Best place in the US to source copper pipe and fittings

[LeftyStiller]

Hello all. I am in the process of sourcing materials for my first CCVM build to replace my current setup. I am wanting to find a good and hopefully reasonably priced place to source my 2" copper pipe and fittings from.

Anyone have any suggestions? My local Home Depot no longer carries 2" copper.

Thank you,

Lefty

[Bushman]

Having made my first still years ago I bought my 2” at Lowes they no longer carry 2” either. I purchased my 2” at a local hardware store that has been in business since the 30’s, It was a shock how the prices have gone up. I am making my 4th still a smaller one dedicated to gin. Since I don’t use my VM much any more I thought about cutting up that still but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I did find it cheaper at the scrap yard but because I only needed a small piece I went with a new pipe that I purchased by the foot.

[Hillbilly Popstar]

NONE of my local scrap yards will sell to the public.

I've been using this website and I am quite pleased.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/

[Corn Cracker]

I do believe fergusons plumbing and hvac supply is in most bigger cities abroad the country. They even sell 4x8 copper sheets

[elbono]

You can get some stuff at big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot but the selection is very limited.

For pipe I use the local plumbing wholesaler. In my area Southern Pipe and Ferguson are the big ones. Call for prices, they are usually different, probably the one who hasn't updated their prices recently will be lower. Copper has been on a steady upslope lately. Most will sell a 10' piece of pipe, if you have to buy 20' take a cutter with you unless you drive a truck with a rack.

I usually get a better deal and wider selection on fittings from Supplyhouse even after shipping and over $100 shipping is free.

[bunny]

From what I have seen, most CCVM builders are going modular with SS parts. They are definitely less expensive than copper, however the dimensions do not match exactly those of copper. Other means are necessary to put copper into your vapor/liquid stream if you choose to have it there.

Two sources in the PDX area :
Stout Tanks and Kettles, conical-fermenter.com
They are in my neighborhood so I just dropped in and bought a 2x48in spool for $60?
That's a lot less than trying to make one from copper.

Glacier Tanks LLC glaciertanks.com
They are just across the river in Vancouver, WA

[LeftyStiller]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I was able to get 3 sticks (totaling 10') of 2" type L at my local metal salvage for $55. Far cry from the $232 at the plumbing supply. Love to save money. Now for fittings, etc and a bunch of cleaning and polishing on these salvage pipes.

Be well,

Lefty

[elbono]

That's a great deal on the 2".

As bunny mentions sanitary fittings are great. I got most of mine off amazon but recently bought some I couldn't find there (long ferrule 2" & 4") from https://sanitaryfittings.us/ they have a better selection than amazon, maybe a little higher quality but still made in China, prices aren't horrible.

I found them when looking for dimensional data on ferrules, with that and copper pipe dims you see you'll need to remove some material for ferrules to fit in the inside of your type l. A torch and hammer applied judicially would probably do it too.

I call both my stills copper but I have SS triclamp joints between these parts of my CCVM: Keg, column, take off T, stub for RC, elbow to condenser, condenser. I am very glad I did that way it makes assembly, packing placement, disassembly and cleanup pretty easy. I hate to think what that would be like if it was one piece.

[zapata]

google "plumbing supply" and your city. Hit up the local / state / regional supplier. Mine has shockingly good stock and prices and I think they have like 3 or 4 stores in neaby towns and cities.

Also, as many times as I've seen it pop up on various hobby sites, is there not a national list of scrap yards that sell to individuals and / or let you roam the yard?