating.
I had planned on trying something else but went with ancient techiques. My step bit tip is aparently worn out and it walked a little. Gotta drill a hole then use the step bit on the next one.

Try printing this file and let me know if it is not the right size. I drew the template perfectly, but I'm having trouble exporting the file to PDF, JPEG, BMP or a format that I can share without losing the drawing's proportions.

Thanks, the outer ring is 2mm smaller but easily fixable with the compass, everything else is perferct, thank you

[Corn Cracker]

Corn Cracker if you want, let me know what the OD of your disk is, the OD of your pipes and I can create a template that you can print.

20260523_234133.jpg

Thanks SMF, i got the ends and tubes brazed together ladt night, I will get the shell completed today, after I play auto mechanic today and replace the ac system in the car. I opted to braze braze it all instead of soldering, hoping I don't mess up a soft solder joint while heating up for the next one. This is type K thick wall so I will have to aneal the ends of the shell to flare and accommodate for the ferrules. More pics to come.

[BigSwede]

Good one CC! I am a bit whimpy when it comes to brazing... I always seem to over or underheat. What success I have had comes with the high % silver braze on really tight joints. That stuff flows like water and any seam or opening pulls it in to vanish forever, and not close any sort of gap. What sort of braze did you use here? It looks like it created a respectable fillet.

[Corn Cracker]

Good one CC! I am a bit whimpy when it comes to brazing... I always seem to over or underheat. What success I have had comes with the high % silver braze on really tight joints. That stuff flows like water and any seam or opening pulls it in to vanish forever, and not close any sort of gap. What sort of braze did you use here? It looks like it created a respectable fillet.

For copper to copper, both have to be orange, the melting brazing rod or solder will go to where the flame/heat is. In this case I was heating the bottom of the plate and feeding the rod from the top, once I went around a pipe I moved the the flame to top with the rod, laid the end of the rod on the joint and put the flame on it till it melted and went all the way around like this to form a cap of sorts, to do this you want the flame to hit the the rod (with a little less heat so hold the the torch tip back a,bit further), and melt it so the brazing material melts but stays put. I believe they are silfos 15 brazing rods, I will check tomorrow.