How to coil copper tubing?

[brodywx]

Hello everybody,

I just finished reading The Compleat Distiller and I'm ready to spend all my money chasing the dream. I know nothing about anything except for the chemistry of how distillation works. The plumbing mechanics will be a "learn as I go" ordeal.

So my first question is how to coil 1/4" copper tubing (I got from an ice maker installation kit) into a tight reflux coil without crimping. And I don't want to put the time into making a grooved mold (yet). I'm going to make just a single coil for now with an inside diameter of about 1 1/4". I'm assuming my column is going to be about 2", unless you guys think it's better to go with a bigger diameter column?

I read the trick of putting salt in the tube and it worked quite well when I tried it with a small peice, but I fear it might be too difficult to pack a 15' peice with salt. So I was thinking Is it possible to fill the tube with water and then seal the ends off in order to do the same job as packing it with salt?