My New Condensor

[Hack]

I just redid my column with 2" copper pipe a month or so ago and I used a regular propane torch. If your flux is turning black before you are getting the whole joint hot enough it means you are getting too much localized heat that burns the flux but doesn't heat the entire joint. The answer is actually to move the torch farther away from the joint, down the section of pipe or fitting away from the joint. This allows the heat to spread out and heat the joint pretty much evenly. Be patient allow time for the joint to heat up. If you've got everything clean and fluxed it should work. You'll be waiting, waiting, waiting for it to heat up and than it will all flow as pretty as can be.

Hope that helps.

[myles]

Was that a missprint? 2% silver solder? The solders I have been using are 49% and 56%. 49% first to hold the bits together then 56% as it has a lower melting point to fill the seams.

[punkin]

I only use oxy/acetylene, so the only help i can be here is to suggest you borrow a torch?

Really does make what sounds like a hard job simple, and you can go over your joints with the flame once again to ensure a good flow and no leaks.

Once you start assembling this sucker, there's no going back to fix a pinhole

[Hornblower]

I only use oxy/acetylene, so the only help i can be here is to suggest you borrow a torch?

Really does make what sounds like a hard job simple, and you can go over your joints with the flame once again to ensure a good flow and no leaks.

Once you start assembling this sucker, there's no going back to fix a pinhole

Yeah, you know it! I am on my third try at one joint and am sh**scared of continuing, only find out it has an internal leak when I get to the end. That would suck. I'm going to go begging for a loan of an oxy torch. cheers HH

[HookLine]

Was that a missprint? 2% silver solder? The solders I have been using are 49% and 56%. 49% first to hold the bits together then 56% as it has a lower melting point to fill the seams.

I use 2% silver braze, and 4% silver soft solder.

[Hornblower]

Pressure test time for my Punkindensor didn't go so well today .
Its pretty much My worst nightmare came true.

Here is the finished unit

StillFail1.jpg

Basically , I hooked up water in & capped water out. Then, if there were any poor joints, water will appear inn the vapor ports.
You can guess what happened...

StillFail2.jpg

That's the vapor in port looking like a faucet.

Looks like the leak is from the cut down 1" elbow on the vapour in side.

Before I take an angle grinder to it, is there anything I can do? I cant think of anything short of cutting off the ends & rebuilding. I'm a little bit upset right now....

Thoughts?

HH

edit: I solved my welding troubles earlier by making friends with a plumber. all of the joints were done with oxy. Looks like ill be friendly again!